With Special Thoughts from Granny Grump’s First Cousin, Granny Grouch
Hello loyal readers and other folks. First off I want to say that Friday marked the 10th anniversary of Dale Earnhardt’s death. There’s nothin’ I can say that others haven’t, but I want y’all to know he was just the top of the tree in Granny’s eyes and always will be. Can’t say enough about that man, so I won’t even try. I’ll just say, that’s a loss I still feel deeply along with the entire racin’ world.
So, the big Daytona weekend is finally over. I went to bed scratchin’ my head and woke up doin’ the same. I don’t believe I have ever seen such a, let me pick my words with care here now, surprisin’, and excitin’ mess. Is that really what the big’uns in charge had in mind when they changed this and that over and over again? Of course when you paint yourself in a corner, there’s only 1 way to get out without makin’ a bigger mess, and most times that’s impossible. Maybe that’s all they could do at that point. Seems pert near everythin’ was different, but more on that later on.
It sure was a wonderful and a teary sight to see Mikey win the truck race Friday night. And in the fittin’ #15! And you called the way you would do it, Mikey! Why I took to bawlin’ and looked over at Duck and he was snivelin’ all over the divan too! I just love that tall boy and congratulations to ya, Mikey! By the way, I do so love that shakin’ your bootie commercial and you can rip your shirt off (course you had another one on underneath) anytime your cute self sees fit to, as far as this Granny is concerned. And that commercial wasn’t nasty like you know who’s. Now if you would have said to go to NAPA.com to see what happens next, I can tell you Granny would have done that quicker than skit, but, well, just nevermind what else I’m thinkin’. And then on Saturday when Tony Boy won? Oh my, that was pleasin’ to see, too! And he’s clean shaven and trimmer! Doesn’t remind me at all any more of my late husband, Elmer. Ah well, Granny doesn’t care, honey! You’re still just a cutie and a fast one at that! Now, I’ll always like a scruffy beard and there is still hope cause the season is young, but, Duck and I are as happy as flies in the pasture. Know what I mean? And then Sunday came. Well, there was excitement, I’ll give ya that much. But I bet those boys were so worn out, they are still sleepin’ it off this mornin’. Well all but the Wood Brothers’ miracle find, that cutie pie Trevor Bayne. Why it was awesome to see that #21 in the winner’s circle again after all these years. And this boy, this Daytona 500 winner is spit it out amazin’. Why even Duck was pleased. Course he wanted flippin’ Carl to win, but cute Carl did finish second, at least. Y’all know by now Duck’s an AFLAC Duck lovin’ quack, but enough of my grumblin’ about that. Point is Trevor Bayne, a 20 year old long shot, became a provin’ and amazin’ 500 winner. Never saw that happenin’ in any way. Good for you I say, honey. I am lookin’ forward to see what happens next with this kid. And congratulations to the Wood Brothers as well.
Movin’ forward, now for the wrecks. Well there were plenty, let me tell ya that much right now. And there was the big one on Sunday, of course. 17 cars in one screechin’, tearin’ up, big money costin’ melee. 12 went to the garage out of that deal. Course the big ones are always a Daytona deal and that part was, unfortunately, the same, although muchly (is that a real word?) unwanted. TTGL (thank the good LORD) no one was hurt.
