Fourteen years ago, I became a proud member of NASCAR nation. Even though I knew nothing about cars and couldn’t even drive a stick shift, I faithfully watched each week’s Sunday race and usually watched the Saturday race too. If I had to be away from a TV, I was sure to listen to it on radio. I planned my weekend around it. I convinced my husband to name our second born son after Dale Jarrett. I was no fair weather fan.
As a teenager in the 80’s, I was an avid spectator; indoor soccer, baseball, hockey, lacrosse, tennis–I watched a ton of events. I listened to Baltimore Orioles games on the radio and scored them at home. If Mike Boddicker or Storm Davis were pitching, it was a great day for me, no matter the outcome. And then sports changed. It became all about the money and I lost interest.
When I found NASCAR, I couldn’t picture a day when I wouldn’t follow the sport. Boy, was I wrong.
I’ve officially lost interest in NASCAR. We’re three races into the season and Jimmy Johnson has already won two races. I’ve only watched one of the three races (Daytona), because I don’t like the large flat tracks NASCAR relies on. Fontana and Las Vegas are snore-fests for me. I suppose I should be excited that this week’s race didn’t end in a green, white, checker because it seems that’s the way every other winner is determined. Nothing like investing an entire afternoon to have only the last 5 or 10 laps count for anything. Or to have Jimmy Johnson or Jeff Gordon win yet again.
Maybe my zeal will return when they return to Richmond, Bristol, & Dover. I felt a stirring when Dale Jr. made an appearance at the tail end of Daytona and I was excited with his second place finish. But it’s back to the Johnson & Gordon show and I’m going to search for something better on TV.