http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124182866719902613.html

"stonej" <stonej (AT) mail (DOT) lib.msu.edu> wrote


Auto racing has been going downhill both in America and worldwide for a
considerable number of years. Nobody wants a race track in their back yard
these days as NASCAR found out a few years ago when they tried to get one
built in either the Pacific Northwest or the New York City metro area. No
takers anywhere. Rich guys hiring brave young guys to drive cars real fast
in an antique relic of a notion.

And moonshine running is no more romantic than Michael Vick and his dog
fighting. And it is also irrelevant when talking about conditions in NASCAR
today. Referring to the more or less imaginary moonshine roots is like
saying America would be a better place if we went back to killing Indians
like we formerly did. When NASCAR was getting started in the 1940's there
were most likely about two people with any moonshine experience and two
hundred auto mechanics and tow truck drivers.

Fiat is going to save Chrysler and President Obama is going to save GM.
Sooner or later they will both be forced into making better cars the are
more reliable and get better mileage.

Agreed that the moonshine roots are not relevant to Nascar today but
that brief reference seems to
have struck a nerve with you why is that? It was only mentioned in
passing and was hardly the focus
of the article. The other "roots" of Nascar are more important and
getting away from them is what has
hurt the sport today.

"stonej" <stonej (AT) mail (DOT) lib.msu.edu> wrote

I do not want to hear another word about The War of 1812 either. I can
watch an entire baseball game on Sunday and not hear a word about Abner
Doubleday. There is no way know the real numbers but I still say the
"moonshiners" represented a small percentage of early NASCAR pioneers. Most
of them were doubtless racing fans like the France family and the Petty
family and the Allison family and a whole lot of other families.

It was a nice article in most other regards but that "moonshine roots"
verges on urban legend in my book. Junior Johnson, big deal.