Backseat Blonde - Not Our Tradition

September 6, 2004

Not Our Tradition
By Allison Wagda

Have you ever eaten clam chowder in Iowa, or surfed in
Las Vegas? While it’s possible to do both, it’s just not
the same as the original, authentic experience.

The Southern 500 at Darlington over Labor Day
weekend was more than a tradition, it was a celebration
of history. An intertwined part of the Labor Day weekend.
Boys became men on the ol’ Lady in Black. Families planned far in advance to hit the
track as a farewell to summer and a last reprieve before school.

I never went to the Southern 500. I’ve actually never even been to Darlington. While I
have plenty of roots in the Carolinas and the southern U.S., I’ve spent most of my life
here on the West coast.

So, NASCAR’s “realignment” is supposedly to my benefit.

Not that the gesture is unappreciated, but I wish NASCAR would re-realign the Labor
Day race right back to Darlington.

I’m all for two races at Fontana. The track deserves it. The market can more than
support it. But Labor Day in California is not synonymous with racing. It isn’t our
tradition. We camp in Tahoe or Mammoth, sunbathe by the pool, beachcomb in
Malibu, take the kids to Disneyland or Legoland, hit the zoo in San Diego…you get
the idea. There is no shortage of Labor Day activities in the West, and quite frankly
sitting in sweltering 100 degree heat (actually clocked at 102) with a veneer of Inland
Empire smog is not exactly my idea of a vacation.

While I was happy for another race, going down to SoCal this past weekend wasn’t
even an option. Even if I’d wanted to go, none of my race-fan friends would have
considered it. Odds are I would have traveled all the way to Darlington for Labor Day
weekend to experience the Southern 500 before I’d ever travel the 300 miles or so to
Fontana for a rare 3-day holiday weekend.

So okay, maybe that’s just me. Over (reportedly) 100,000 dedicated race fans packed
into California Speedway yesterday for a pretty decent race. Long, but relatively
interesting. Not as exciting as the typical shoot-out at Darlington but worth the five
hours or so from my vantage point on a comfy couch.

As NASCAR moves forward, change is inevitable. But preserving the very soul of
NASCAR is essential to the sport’s success in the future. It can’t all be about ticket
sales and ratings (which have, contrary to expectations, suffered this season). Take
the sport international, allow other manufacturers into the sport, heck, I might even
concede a cheesy, manufactured playoff…but don’t forget NASCAR’s beginnings.

It’s within NASCAR’s control. Since Darlington is owned by International Speedway
Corp., the “sister” company of NASCAR, the true Southern 500 can be restored. Give
Fontana a second race, but make it during the vaunted “Chase.” It’s only fair the West
coast is represented during the playoff anyways. Given the sudden dearth of races in
the Carolinas, Labor Day should be restored to the fans who made the sport what it
is today.

And ISC has the funds to bring Darlington up to modern standards and expand the
facility to meet NASCAR’s financial goals. It would be an investment that would pay
off in spades over the years. Especially since one of the reasons new fans are
attracted to the sport are its traditions. I know NASCAR thinks publicity will steal NFL
fans, but NASCAR’s true “unique selling proposition” can be found in its sense of
history and pageantry.

There’s little left in NASCAR more authentic than the Darlington stripe. It’s best
served hot and muggy, Labor Day weekend. Even to us Californians.

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