Back to racing -- we have to
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Liz Allison
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By Liz Allison, Turner Sports Interactive
September 19, 2001
10:34 AM EDT (1434 GMT)
COMMENTARY
It is hard to even imagine that racing will go on this weekend at Dover when our hearts are breaking inside, but it has to.
The past week has taken all of us to our very weakest point -- and then some. It is hard to believe that it has been one week since the World Trade Center crumbled to the ground as we all watched in horror. Then the Pentagon attack and the Pennsylvania crash was more than we could bear.
NASCAR made the right decision to postpone the Winston Cup events planned at Loudon. No one was ready to get back to racing so soon.
They have also made the right decision to get back to racing this weekend at Dover. We must go on and try to rebuild from the terrorists attacks -- or they win.
If there has ever been a sport that can rebound from a tragedy, it would be NASCAR.
It is deep in the roots of this sport from as far back as the record books will allow. You keep going no matter what!
Yes, racing will be different for us all this weekend. Security measures are being taken to the higher standards, in which they should. Coolers full of your choice beverage will not be allowed, nor will backpacks and travel bags. A few inconveniences, but does that really matter in the big scheme of things?
The fans this weekend have an opportunity to come out and enjoy the sport that we all love and to show your American spirit. You will see flags waving like you have never seen before.
I encourage everyone to deck out in your red, white and blue to show support to your country and to the servicemen and women who risk their lives to defend our country and of the freedom that we all take advantage of sometimes.
Just think about the sport of auto racing, and how we all have the freedom to go out and enjoy racing on the weekends. There are some countries that do not allow any form of sporting events and others that will not allow women to partake in a sport. Can you imagine not being able to have the freedom to go about your life as we all do?
On Tuesday morning, Sam Flood the NBC/TNT producer for the entire second half of the racing season, called a conference call for all the announcers covering this weekend's race at Dover.
It was obvious that we are the most concerned with showing respect to the families that were affected by the attacks in our coverage and to show respect to the service men and women that defend our country every day.
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Wally Dallenbach
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Somehow, in the midst of this, we have to deliver the best race coverage we can. We know how important it is to everyone to feel some sort of normalcy.
My colleague, Wally Dallenbach, said that most of the guys will be glad to get back in their cars and strap in for a great American race. That is their way to give the American people some good, clean racing for the afternoon.
We could all use a little fun in our world this week. I think the drivers aren't the only ones that will feel better, how about all us race fans, too?
So get ready to show your spirit at Dover. Wear that red, white and blue. Hold up those flags, sing the anthem like you never have before and for goodness sake, lets try to have some fun!
Note: Liz Allison's column appears every Wednesday on NASCAR.com. The opinions listed here are solely those of the writer. To provide feedback to Liz, email her at Liz.Allison@turner.com.
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