NASCAR gets Politically Correct

NASCAR just noticed why so few black folks attend their stock car races; it's that gosh-darned Confederate flag that's been virtually synonymous with the sport since its very inception! It's about time they noticed!

And there's more good news; the newly enlightened NASCAR brain trust is also taking steps to make hispanic fans feel more comfortable. Yup, no more playing footsie with blabber-mouth bigot Donald Trump! That should pack the stands at future races!

Hopefully these are just the first baby steps in NASCAR's new age of sensitivity and inclusiveness. Here's a few suggestions that are sure to broaden the appeal of stock car racing even more:

• replace hotdogs with soydogs at the concession stands, because no living critter had to die to make a soydog
• introduce measures to make NASCAR more LGBT friendly
• cut out those Air Force flyovers in the pre-race ceremonies; it's offensive to pacifists
• eliminate national anthem because it makes Canadian fans feel left out
• get rid of that benediction before the race; it excludes atheists and people of other faiths
• award Cup points for trying hard, because winning isn't everything!

Blood Sport: Daytona and "the big one"

Who remembers the Le Mans catastrophe of 1955?

A Mercedes race car left the track and killed 83 spectators. A further 120 were seriously injured. The accident took Mercedes out of racing for a generation.

I was reminded of this while watching the Nationwide race from Daytona this afternoon.

They had "the big one" late in the race. I saw the 52 car slide right underneath the car in front. Anything could have happened.

Sooner or later "anything" will happen. A car will launch into the grandstand at 200 mph. Scores will die. Scores more will be maimed. Lawyers will have a field day for the next twenty years.

And isn't that what compels us to watch?