Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Life In Regional Series Can Be Very Rewarding...

They don't make millions, but benefits outweigh negatives
By Raygan Swan, NASCAR.COM



They don't make millions, have high-dollar endorsement deals or charge insulting fees for autograph sessions. They certainly don't wear Hollywood-sized sunglasses during interviews or wax their eyebrows before their hero card photo is taken.

These men still wear mustaches and buy their own Wranglers. They walk to their race cars with their wives, not a publicist with a clipboard. And they drink whatever the hell they want to.

They are the backbone of NASCAR's grassroots racing series, the veterans who choose a simpler existence over the high-maintenance lifestyle today's NASCAR Cup Series drivers endure.

Often overlooked by today's news media in favor of modern day racing heroes, the short-track veterans and regional racers are still deserving of accolades. Fans of all ages still want to know about the men who whooped up on Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch back in the day.
The series in which these veterans race, NASCAR's developmental series, is the foundation of NASCAR. Without them, you don't have the training grounds for the sport's three national series: Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck.

It's where the young drivers come to learn and the veterans are there to dole out the tough lessons and send them on their way with great pride. But some misinformed folks like to refer to these men as 'lifers,' older guys passed their prime unable to reach the big leagues -- has-beens if you will.

After hearing their stories, you'll realize it's quite the contrary. These veterans enjoy a greater personal satisfaction, spend more time at home with family and have the freedom of self expression without persecution.

They have a good life but are by no means lifers.

Click here for their stories...


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