It’s been a few days since I last wrote. I’ve got a lot to say, but sometimes it’s pretty hard to put it all down in a way that makes sense to anyone outside of my twisted mind.
I’m struggling somewhat with wanting to leave Las Vegas. With that struggle comes another struggle-why am I struggling to begin with? How many times have I raved about my love of Upstate New York? Now I am having trouble wanting to get out of the desert and go back? Something is amiss here.
There are a few people out here that are pulling for me to stay and that doesn’t help. I must admit that it’s very flattering and it makes it harder to not at least entertain the idea that maybe I could help the west coast supers out a little more if I were closer to them. It also doesn’t go without notice that this could be an opportunity to advance my very mediocre financial standing so that I may be better prepared to take care of my kids and family and also have more to give back to the DIVISION. Anna keeps telling me that I “can’t help your friends swim if you are drowning on your own,” so maybe it’s time for me to look at things a little differently because it’s awfully hard to argue with that advice.
I think that one of the most attractive things about it is the fact that when I come here, I am treated as though I am somewhat special. Now I’m not saying that my friends back east don’t do the same. What I am saying is that the track seems to appreciate my presence. I can walk into a booth and they are pleased to see me. I don’t think I have to go into details here for all of you to know that I am talking about one specific track back home that does the opposite. Sour grapes right? Well, damnit. Why is it ok for me to travel across the country to a first rate, big name facility and be allowed into a booth with open arms when I am here to do a JOB for the DIVISION that I love, but the door is slammed in my face at the track that is the home of the DIVISION I love whenever I am hired by a sanction to do the same job I can do out here without hassle? Actually…there’s not a place in the country that I have ever gone to do an ISMA, MSA, or SMRA show where I struggle to fit in more than at Oswego. It really pisses me off.
Ok, I’m done with that rant….for now. I have just simply had a wonderful time out here. It’s not been all play and no work mind you, but every bit of the work I had to do as far as the announcing and the networking, has been fun. Sometimes so much fun that it’s hard to fathom it all. The Vegas Strip alone is just something that you have to see to believe. There’s so much excess out here that it reminds one of the Bible stories of Babylon and that transpires somewhat to the facility at LVMS and especially the NHRA teams. Jim Belfiore and I peeked into a trailer with Force Racing on the side of it and discovered at least 20 sets of stainless steel headers. We had stumbled upon the parts trailer. Stepping next door, there were three engines being worked on, blowers being re-built and a multitude of crew members who didn’t speak but kept working like a throng of bees circling in a hive.
Truth be told, throughout the weekend, I’d have to say that when the supers come out here, they are the low guys on the totem pole in the ‘keeping up with the jones’” category. Hard to believe isn’t it? Most places we go people are amazed at the glitz and think we have a lot of money. Out here, Ray Graham’s rig would look like the Beverly Hillbillies compared to some of the Bandelero or Legends haulers.
What didn’t change though is the level of excitement by the fans when the supers took to the track. Mike Turner told me that they had over 2,500 paying customers in the front stands that seat 6,000. Well when the supers shook the seats, those fans came to their feet. The race was pretty damned good to boot and if anyone went away with a bitch about car count or low enthusiasm, in my book, they are idiots. If the fans are happy, the promoter happy, the drivers excited about the race after 50 laps, then what freakin more do you want ya know? Yet still there were detractors, some who went and saw, some who stayed home and looked for reasons to justify excuses. It never ceases to amaze me, never. If it were a crappy show, if the promoter had said you’re never coming back because you only brought 12 cars, if the fans had booed, well then ok, fire away.
AND furthermore…I didn’t get to finish this in Vegas. I’m getting ready to board the plane to Cuse from JFK. It’s cool bein back in NY! You knew I’d say that didn’t you???
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About Bobby G
