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Making a list and checking it twice
By Tim Packman
If I could put together a wish list to send to the NASCAR Bud Pole, not to be confused with the North Pole, almost everyone in NASCAR would get a little something from me.
Hey, it is the season for giving, and a hard time and a little ribbing fit right in.
So, as not to play favorites, I am going to use the same numerical system utilized while at the roulette wheel -- car numbers, but not all of them.
No. 1: How about a solid year for Steve Park -- complete with good health and some great runs to get all the doubters off his back. He fought hard enough to get back into the car, why do some folks outside of DEI seem so determined to get him out of there?
No. 2: At least one victory and a few poles are wished for Rusty Wallace in 2003. Switching to Dodge from Ford was a big decision and I'd hate to see him if the win or pole doesn't come his way.
No. 3: To never be forgotten -- ever.
No. 4: If one guy could use a victory, it would be Mike Skinner. He's had his share of difficulties in Winston Cup and a switch to Pontiac might be the ticket to Victory Lane. Besides, we'd get to see his lovely wife Angie with him and the trophy.
No. 5: Let's hope Terry Labonte can have a few more good years and retire from the sport on a successful note. Would hate to see someone with his dignity and class just out there to be out there.
No. 6: A tan for Mark Martin. For a guy who lives in Florida, he sure doesn't seem to get in the sunshine too much.
No. 7: A driver who will last more than one season in the car for Ultra Motorsports.
Steve Park could use a solid year. Credit: Autostock
No. 8: Let's see; Dale Jr. has a winning ride, all the beer he needs from his sponsor and all the female attention a guy could need. I'd say he's set.
No. 9: Bill Elliott is capable of making a few more trips to the winner's circle. Let's just hope he does it enough to keep all the "young gun" talk to a minimum in 2003.
No. 10: Here's hoping Johnny Benson wins again so his first win doesn't seem like a fluke. After all, he couldn't possibly go another 120-something races without.
No. 11: I hope Brett Bodine keeps the Hooters sponsorship forever, or at least that they stay in the sport for that long. Hey, nothing wrong with the waitresses from that nice, family restaurant hanging around the track, right?
No. 12: I'm wishing for a hair-growth kit for Ryan Newman. I don't know if he's going bald, but he sure seems to never grow and always looks the same. Must be getting tips from Alan Bestwick.
No. 14: See No. 7.
No. 15: Would be nice to see Michael Waltrip pull out a victory at a track besides Daytona. Just doesn't seem right to have a one-track mind like he does for that place.
No. 17: Hey Matt Kenseth, please jump up and down just once when you win a race. You won! It's OK. We wish you would.
No. 18: Wishing that Bobby Labonte gets back to his winning ways of a few years ago. Maybe the Bowtie Brigade will open up the key to that in 2003.
No. 20: Peace on Earth, and at the track, is my wish for Tony Stewart as he enjoys the championship he deserves.
A couple of more trips to Victory Lane could help solidify Johnny Benson as a Winston Cup star. Credit: Autostock
No. 21: Hopefully Ricky Rudd can remind the Wood Bros. what winning is all about on a consistent basis.
No. 22: Wishes for Ward Burton that the DNFs don't overshadow his success in 2003 the way they did in 2002.
No. 23: Just one win for Kenny Wallace. I'm sure it will be one hellacious party when he does win.
No. 24: I sincerely wish for Jeff Gordon to be able to deal with his off-track issues in a quiet, private way and out of the public eye -- unlike the way they were received.
No. 29, 30, 31: Richard Childress Racing had a very un-RCR this year. Still, there were times when all ran well and showed what they were capable of achieving. Two things are certain, with drivers like Kevin Harvick and Robby Gordon in your stable, success is always a break or two away.
No. 32: Ricky Craven just enjoyed his best season as far as points and money earnings. But I bet he would trade some of the cash for a few more wins. Here's wishing he gets a couple.
No. 40: Here's wishing Sterling Marlin a healthy year in 2003. We'll never know if the team could've rallied back to the top of the points chart, but next year they might leave no question.
No. 41: Casey Mears will be driving for Chip Ganassi with the Target logo on his back for sponsorship. Let's just hope the other drivers don't use it for something else.
No. 42: With a win in Jamie McMurray's pocket already, he enters his rookie year with another rookie and a veteran as teammates. Let's just hope the NASCAR downtrodden don't corrupt this very engaging kid.
No. 43, 44, 45: How about a victory for one of the Petty Enterprises teams in 2003. Doesn't really matter who, but it would be nice to see Kyle Petty pick up a race-winning trophy again.
