Talladega Tidbits
by Andy Belmont-Staff Writer and ARCA Series Driver
09/30/2003

Talladega has come and gone. More than a few thoughts had raced through my mind as I came up the highway. It's 358 miles from the shop in Huntersville, NC to the garage area at Talladega, Alabama. OR at least that is what I wrote in the transporter log book. The truck turned 800,000 miles this season. This is an old Ryder work truck and it for sure wont win the prize for the prettiest hauler coming in the gate. It is functional, not pretty. But, it's paid for.

I will be glad when this season is over. Hopefully, all of the misfortune will have been crammed into one season and we can maybe enjoy next year. We will see. Right now we have a month of appearances and show car dates to get on with and build some new cars after this weekends demolition derby. Right now, I am just thankful for my family. Wrecked race cars can be fixed.

Do you know the difference between the Winston Cup and the ARCA RE/MAX Series? In the ARCA Series, the drivers still drive their motorcoaches to the race track...some of us even drive the haulers.

I blew a right front in happy hour and destroyed our speedway car. God works miracles one at a time. I got to walk away from this one. I am certain that I have used a couple of my lives up with the crash this week and the flip at Daytona a few years back. The power of prayer.

I am not sure I can comprehend what happened next. With little or no real good options facing us, Brack Maggard offered us the use of his car, one his company has paid dearly for him to race. Then, Vern Slagh offered the use of his race car and engine. Truth be known, I think it was a better piece than what we started with. Vern gave us a great car with a legitimate chance to win the race. We cut a tire and lost a lap changing it, and never could get the lap back. But, at least we ran in the lead draft most of the day trying to get it back.

ARCA penalized us on the last restart for pulling up in the lapped car lane too soon. All the cars with fenders falling off that were waving us bye was simpy too obvious I suppose. Still, it was a great race with a great car. Thank you Vern and family simply isn't enough. But, it makes a statement about the kind of folks that are in our garage area. Real people with a genuine regard for one another. Well most of us anyway. I would say the "over 35 group". We still wear our ball caps forward and our pants actually fit yada, yada, yada.

Listening to the radio broadcast of the race, it saddens me to know that the new millenium fan will never know just how great of a driver Bobby Allison was. Same for Davey. Frankly, they know only DW and Benny for their commentary. Hopefully, more will be done to preserve the history and careers of these great drivers. There have been so many who did so much for this sport. Reality is, the new era management doesn't give a damn about where we came from.

I will get crucified for this, but why is it that every new "innovation" by the mother ship is the second coming?

First and foremost, ARCA hasn't raced back to the caution for years. It ain't rocket science. Mandatory head and neck systems? Long before they were designed, ARCA drivers had to use a neck collar. Roof Flaps? They didn't work then and they don't work now. Remember Daytona in '95? We were the first car to fly with roof flaps. They been doing it ever since. Six point harnesses? Give me a break. When was the last time a "guru" looked at an F-1 car? How about an unlimited Hydro? Six point harnesses have been around for years. OH! And now we have the roof escape hatch? Guess the innovative minds have never been to a drag race huh? Does the name Snake or Mongoose ring a bell? Escape hatches have been on Funny cars forever. Oh right, the mother ship doesn't recognize other forms of motorsports.

Gettin' loud AB, Gettin' loud.....

It just frustrates the living hell out of me. Who is the greatest race car driver of all time? Well, I didn't get to see Juan Manuel Fangio race, but the record speaks for itself. Michael Schumacher is embarking on breaking Fangio's record. Donohue and Gurney come to mind. I did get to live through the Bobby Allson/Richard Petty era. Even raced with the King while he was making laps. I am sorry folks, but there isn't a driver out there today that is in the class of these gentlemen. Talent or Class. These guys have forgotten more about talent and class than most any of us will ever have.

The general media has been describing the top level of stock car racing as the WWF. What is the hysteria about? Aren't we the circus with wheels? Top Gun with wheels? Well almost