Public Service

Though probably unaware of it, the drivers, owners and crew
chiefs in all three divisions of NASCAR are part of on going public service
project. Aside from the automotive improvements born of the fender to fender lap
after lap competition, these gladiators lead by example as well. NASCAR has made
our roads safer yet as we who emulate our heroes beyond the race tracks are
better drivers than the others who don’t live and breathe the motorsport.

It’s most likely a subliminal thing. Most don’t even
realize they do it, but after one is submerged in the culture, and after
observing tens of thousands of hot laps, one can’t help but apply the skills
they observe into every day real life on the short tracks and superspeedways
known as America’s roads. Let’s go for a ride to work behind the wheel of a
typical NASCAR enthusiast.

Just like Jeff Burton, it starts in the garage paddock. The
window of the car was left open on the driver’s side the night before not
because the drive home featured nice weather the day before. This allows the
would be paint trader to enter the car in the “proper” manner-through the
window, and if very limber as Dale Earnhardt, left foot last.

The driver straps in as the lap and shoulder belt transforms
in the mind into a seven point harness anchored to a roll cage. The voice of the
imaginary crew chief comes across the radio. “Let’s light it up! It’s a
good car. Have a safe race!” The engine comes to life, the gauges percolate on
the dash. Oil and water pressure are optimized. Transmission engaged as we head
out for the warm up laps.

The side streets en route to the interstate morph into
caution laps. Yes, your are on stock treaded radial tires, but this doesn’t
stop you from weaving back and forth to scrub them clean and put heat into them.
It is then you drop down on to pit road one last time to get that speed. “4500
in second gear…”

As you wait in line on the metered entrance ramp, this
becomes the final warm up. Two numbers on the plate on the car in line ahead of
you catch your eye. “Follow the 31 in the high line ‘til the field is up to
speed.” One by one, the cars pass the metering lamp. Finally, it’s your
turn. Staring intently, you anticipate its turn from red to green, and then it
happens. “Green! Green! Gogogogo!”

You blend into the turnpike and slide up the track and hook
up in a five car draft. Coming up to speed, the need to pass emerges. Check the
mirror. There’s a car on your left rear. You wait, impatiently. “Still
there, still there…and…clear clear!” You slip into the preferred groove
with the faster cars.

“Trouble in one! Stay low!” You feather the gas at the
sight of the highway patrol. Looks like someone’s getting a stop and go
penalty…

You drive this route to work every day. A long sweeping ramp,
highway to highway looms ahead. It’s your favorite with its wide lane and
slight banking. In yesterday’ “practice” you were tight in and loose off.
You are now running out in the clean air, clear all around, approaching this
turn. “Let’s have you drive in low, exit high, that’ll work with this
setup.” Sure enough, you didn’t need that track bar adjustment after all.
The two pounds in the right rear and the different line did the trick.

Your final exit from the interstate is sadly ahead. The gas
gauge says less than a quarter tank, (fuel pressure is dropping), and you
realize that in your haste to leave, the lunch box didn’t come with you. “Let’s
pit this time by, two cans of fuel and a round of bite.” As you slide off the
freeway and up the exit ramp, that little imaginary spotter says one last time,
“and watch your speed! Hit the box. Let’s have a clean stop.”

So don’t deny it. You’ve done this in your head more
times than you care to admit. It really does make you a better driver because
this little fantasy racing league of your own focuses your attention on your
driving. At least you’ll be running circles around the clown in his mini van,
cell phone glued to his ear talking about the ball game, while juggling his
cappuccino. Go ahead, let him tag the wall. You’ll be going green next time
by…