Dedication to David
Well, David did a great job today of both breaking my heart and making me love him even more.
After completing second practice in 12th – the second fastest go-or-go-home car – this afternoon he was being interviewed on NASCAR Live. He was asked about the pressure he is being faced with because he has to qualify on time for the Daytona 500, and knowing David, I expected one of the most heartfelt and honest answers a driver could give. I got it.
David paused and the genuine emotion that appeared on his face was as clear as day. He replied after a moment that this was his life, and that qualifying is like life or death. They have to make races – they just have to. When he stopped talking he looked afraid but put a quick smile on his face to mask it. Yet his eyes were averted and he came across as being very shaken. David had just openly shown his heart to the world, and had let the fans into the mind of himself as well as Michael Waltrip, Brian Vickers, Jeremy Mayfield, Ward Burton, Brandon Whitt, Kenny Wallace, Paul Menard and all the other drivers who are not guaranteed a spot in the greatest race in the world.
I couldn’t help but getting choked up myself. In a short time I’ve grown extremely attached to David…he is one of the truest drivers out there. He has so much raw talent and it terrifies me to think that he could miss the Daytona 500 and other races to come. How would Domino’s and the once-skeptical Burger King react if David struggles? How understanding will they be that David is a rookie with a rookie team and a rookie manufacturer? Will they give him a chance to develop or will they demand someone else? Do they see that David could be a champion and a superstar or do they want instant results, like what is becoming more disappointingly popular these days?
Concerning the go-or-go-homers, the magic number of three is being tossed around – the top three fastest single-car qualifiers. They say that if a non-top 35 driver is part of the trio of fastest qualifiers they have a good chance of being locked in. Using today’s second practice, David would be second and Michael would be third, so that gives me hope. But despite all that my stress level is through the roof! If qualifying doesn’t go well tomorrow – okay, technically today – it’s going to be a long week till Thursday.
After completing second practice in 12th – the second fastest go-or-go-home car – this afternoon he was being interviewed on NASCAR Live. He was asked about the pressure he is being faced with because he has to qualify on time for the Daytona 500, and knowing David, I expected one of the most heartfelt and honest answers a driver could give. I got it.
David paused and the genuine emotion that appeared on his face was as clear as day. He replied after a moment that this was his life, and that qualifying is like life or death. They have to make races – they just have to. When he stopped talking he looked afraid but put a quick smile on his face to mask it. Yet his eyes were averted and he came across as being very shaken. David had just openly shown his heart to the world, and had let the fans into the mind of himself as well as Michael Waltrip, Brian Vickers, Jeremy Mayfield, Ward Burton, Brandon Whitt, Kenny Wallace, Paul Menard and all the other drivers who are not guaranteed a spot in the greatest race in the world.
I couldn’t help but getting choked up myself. In a short time I’ve grown extremely attached to David…he is one of the truest drivers out there. He has so much raw talent and it terrifies me to think that he could miss the Daytona 500 and other races to come. How would Domino’s and the once-skeptical Burger King react if David struggles? How understanding will they be that David is a rookie with a rookie team and a rookie manufacturer? Will they give him a chance to develop or will they demand someone else? Do they see that David could be a champion and a superstar or do they want instant results, like what is becoming more disappointingly popular these days?
Concerning the go-or-go-homers, the magic number of three is being tossed around – the top three fastest single-car qualifiers. They say that if a non-top 35 driver is part of the trio of fastest qualifiers they have a good chance of being locked in. Using today’s second practice, David would be second and Michael would be third, so that gives me hope. But despite all that my stress level is through the roof! If qualifying doesn’t go well tomorrow – okay, technically today – it’s going to be a long week till Thursday.
