Smith: It's all a matter of perspective

It's difficult not to feel spiritual on Easter weekend, but I'm feeling especially spiritual at present.

Admittedly, I've been rather critical of the entertainment value, or lack thereof, during this season's Nextel Cup Series competition. Can't help it. By my skewed standards, it's been dreadfully boring. Parade laps at 200 mph.

	Marty Smith

Matter of fact, I was defending that very stance with several hundred disgruntled Texans via email Tuesday evening when an electronic reality check backhanded me across the jaw. It cut me deep, a point of view direct from a world unfathomable to most of us.

Iraq.

By nature, judging is subjective. And NASCAR racing is certainly no different. Regardless the subject, views differ and most are heated. The intensity with which people follow this sport is truly amazing, even baffling at times.

And being paid to help mold the opinions of such a beloved institution is a most wonderful privilege. It's easy to forget why that privilege exists. Until someone helping supply it sends a stark reminder.

Marty,

Hey man, first thing is I am new to NASCAR the last two years. I never thought I would like racing. I thought, who wants to watch people drive in circles? But my God son is a NASCAR freak at 2 years old, and I figured I would check it out. I was activated on Jan 21, 2003, so I didn't get to see racing until this year, when Internet service in Iraq got better and I subscribed to Trackpass.

I watched all of the condensed races of last year. I have been able to see all of this year's races but Daytona, thanks to (Armed Forces Network) being available now. I have chosen Jimmie Johnson as my driver because of the Lowe's/USO relationship they had going.

Ok, now for this year. I am new, so maybe I just don't know exciting racing yet. However, the guys that have sat watching the races in Iraq with me week in and week out have loved them. We all are very excited with the racing so far this year, and think it is greatly improved over last year's racing.

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I am totally hooked on NASCAR now, myself, and consider it my favorite sport, which I never would have believed possible. Just letting you know that the fans watching on TV overseas have enjoyed this year a ton and look forward to more.

I am on my way home and look forward to watching my first live race in Sept. in California, and again in Phoenix in Nov. Maybe I will see you there.

Sincerely,

George Algozzini

Formerly of Al-Taji, Iraq

Phoenix, AZ

Wow. Heavy. Words like that prove just how insubstantial and undeniably jaded we can be. Reading the impact that NASCAR racing can have on those preserving our freedom helps quantify the sport's true reach.

I am humbled by Mr. Algozzini's message.

Those guys are a million miles away, dodging bullets for me on a daily basis, and NASCAR provides them a momentary escape from it all. They're protecting the privileges we've come to take for granted.

We take so much for granted.

Without those soldiers, and the ones that came before them, I couldn't say the racing is boring.

Heck, without them there may be no racing at all. Let's not forget that.

Marty Smith is a senior writer for NASCAR.COM. His column appears each Thursday. The opinions expressed are solely of the writer.