As a child of a driver, normally I would have let slide the negativity my Dad has unfairly faced this week, but there were a few points that I could not stop thinking about and so I felt the need to share them… Our sport, NASCAR, is built on the passion of the fans and rivalry of drivers. Fans that passionately identify with “their” driver! I say, let the fans debate…it is great for the sport. Drivers, I say, let the rivalry rage on! If you are a professional in our sport…it is my opinion however, it is unprofessional to bash anyone. If a professional within this business has a hard time understanding how to debate (without bashing), then I question your professionalism. Personally, I have never condoned, nor been a fan of public bashing. Sometimes we forget the power of words. Public bashing or Social media bashing in turn, tends to trigger what I call the pack instinct. One dog attacks, then the whole pack jumps in. However, in being fair, I am also reminded that men and woman have died for the freedom of speech! In my opinion, that doesn’t make it right to be disrespectful with your speech, post, text, or tweets…but I will and do, support your right to have your opinion. As I have witnessed this type of behavior this past week, I have never been more proud of my father. With dignity and class, he has weathered the storm of “disrespect” that so many have hurled at him. He has quietly shown you do not have to degrade someone to defend yourself, or make a point. Athletics: I realize that some have debated that the “NASCAR” driver is an athlete and I totally agree. But that athlete doesn’t have to be able to complete a Tri-Athlon to be considered an athlete, does he/she? You have your drivers like Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kane, Josh Wise, and Carl Edwards that could run as many laps on foot as their cars! But the “athlete” mentality should not stop there! What about the rest of the field, they might not have the 6 pack abs, but they are every bit the athlete. I can’t even imagine the pain that Tony Stewart has went through to get back in his car and compete, the uphill battles that Landon Cassill and Joe Nemecheck struggle with to maintain their spot in a 43 car field as they drive with as much heart as Jeff Gordon. Danica Patrick might be 110 lbs., soaking wet, but no one is more determined and dedicated to put their car in the winner circle! You have a modern day pioneer in the Nationwide Series in young Ryan Reed as he races with Diabetes. And yes, there is my father, the ABNORMAL, 72 year old that can run a Cup race, get out of the car and not even be winded. No oxygen needed, no assistance to be removed from the car, or GPS to find the garage, because he forgot where to park his car. Because Morgan Shepherd is an athlete at 72, he can keep a pace of working all week on his car, drive his motor coach to the track and be in the garage at 6 AM all weekend, working and turning wrenches. At 69 years old, my father was at the Las Vegas Wal Mart and witnessed a 15 & 18 year old running by as they had just robbed the store. My father took off in pursuit and actually caught/tackled the 15 year old and sat on top of him until security came with hand cuffs. Just google it! That is not your typical older person. That is an athlete…NOT an embarrassment waiting to happen #RUDE! Rightfully so, I question some of the accuracy of reporting that occurred in Sunday’s race. Especially when you have a reporter that is negative to a competitor even prior to the race. Every week there are “slow” cars on the track…and not just one car. If you have a problem with it, I suggest you debate the NASCAR implemented “minimum speed rule #norulesbroken! I can assure you, the incident that occurred on the track was not age related. My father has such respect for his competitors and NASCAR, that when his body becomes unfit for competition, he will be the first to lay the steering wheel on the dash and walk away. I have said to many of my friends within the NASCAR community, if you are going to be in this arena, you better have big shoulders. As far as I can see, my Dad’s reaction to the disrespect that he has endured shows his are as wide as any in the sport! #respect! Fans & drivers…”have at it boys!”…professionals (media, spotters, crew chiefs)…stay professional! Just a daughter’s prospective.
Posted on: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 04:25:25 +0000
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