No. 48: Wishing that Jimmie Johnson doesn't go through a sophomore slump after such a phenomenal year. Some think he should have gotten rookie of the year honors. But, he didn't -- time to move on to next year.
No. 49: I'm pretty sure BAM Racing has the same thing on their wish list that I have on mine -- a driver.
No. 55: Same to Andy Petree with Kenny Schrader waiting in the wings. We are wishing for a sponsor so all involved can continue on in 2003. Schrader deserves a swan song-type tour for being the person and racer he is to so many folks.
No. 71: Even though Dave Marcis has retired, I wish for him to get a sponsor for an up and coming driver to make a few races this year. Wingtips and tattered Goodyear hats aren't something you see in the garage area too much anymore, you know.
No. 77: Jasper Motorsports has been around a few years and through a few drivers, as well. My wish for them is to get the victory they and Dave Blaney have been so close to getting a few times.
No. 85: If there were one guy I would like to see get a full-time deal, it would be Carl Long. I'm not just saying that because that's my number when I raced, but because Carl is truly a good person who hasn't been afraid to work along the way.
OK, I like the car number, too. Big deal.
No. 88: Dale Jarrett is a past champion who will be teaming up with Elliott Sadler this year. I don't think that Sadler will be showing up Jarrett much, but I wish that Jarrett's experience and knowledge will be beneficial to Sadler.
Having a verteran teammate could help Elliott Sadler. Credit: Autostock
No. 99: Jeff Burton had to watch his teammates all get recognition this year for their efforts while he sat back winless and out of the top 10 in the championship battle. My wish for him is that he doesn't let it get him down or quiet his much-appreciated opinion on matters.
To the Fans: Here's something you might want to put on your wish list to read in the offseason. Larry McReynolds wrote a book titled, "The Big Picture -- My life from pit road to the broadcast booth."
I started to thumb through it on a day off, and ended up reading the whole damn thing from cover-to-cover, and, I can't tell you the last time I did that with any book.
To short track owners: May every race day be sunny, your grandstands full, you beer prices low and your track announcers enlightening and informative.
To NASCAR: My wish to them is that they remember who made this sport what it is -- the fans. Corporate sponsors might have the larger dollar bills, but the fans have the bigger hearts and loyalty.
You can't buy that -- ever.
By Tim Packman
If I could put together a wish list to send to the NASCAR Bud Pole, not to be confused with the North Pole, almost everyone in NASCAR would get a little something from me.
Hey, it is the season for giving, and a hard time and a little ribbing fit right in.
So, as not to play favorites, I am going to use the same numerical system utilized while at the roulette wheel -- car numbers, but not all of them.
No. 1: How about a solid year for Steve Park -- complete with good health and some great runs to get all the doubters off his back. He fought hard enough to get back into the car, why do some folks outside of DEI seem so determined to get him out of there?
No. 2: At least one victory and a few poles are wished for Rusty Wallace in 2003. Switching to Dodge from Ford was a big decision and I'd hate to see him if the win or pole doesn't come his way.
No. 3: To never be forgotten -- ever.
No. 4: If one guy could use a victory, it would be Mike Skinner. He's had his share of difficulties in Winston Cup and a switch to Pontiac might be the ticket to Victory Lane. Besides, we'd get to see his lovely wife Angie with him and the trophy.
No. 5: Let's hope Terry Labonte can have a few more good years and retire from the sport on a successful note. Would hate to see someone with his dignity and class just out there to be out there.
No. 6: A tan for Mark Martin. For a guy who lives in Florida, he sure doesn't seem to get in the sunshine too much.
No. 7: A driver who will last more than one season in the car for Ultra Motorsports.
Steve Park could use a solid year. Credit: Autostock
No. 8: Let's see; Dale Jr. has a winning ride, all the beer he needs from his sponsor and all the female attention a guy could need. I'd say he's set.
No. 9: Bill Elliott is capable of making a few more trips to the winner's circle. Let's just hope he does it enough to keep all the "young gun" talk to a minimum in 2003.
No. 10: Here's hoping Johnny Benson wins again so his first win doesn't seem like a fluke. After all, he couldn't possibly go another 120-something races without.
No. 11: I hope Brett Bodine keeps the Hooters sponsorship forever, or at least that they stay in the sport for that long. Hey, nothing wrong with the waitresses from that nice, family restaurant hanging around the track, right?
No. 12: I'm wishing for a hair-growth kit for Ryan Newman. I don't know if he's going bald, but he sure seems to never grow and always looks the same. Must be getting tips from Alan Bestwick.
