The Addiction That Is NASCAR

There is no denying that feeling when the
off season is nearing an end: the anticipation, the anxiousness and the
frustration. You cannot wait another minute. You resort to reading up on every
article and press release trying to calm your addiction to NASCAR. This is what
we call "NASCAR Withdrawal". It is a serious condition that can only
be treated by the real thing itself: the drivers "calm and courteous",
the crowds wild in the stands, the cars whizzing by at three-digit speeds and
the crews hard at work…it doesn’t get any better. This is why Speedweeks,
the official beginning of the season, is packed with NASCAR fans from anywhere
and everywhere all crammed into the stands and even into the pits for the chance
to be cured of the long off season and finally be into the wonderful world of
NASCAR once again. All their jealous friends back at home are green with envy as
their withdraws are still flowing over the brim just waiting for their chance to
calm their need for speed.

The only trouble is that once the cars hit
the track another epidemic finds it way to taunt you. The whole season is
dedicated to defending your drivers at the track and back at home against all
your friends’ favorites. I know the loyalty to my driver has caused at least a
few heated discussions around my house on Sundays. I don’t know what it is
about racing…I just can’t get enough.

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Editor’s note: Because Katie is under 18
years of age, I’m not publishing her email address. If you have any comments
about her debut column here, please send them to me using the above link, and
I’ll be glad to forward them to her.