What's the significance of 34? That is now the number of regular to semi-regular entrants in NASCAR's 2011 Sprint Cup Series that have posted at least one win in their career. Regan Smith with his exciting win last Saturday night in Darlington just became the newest member of this not so exclusive club. Regan represents the second new inductee along with Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne this season...
Now think about this. Every racing weekend in NASCAR Sprint Cup usually pits around 30 past winners against each other... (Bill Elliott, Terry Labonte, Steve Park, Ken Schrader and Michael Waltrip have been in races this season but not on a regular basis) Winning at this level is tough!
It's like racing with a pack of hungry wolves!
Regan's victory, racing most of these past Sprint Cup winners, is only magnified since it came on NASCAR's version of Wrigley Field, Darlington's infamous "Lady In Black" AKA "The Track Too Tough To Tame" in one of NASCAR's premier events, The Southern 500.
Regan's sponsor, Front Row Furniture, runs a one pony show, so to speak. Driving for an underfunded throw-back team based in Denver Colorado, a team that ran a limited schedule as recently as 2009 and moved to a full-time run just last year fielding only the number 78 Chevrolet, Regan has won this prestigious race against all odds.
Smith's story is compelling in it's own right. Seeing their son's auto racing ability, Regan's parents uprooted from New York and moved south so the boy could properly develop his skills. They essentially gave up their lives for their son.
Darlington represents vindication in many ways...
Congratulations to Regan Smith, team owner Barney Visser and all those who never gave up hope!
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar