| So I read a statistic that claims 1 in 3 Americans are | | | | Stewart and Kyle Petty) even have their own charity |
| NASCAR fans, that equates to over 100 million | | | | foundations. |
| people. Are we to believe that a full third of the | | | | In the movie Ricky and his best friend Cal Naughton |
| American population do not deserve the making of a | | | | Jr. (they just had to get a Junior in there) apparently |
| true quality NASCAR Movie? Now when I say true, | | | | gang up against the French rookie (Ricky's |
| what I mean is a movie that reflects the reality of | | | | teammate) to win races and presumably the |
| the sport, not fantasy. Great stories have drama, | | | | championship. Again this makes me wonder, is this a |
| suspense, anticipation, characters, a beginning and an | | | | message NASCAR wanted to send when they |
| end. Can anyone argue that all of these elements are | | | | waved the green flag to make this movie? I'm not |
| not part of every NASCAR race? All 36 of them! | | | | sure, but doesn't this border on discrimination? I was |
| And this doesn't even consider the story lines that | | | | under the impression NASCAR had a diversity |
| build from the first race at Daytona to the final race | | | | program in place to attract people from anywhere |
| at Miami/Homestead. | | | | and from all walks of life. In recent years NASCAR |
| Over the years, Hollywood has tried in vane to | | | | has had woman, Japanese, Canadians, Mexicans and |
| create the definitive NASCAR movie (Red Line 7000, | | | | African American drivers. So why allow this into the |
| Stroker Ace and The Last American Hero to mention | | | | movie? Does NASCAR think this is good comedy? |
| a few). So far, only "Days of Thunder" in my opinion | | | | Or, is NASCAR trying to make a political statement, |
| even registers. To quantify my measurement system | | | | because Americans are dissatisfied with the way |
| on a 1 to 10 scale (with 10 being the highest), "Days | | | | France has conducted itself in regard to the war in |
| of Thunder" is a definite 1. Yes I agree it is good | | | | Iraq? |
| entertainment and has some big names, but the | | | | Another thing that confuses me; is NASCAR |
| actual racing and apparent driving skills are all | | | | suggesting that ganging up on your opponent by |
| Hollywood. By this scale, name any other NASCAR | | | | taking them out of the race is okay? If this movie |
| movie you've ever seen and it would rate in the | | | | truly represents NASCAR, the boys will be hauled |
| negative numbers. I'm saying they don't even qualify | | | | into the big white NASCAR trailer after the race, |
| for a rating, clearly, nobody has hit the bulls eye as | | | | where fines and suspensions will be handed out. Not! |
| far as NASCAR Movies go. | | | | My last issue with this movie is its name. "Talladega |
| This brings me to the reason I started writing this | | | | Nights". Is this supposed to be a variation of the |
| article today. "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky | | | | movie entitled "Boogie Nights"? If you've seen that |
| Bobby". This is like rubbing salt into an open wound. | | | | movie, you know it's not what you could call a family |
| Yes, I totally get that this is a comedy about a | | | | type movie. But isn't NASCAR meant to be a family |
| fictitious NASCAR driver; it has to be, Will Ferrell | | | | sport? Did NASCAR want this kind of association? |
| "stars" in and co-wrote the story. In the new book; | | | | NASCAR fines drivers for using fowl language during |
| The Un-Official NASCAR Fan Guide this movie is | | | | team radio communication if the networks happen to |
| referred to by its working title; High, Wide and | | | | catch it during a broadcast. So why would NASCAR |
| Handsome, an equally stupid name. I can't help but | | | | allow their sport to be loosely associated with a |
| feel that movies like this make NASCAR, its stars | | | | movie that borders on pornography? The decision |
| and fans look dumb. Quite frankly, I'm surprised | | | | makers should have stayed with the original name! At |
| NASCAR approved this film after making huge | | | | the very least, an official should be madly waving a |
| efforts to broaden its fan base into areas other than | | | | stop sign at the exit of pit road! |
| the American South East. | | | | Don't get me wrong people, I'm not without humor. I |
| Having not seen the movie yet, I can only guess that | | | | like a good comedy movie as much as the next guy. |
| it pokes fun at the sport, it's Southern heritage, red | | | | This really stems from the fact that NASCAR is |
| neck, beer drinking fans and a few choice names | | | | important to my family and myself. Maybe I'm over |
| (the lead character played by Ferrell goes by the | | | | reacting or over sensitive, or just being protective of |
| name of Ricky Bobby, need I say more?). Somebody | | | | a sport I love? |
| needs to put the front bumper to Ferrell, wake him | | | | Finally, let me say this; there have been some great |
| up and inform him it's 2006. I'm also pretty sure that | | | | movies made about almost every sport known to |
| Ferrell's character will be an egotistical, self serving, | | | | man (Remember the Titans, Field of Dreams, |
| self centered creep. This isn't really a stretch; he | | | | Chariots of Fire, Hoosiers, Bend it Like Beckham, |
| plays the same character in almost every movie he's | | | | Raging Bull, Grand Prix and this is just scratching the |
| made, maybe he's not even acting! For those of you | | | | surface). Those movies were memorable, well |
| new-to-the-sport, here's a little inside scoop, real | | | | written, had "real" stars, they were dramatic, intense, |
| NASCAR drivers and the entire NASCAR "family" are | | | | and successful at the box office. So why is it with all |
| all very generous and caring people, the polar | | | | the writing, acting and production talent in Hollywood, |
| opposite to Ricky Bobby. NASCAR drivers and their | | | | we still don't have a great NASCAR movie? Are 100 |
| families support financially, countless charities and | | | | million NASCAR fans not deserving of a movie in the |
| charity events. Many drivers (Jeff Gordon, Tony | | | | same league as those others? |