Quote:
Originally Posted by Seadog
Sure it's different now. Stuff happens. In a perfect world Darland, Levi, and Hines would be in the 500. But it's a different world now and moaning and groaning about it will not bring back the old days. Accept it and enjoy it for what it is or move on.
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This is
excellent advice. And that is exactly what I did after foolishly griping about the "different world" with posts here on IOW and over at TF for far too long. I moved on.
I attended the Indy 500 from 1961 through 2003. Made the short drive out to IMS for many qualification days and countless practice days. Bought tickets to Milwaukee, Trenton, & Kentucky and that doesn't even count the Champ Dirt races back when they were included on the Championship Trail. Had high hopes for the IRL at it's inception and was getting really pumped again until it became apparent that Mr. George had only used us as well as owners like Hemelgarn, Treadway, Galas, Cahill and others until he could get, by default, Penske, Ganassi, and the big money owners and equipment suppliers to come home. Disapppointed for awhile, but later realized it was his game and he was completely justified in molding it however he saw fit. That said, I felt no obligation to support the new vision.
I find no fault with Seadog and any others who like, support, and follow this now latest vision of Indy Car racing. I sincerely hope it flourishes and finds it's way back onto mainstream TV and with full grandstands.
Meanwhile, I'll run through my entertainment budget attending sprint, midget, and Silver Crown races, with an occasional LM show thrown in. I'll be watching NASCAR on days not in conflict with open wheel events within 200 miles, but on TV, not in the stands. Being an old dude I received a grandfathered exemption to watch and enjoy whatever the hell I want to watch and enjoy without regard to the many critics and clever misspellings of NASCAR that pop up. There are participants there who I've followed for years, rooted for, some I've met, and for whom I care about how they fare with their series of choice.
I guess age has a way of teaching us which battles are worth fighting and which ones are unwinnable. This one has long since concluded. I not only lost, I now realize that I was never really in it. I'm glad I had sense enough to finally "move on". If only I had been that perceptive about 12 years sooner in my first marriage.
