Why I Love NASCAR

Do you want to know why I love NASCAR? At theIt's a shame Martin never won a championship, but
end of the 2007 Daytona 500 Clint Bowyer crossedhe will be remembered as one of the greatest
the finish line on his hood (in the Jack Daniel's car-ofdrivers in NASCAR history. Mark still has the talent to
course). As his car came to a halt, and caught on fire,drive, and it would be great to see him race a full
Bowyer unstrapped and calmly hopped out. Businessschedule for at least a couple more years, or at least
as usual. That's just racing, I guess.one more year. Same goes for Brett Favre in the
It was entertaining to see two villains end the dayNFL. I know there's great bodily risk in what these
for each other on Sunday. Kurt Busch and Tonyguys do, but the selfish side in me doesn't what to
Stewart are championship drivers-no one can disputesee them stop playing, because they're fun to watch.
that. But they also can let their emotions get theFor 2007 I would like to see a little more of a rivalry
best of them. Every driver lets emotion effect theirdevelop between Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
driving from time to time-but these two take theIt would be great to see the two of them battling
cake. It was a bit ironic to see them crash into eacheach other for a lead in the closing laps of a race
other and prematurely finish the Daytona 500once in awhile. In recent years it seems like only one
together.of the two and very often neither of the two has
Most fans would admit to pulling for Mark Martinbeen in contention during the final laps. It's great to
during the final laps. I know I was. He was so close,see new stars emerge but a healthy rivalry between
and he may never get that close again. He's the kindGordon and Dale Jr. would only be good for NASCAR.
of driver everyone likes. He doesn't complain, doesn'tThat's why I love NASCAR. Guys jumping out of
get in scuffles with other drivers. He even drove theflaming cars like it's no big deal, villains taking each
Viagra car for awhile. I can't think of a time in recentother out of a race, respected veterans flirting with
history where Mark Martin was involved in avictory, and watching the world's most talented
"payback" situation with another driver. He is probablydrivers compete against each other 36 weekends a
one of the most respected drivers in NASCAR today.year.