Next topic is The National Anthem. It seems that The National Anthem is a song some folks have a hard time with beltin’ out the right words to lately (not my cup of tea Christina Agu-somethin’ or other) and now at the Nationwide race. This just doesn’t sit right with me. To that good lookin’ group, honeys, it’s “What so proud WE (not they) hailed” and “gave proof THROUGH (not to) the night”. Now this group was very good lookin’ as I said before and had spankin’ good voices. Let me tell you that much right now. Thing is, all us older citizens learned that song and the words in school. Why we all knew it in first grade, for cryin’ out loud! I wonder if the kids of today have problems recitin’ it? Repetition, that’s the key to my way of thinkin’. That’s what we did and that’s how I learned to cook such great meals, repetiton! My late husband Elmer loved to eat the same foods over and over. He wasn’t much into fancy stuff, just good stick to the ribs and belly types of foods, but that’s neither here nor there. Things sure have changed since I was a young’un, but not bein’ able to recite, or sing for that matter, the words to The National Anthem? Why, that burns my bustle, if ya know what I mean. Now in that singin’ group’s defense it must be a real scarey situation bein” in front of such a large gatherin’ and bein’ on TV and all. I’m just suggestin’ that practicin’ and a really cold glass of cider or buttermilk could just calm those big gitters a bit. They did sound pleasin’ to the ear and all, I’m just sayin’. But Martina McBride on Sunday? Absolutely perfect! No doubt about that and pretty as they come, too. And Granny doesn’t want to slight that young Native American girl who helped launch the trucks Friday. That little cutie is talented and she sang all the right words, too! Good job, honey
Now for the other stuff. These 2 car draft situations? Well, to me it looked like the animals must have looked headin’ in to Noah’s Ark (and no I wasn’t there smart mouth Walter behind the meat counter) on that fateful day, 2 by 2 but a good deal faster, if ya know what I mean. The driver’s don’t like it much, either, they said. White knucklin’ they called it. Well Trevor Bayne must have liked it, but the truck race was different. They’ve got it right. To my way of thinkin’, as far as the cars, well, the big’uns in charge messed that up. If it ain’t broke, y’ain’t suppose to fix it, dearies. And then try to fix it again and again the wrong way. Phooey I say! Now I understand wantin’ to slow ’em down a bit, but, y’all made ’em go that fast in the first place and react in the draft like they did. Ain’t that right? Maybe, just maybe now, instead of messin’ and tryin’ to fix up the new mistakes, ya ought to go back to some of the old, proven right ways (if that’s possible with made up cars). Not all of the old ways, ya understand. Ya have to be sensible, of course, I’m just sayin’. Look here now, drivers have complained for a long time about those restrictor plates, but, at least all of ’em had the chance to work in larger packs and get some stuff done. Know what I mean? The big’uns in charge need to think about that mess before Talladega and back up a bit.
And wasn’t it wonderful to see some of the more recent, older and less fortunate but still quite capable drivers do so well? Why for a short spell there Robby Gordon (he finished 15th) was leadin’. That boy had a bee or two under his belt somewhere! And then take a gander at David Gilliland’s 3rd place finish, cutie Bobby LaBonte’s 4th place finish, Bill Elliott, that million dollar rascal finished 12th and Terry Labonte the older (and also cutie) brother of Bobby finished 16th. I guess some of those changes worked out ok. It was an excitin’ weekend all in all…just threw this Granny and Duck a few more that 4 turns. Know what I mean?
Now, finally, I wanted to include the comments of my good friend and loyalest (is that a real word too?) reader Granny Grouch, as she calls herself. She so amusin’ly says us Grannies have to stick together. You’re right to my way of thinkin’ there Grouch!
Granny Grouch wrote:
What a wild and crazy weekend this was for the openin’ weekend of the 2011 NASCAR Season. Why, Granny Grouch hardly knows where to begin!
The Truck race Friday night was almost too much for Granny’s pacemaker, what with Michael Waltrip pullin’ off his first Truck Series win EVER. I was so proud of him bein’ as I am one of his biggest fans. He done a good deed by honorin’ his former car-owner and friend Dale Earnhardt . I think it was fittin’ that he won that race. Way to go, Mikey ! And how about that feller Tony “Smoke” Stewart? winnin’ the Nationwide Series race. This driver can race the wheels off any car you put him in, good job, Tony!
I must say that the biggest thrill of the entire weekend was watchin’ Trevor Bayne. This young whipper snapper raced his heart out. What a breath of fresh air he is for NASCAR and the race fans alike. He has talent that he doesn’t even realize yet! It was a real pleasure to watch him race, he was so helpful to any and all of the other drivers throughout the day and seemed to be in total shock that he was the one celebratin’ in Victory Lane. That young man is on his way to bein’ a NASCAR Super Star! This Granny is lookin’ forward to the next race so she can continue to watch Trevor race!
Response:
Grouch, darlin’ good friend, loyalest reader and first cousin, I just agree with you up one side and down the other! Be sure to write your thoughts on the next race, honey. As you so amusin’ly say, “Us Grannies have to stick together. Thanks for your time. Grump so appreciates you takin’ time out of your busy day because I know you are a busy woman, too, and I know you know what I mean.
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So there ya have what’s on my and Grouch’s mind. Seems only fittin’ to respond to her, her bein’ the loyalest (again ?) reader and good friend and all. Email or comment if you like. Either way is fine with me cause I’m a very busy woman and even busier this year it seems (and so is Grouch), but that’s neither here nor there. Know what I mean?
