Interesting scene this afternoon at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Lots of racing dignitaries were in the house for the announcement of Hall of Fame Class No.2, which I thought should include David Pearson, Bobby Allison, Lee Petty, Cale Yarborough and Darrell Waltrip.
The first three made it. The last two didn't -- they were replaced by Ned Jarrett (the longtime driver/broadcaster/all-around-nice-guy) and Bud Moore (an extremely respected crew chief/owner/war hero).
Nothing against Jarrett and Moore -- who should have gotten in but I believe in Class No.3 -- but I thought Yarborough and Waltrip got the short end of the stick on this one. Both had over 80 victories in NASCAR's top series, rank in the top 5 in victories all-time... and didn't make it.
Yarborough was in South Carolina, scheduled for oral surgery, he told The Observer's Ron Green Jr. earlier in the week. So it was a painful day for him in a couple of respects.
But Waltrip? He was front and center, maybe 30 feet from NASCAR CEO Brian France as the names were announced. After he lost, he had to interview all the winners on TV.
My column will be on Waltrip online and in Thursday's paper -- he was very disappointed, obviously, but thinks he didn't make it because at age 63 he's "too young" and is "going to be around awhile."
When the five names were read and he wasn't among them, I was watching them. His face drained of color.
We're moving!
9 years ago
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5 comments:
Nice sappy column on the "victim" Waltrip. Big deal. He'll make the Hall That No One Visits next year. To campaign for induction is tacky at best. The fact he "had to interiew" the winners is a joke, too. I doubt anyone held a gun to his head forcing him to be a racing commentator, Scott.
So, I guess you and Darrell are drinking buddies or something?
What a homo that first replying comment writer is.
Who cares about waltrip.His "boogety,boogety,boogety" saying just before the start of each race has gotten very old. Come up with something new darrell,and maybe you'll be more respected.I think his broadcasting feud with rusty wallace has hurt him also.His brother michael being a limp wrist hasn't helped either!!
Say what? The billionaire Founding Father of NASCAR and racing in Charlotte NC plus owner of more tracks on the planet than anyone dissed again? Mr. Bruton Smith will just have to buy the whole joint out lock stock and barrel for this and make the correct choices.
Nonsensical lyrics from the 1961 novelty song "Who Put The Bomp (In The Bomp, Bomp, Bomp) " by Barry Mann.
The song charted in the US on Billboard's Hot 100 for twelve weeks, and reached # 7
It was co-written by Mann with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Gerry Coffin.
Each time that we're alone
Boogity boogity boogity
Boogity boogity boogity shoo
Sets my baby's heart all aglow
Originally used by Grand Ole Opry comedian Jerry Clower (1926-1998) in a tale of coon hunting, wherein a 'city feller' brings a chimpanzee to a coon hunt to prove the chimp's superior skills over traditional coon hunting dogs. Recently adopted by NASCAR color commentator and retired champion driver Darrell Waltrip, shouted as the green flag waves to begin the race, followed by "Let's go racin, boys!"
"That ol' chimpanzee went up that tree, boogity boogity boogity..."
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