Confessions of a NASCAR Neophyte

By Chris Carpenter
CBN.com Producer

CBN.com - It is mid-February which can only mean one thing for ardent, dyed in the red, white, and blue sports fans across America. You know what I am talking about. The roar of thunder. The smell of burning rubber. Checkered flags, aerodynamic drag, and dirty air. It is time to stress the strategic significance of getting pole position and the dreaded nuisance of marbles on the track. To fans, silly season is very serious business. Simply said, this is the beginning of the greatest sport on wheels, NASCAR season.

I must confess I know little to absolutely nothing about NASCAR other than what it stands for National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. In fact, I wouldnt know weight jacking from a car jacking. But I do know one thing, this sport is very important to millions of people across this great nation.

With that in mind, I made up my mind several years ago to learn the finer points of a sport that previously had been nothing more than a whirl of brightly painted cars and motor oil pitchmen to me.

Aside from my mother speaking of the "Hell Drivers" at our local county fair, auto racing was never even a side note in dinner time conversations. I grew up thinking Richard Petty was some sort of famous cowboy because he was always wearing a cowboy hat in the commercials he appeared in. However, NASCAR came squarely into focus for me about five years ago.

At a friends wedding reception, he introduced me to his new brother in law who just happened to be a member of the pit crew for the Interstate Battery racing team. Flexing my very limited knowledge of auto racing I tried to sound as if I knew what I was talking about.

"The pit crew, huh? So, you get paid to change tires for a living?"

"Well, it is a bit more sophisticated than that, but yes, changing tires is part of the equation for successful racing," he replied as a small smirk creased his face.

Feeling bold I pressed the conversation further.

"So, how fast can you change a tire? For me, if the lug nuts arent jammed on there too tightly I can usually have the donut on in about 12 to 15 minutes," I said proudly.

"We are usually looking at seven to ten seconds," he said flatly.

"Yeah, but you have one of those fancy rivet gun, popper, gizmo thing-ies," I responded as I began to flex my bicep. "I have seen those on television. For me, I just use good old fashioned elbow grease."

End of conversation. My friend quickly whisked me away from the table.

Sadly, my tales of NASCAR woe do not end there.

Shortly after moving to Virginia, I was having dinner at a local restaurant on a lazy, hazy summer evening when I was approached by a man who posed the following question to me.

"Who won the race this afternoon?"

"What race?" I asked innocently.

"What race!?!" he bellowed incredulously as I cowered in my booth. "The Pepsi 400. Thats the race Im talking about."

"Sorry sir, I have absolutely no idea who won the Pepsi 400 this afternoon," I meekly replied, quickly realizing that NASCAR bordered on religion in these parts.

"You mean to tell me that you live in this state, in Ricky Rudds (NASCAR driver) backyard, and you dont know who won the race today?" he lamented.

"Sir, I dont want you to think I am being rude or disrespectful but I would like to point out that you dont know who won either," I responded. "So, I guess in some respects we are both in the same boat. We both dont know who won but I would like to point out that for the record, your knowledge of the sport is far superior to mine."

It was a witty response in hopes of diffusing a potentially volatile situation. It worked.

He glared at me as if I were from another planet and then shuffled off to another table where I am sure he received a more favorable response.

I made a decision that evening that I would never speak publicly about NASCAR again. I was tired of being embarrassed by my severe lack of auto racing knowledge. This philosophy worked splendidly until last summer.

In an effort to get to know my new neighbors better I made a valiant effort one Sunday afternoon to go over and introduce myself. Upon arriving in their driveway, I discovered that they were watching something on television in their garage. I poked my head in and announced who I was. Upon exchanging pleasantries, much to my chagrin, I discovered they were watching a NASCAR race. I purposefully remained quiet in hopes that I would not have to engage in an auto racing discussion. Finally, after sitting silently for several awkward minutes, my neighbor turned and asked me a dreaded question.

"So, who is your favorite driver?"

My mind raced as I frantically attempted to locate a name from the dark, cobwebbed, recesses of my mind. Only one resonated in my conscience.

"Ricky Craven," I said confidently.

"Ricky Craven? He stinks!!!" my neighbor chortled.

I stared blankly at my feet knowing I had failed again in my quest to enter the NASCAR brotherhood of sports fans. For the sake of the argument I attempted to rationalize my statement.

"Well, you see, I am from Maine and Ricky Craven is the only driver who is from there. He is a local hero in my state and I try to support my fellow Mainers. It is always good to see the hometown boy do well for himself."

"He still stinks," my neighbor laughed.

Case closed. I decided that fateful day last summer that I could never be a true NASCAR fan. My decision was based on three factors. First, it is hard to be a true believer in something you know little about. Secondly, it is difficult to even be interested in an activity that carries little emotional fervor no matter how hard you try. Finally, it isnt easy for anyone to be mocked or ridiculed.

In I Samuel 16:7 it says, "But the Lord said to Samuel, Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

In this passage of scripture, the Lord speaks of Jesse's older son Eliab, not David, who was tall and handsome, an impressive looking man. Samuel may have been trying to find someone who looked like Eliab to be Israels next king, but God warned him against judging by appearance alone. When people judge someone by their outward appearance, they may overlook individual qualities in a person that are ultimately much more important.

It is important to remember that God does not judge us as others judge us. Instead, He looks inside us. He knows our complete potential and knows how it can most effectively be used. The key is to allow God to show us His leading. If we do so, He will help us use what He has given us to His glory. And if you really think about it, He will show us what our best interests are.

By all appearances I am not the most astute observer of NASCAR etiquette. But ultimately it just doesnt matter whether I know dirty air from dirty socks. All that matters is that God judges me by my faith and character. While most people realize that I am a complete novice when it comes to auto racing, God doesnt care. Only He knows what my heart really looks like from the inside. What steps are you taking in your own life to improve your hearts attitude.

Information used in this article from The Transformer Study Bible and the Associated Press.

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