No. 14: See No. 7.
No. 15: Would be nice to see Michael Waltrip pull out a victory at a track besides Daytona. Just doesn't seem right to have a one-track mind like he does for that place.
No. 17: Hey Matt Kenseth, please jump up and down just once when you win a race. You won! It's OK. We wish you would.
No. 18: Wishing that Bobby Labonte gets back to his winning ways of a few years ago. Maybe the Bowtie Brigade will open up the key to that in 2003.
No. 20: Peace on Earth, and at the track, is my wish for Tony Stewart as he enjoys the championship he deserves.
A couple of more trips to Victory Lane could help solidify Johnny Benson as a Winston Cup star. Credit: Autostock
No. 21: Hopefully Ricky Rudd can remind the Wood Bros. what winning is all about on a consistent basis.
No. 22: Wishes for Ward Burton that the DNFs don't overshadow his success in 2003 the way they did in 2002.
No. 23: Just one win for Kenny Wallace. I'm sure it will be one hellacious party when he does win.
No. 24: I sincerely wish for Jeff Gordon to be able to deal with his off-track issues in a quiet, private way and out of the public eye -- unlike the way they were received.
No. 29, 30, 31: Richard Childress Racing had a very un-RCR this year. Still, there were times when all ran well and showed what they were capable of achieving. Two things are certain, with drivers like Kevin Harvick and Robby Gordon in your stable, success is always a break or two away.
No. 32: Ricky Craven just enjoyed his best season as far as points and money earnings. But I bet he would trade some of the cash for a few more wins. Here's wishing he gets a couple.
No. 40: Here's wishing Sterling Marlin a healthy year in 2003. We'll never know if the team could've rallied back to the top of the points chart, but next year they might leave no question.
No. 41: Casey Mears will be driving for Chip Ganassi with the Target logo on his back for sponsorship. Let's just hope the other drivers don't use it for something else.
No. 42: With a win in Jamie McMurray's pocket already, he enters his rookie year with another rookie and a veteran as teammates. Let's just hope the NASCAR downtrodden don't corrupt this very engaging kid.
No. 43, 44, 45: How about a victory for one of the Petty Enterprises teams in 2003. Doesn't really matter who, but it would be nice to see Kyle Petty pick up a race-winning trophy again.
No. 48: Wishing that Jimmie Johnson doesn't go through a sophomore slump after such a phenomenal year. Some think he should have gotten rookie of the year honors. But, he didn't -- time to move on to next year.
No. 49: I'm pretty sure BAM Racing has the same thing on their wish list that I have on mine -- a driver.
No. 55: Same to Andy Petree with Kenny Schrader waiting in the wings. We are wishing for a sponsor so all involved can continue on in 2003. Schrader deserves a swan song-type tour for being the person and racer he is to so many folks.
No. 71: Even though Dave Marcis has retired, I wish for him to get a sponsor for an up and coming driver to make a few races this year. Wingtips and tattered Goodyear hats aren't something you see in the garage area too much anymore, you know.
No. 77: Jasper Motorsports has been around a few years and through a few drivers, as well. My wish for them is to get the victory they and Dave Blaney have been so close to getting a few times.
No. 85: If there were one guy I would like to see get a full-time deal, it would be Carl Long. I'm not just saying that because that's my number when I raced, but because Carl is truly a good person who hasn't been afraid to work along the way.
OK, I like the car number, too. Big deal.
No. 88: Dale Jarrett is a past champion who will be teaming up with Elliott Sadler this year. I don't think that Sadler will be showing up Jarrett much, but I wish that Jarrett's experience and knowledge will be beneficial to Sadler.
Having a verteran teammate could help Elliott Sadler. Credit: Autostock
No. 99: Jeff Burton had to watch his teammates all get recognition this year for their efforts while he sat back winless and out of the top 10 in the championship battle. My wish for him is that he doesn't let it get him down or quiet his much-appreciated opinion on matters.
To the Fans: Here's something you might want to put on your wish list to read in the offseason. Larry McReynolds wrote a book titled, "The Big Picture -- My life from pit road to the broadcast booth."
I started to thumb through it on a day off, and ended up reading the whole damn thing from cover-to-cover, and, I can't tell you the last time I did that with any book.
To short track owners: May every race day be sunny, your grandstands full, you beer prices low and your track announcers enlightening and informative.
To NASCAR: My wish to them is that they remember who made this sport what it is -- the fans. Corporate sponsors might have the larger dollar bills, but the fans have the bigger hearts and loyalty.
You can't buy that -- ever.
Very nice post.