Kevin VanDam

God Bless the USA

July 07, 2010 – by Kevin VanDam

The Coke Zero 400 last weekend was an awesome experience. The longer I live, and the older I get, the more I appreciate the way we live in the USA. It’s something we should all think about, all the time.

As you know I was an honorary race official this year. I got to be on the stage and take part in the race festivities, most of which had a patriotic theme.

Members of the Wounded Warriors introduced the race drivers. They took turns with one announcing a few drivers and then turning the microphone over to another member of the organization. Watching them do their job — despite serious injuries in some cases — was something to behold. We owe everything to them and the job they do.

I also had the privilege of meeting a number of veterans from WWII through the current wars. Their stories are amazing. Imagine how we would be living, and what our country would be like, without their efforts and sacrifices.

But, the best of all was the military flyover. The planes made one pass and then came back and arched over the track. None of us expected that. It absolutely took my breath away. Sherry and the kids were impressed, too. Both boys had the opportunity to pause and think about how different things could be in their lives if they had been born in another country or in another time.

The race was a big deal, too. I rode in the pace car before the start. I can’t believe how steep the turns are on that track. You can hardly stand on them. And when the car picks up speed it feels like it’s steering itself, or like the track has ahold of the tires.

Unfortunately everything was messed up by the accidents. Jamie (McMurray) was doing pretty well until he was involved in one. As I remember he was mostly in the top five but the wreck dropped him down to 39. That was a real disappointment. We wanted to celebrate with him after the win but it was not to be.

I was thinking after that how different NASCAR is from fishing. In fishing you’re in charge of almost everything — rod, reel, line, lure, place to fish… In NASCAR that’s not the case. It requires a whole team just to keep you running. Other people have control over what and how you do.

And even then nothing is for certain. Everything was going just fine for Jamie until a couple of the cars in front of him brushed the wall. When that happened he drove into them. At those speeds there’s nothing you can do if the car in front of you slows down. You plow right into it. Nothing can save you.

That’s enough. Next week we’ll talk about ICAST and the new products that’ll be coming your way.

Remember, it’s all about the attitude.

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