Bowyer looking for first Cup win in midst of Chase

Tiny, quiet and friendly Emporia, Kan., is rich with history, real history. On November 11th, 1953 the citizens of the town staged a Veterans Day observance instead of the traditional Armistice Day salute. (Armistice Day was a tribute to those that served in World War I. The Germans signed the surrender papers at the 11th hour, on the 11th day of the 11th month, ending the War.) Congressman Ed Rees, of Emporia, was very impressed with the idea, and introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives to change the name of the holiday to Veterans Day.

According to what I've read, Congressman Rees fueled a letter writing campaign (remember when people use to write letters!) and every state governor supported the move. The name was changed by an act of Congress on May 24th, 1954 and on June 1, 1954 the change was enacted and Armistice Day (which means "truce") became Veterans Day to honor those that served our country.

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Thank you, Emporia.

This year Emporia is celebrating its 150th anniversary as a city. There are all kinds of things you can do. There is Poetry on the Porch, not just any porch, mind you, the porch of famed publisher William Allen White. He was a native of Emporia, you know.

Next month at the anniversary luncheon, pumpkin pancakes and pumpkin bread are on the menu. That's because it's October.

And on Sunday afternoons you can sit down with some of the locals, turn on the television and watch another famous Emporia native chase the Nextel Cup championship. That driver would be Clint Bowyer.

This past July the city honored Bowyer. July 7th was Clint Bowyer Day in Emporia. That would have been 07-07-07. Get it?

The proclamation uses the word "whereas" a lot but reads in part:

WHEREAS Clint has the support and admiration of the Emporia community for his achievements as a nationally known racecar driver.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Julie Johnson, Mayor of the City of Emporia, do hereby proclaim July 7, 2007 as "CLINT BOWYER DAY" in recognition of his success as a NASCAR driver in the Jack Daniel's No. 07 racecar.

Nice. I have never been there, but Emporia seems to have a small town feel to it. I found the telephone for the mayor on the city website, her HOME phone number. She answered her own phone. Nice.

"Yes we all know who Clint is and know what he has accomplished," said Mayor Johnson, who confessed she is not a big sports fan, but knows how successful Bowyer has been. "There are a lot of people in town watching him and rooting for him. We think it's wonderful what he has done. We are very proud of him. He has been a great ambassador for the city."

During a break in testing at Talladega on Monday, I asked Bowyer what is the biggest thing in Emporia. That got a good laugh. (Continued)