Hey boys and girls. I normally wouldn’t make a comment on one of my articles preferring to allow everyone to speak their minds, but I had to clear up a few things from some of the ‘bashers’. So here you go:
Jerry: Bruton Smith never considered forming a stock car series prior to the France family. I know I’ve asked him. He developed Charlotte Motor Speedway after NASCAR was formed to become part of the growing sport. I have also spoken to Daytona Beach police chief Mike Chitwood on more then one occasion. He’s a tough former New York City policeman who would never even think about allowing someone in his department to cover up anything. In fact I know of at least one officer who was fired over allegations that he tried to cover up something. As for the France incident you describe, I was working at the Orlando FOX News affiliate the night it allegedly occurred. I got a ‘tip’ from someone but Daytona Beach PD said there wasn’t even a report made because they had no probable cause, nor had the even gotten a complaint about it… meaning nothing of the sort ever happened.
Overra88ted: You are exactly the type of person I was writing about.
Gina: If you count yourself as an unhappy customer, well that’s fine…let me show you the door…
Bob: I’ve been around racing since the early 1970’s as a fan, a crewman and a racer. I’m sorry my writing style doesn’t suit you, oh wait never mind I don’t care what you think about it. And I’ll add that you are far from being a critic. Hey Gina wait for Bob.
danny k.: I didn’t mention the book because A. I don’t want to give him any publicity and B. Since I am not a literary critic I don’t think its fair to slam someone then mention him or her by name.
dawg: Hey Gina just stand there for a minute and hold that door please.
Kate: I refuse to spend money on a book that I know is filled with nothing but baseless old war stories. I read enough of it to form an opinion. And as I said I’ve been around this sport since the 1970’s so yes I know what’s going on. For you to try and slam Ramsey Posten is wrong. I may not be a best buddy with him, but I know him well enough to have enough respect not to try and publicly berate him. I never called Flowers a crank but I do still believe he has an agenda and will not try and put him on some pedestal as someone who is trying to save NASCAR. He’s trying to sell books and make money, nothing more. And as a later poster pointed out, police records are a matter of public record and having been a reporter for over a decade I know how to find out just about anything I need to. As to your later comment, I talked to Chief Chitwood he could find nothing, and that’s good enough for me.
As for credentials I’ve been getting mine just fine since 1981. And you?
acrim: you belong with Overra88ted at the door, move along now.
Comments
Spot on Greg.
The "bashers" for the most part are just that bashers, and bring nothing but hot air and bluster to the table.
If wild conspiracy theories and unsubstantiated allegations are what you're looking for look no further than the "bashers."
Hey Greg,
I thought the "critic/basher" article was one of your best. I appreciate a writer who will step out and tell it like it is, that's why I read you. Also, if you just write about the same ole boring stuff every other guy does, it's not worth my while to read. AND, just a note to all those who hammered GE for wondering what might happen if JM is proven guilty of smoking meth, IT ALWAYS TASTES BETTER TO EAT CROW WHILE IT'S STILL WARM...HERE'S A FORK! Cudos to the Greg with one "G"!
Wonder what the resident "Bashers" think now that Mayfiled has tested positive AGAIN for Meth?
Not to mention an affidavit offered by his step mother claiming she's witnessed him taking Meth thirty times over the last seven years.
Kate, and the rest of you like-minded folk what's the answer, she was paid-off by the "evil" and "corrupt" NASCAR right?
Are you from Mars? You can't really be part of the media - your article makes too much sense. Thank you.
keep sucking up the the kingdom. You've got to be a Michael (POS) Waltrip fan! LMAO!
Hey Greg-
First time posting here but I realy enjoyed these two articles. It's always good to see the bashers getting called out. I've worked off and on in the sport since '85, doing everything from hauling Hoosiers to employee accounting so I got to see some aspects of the business that most folks don't get to see. You're spot on by pointing out that NASCAR is a "for profit" entity and in order to continue to be profitable, NASCAR has to change and evolve-whether the "old timers" like it or not. It's been talked to death about the "alienation" of the sport's blue-collar, mostly deep southern core fanbase and the invasion of Toyota, the COT and how these things are "killing" (for lack of better word) the racing. There's always something that can be tweaked for the better-be it safety, promotion and growth of the sport-that's why I love to listen to a good critic. Bashers, on the other hand, are simply there to hear themselves, offering no solutions, only discord. Thanks Greg.
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