|
By Marty Smith, Turner Sports Interactive
March 21, 2003
5:54 PM EST (2254 GMT)
Considering the circumstances presently surrounding our nation, little aside from the war seems to hold much relevance, including stock car racing.
Therefore, the space that this column usually occupies is replaced with the feelings of some of those in the NASCAR community. It's not PR fluff. It's real, heartfelt opinions about America at war.
The "grand scheme" has smacked us square in the jaw, and suddenly there is heightened awareness about what is truly important.
Family. Friends. Freedom. In other words, exactly what our troops are leaving behind in an effort to preserve a free land for us, our children and grandchildren.
God Bless them, each and every one. And God Bless America.
 | SUPPORT OUR TROOPS | | | | | | | |
|
|
Jimmie Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet:
"I'm scared just like everyone else in the world is, but I know we need to go in there and rectify the situation, eliminate some bad guys and be sure that any weapons of mass destruction are destroyed. At the same time, it's very scary, and hopefully we can keep a handle on things here at home and be sure nothing happens to us here.
"I would imagine there are people I know that are over there. From the involvement I had with the S.E.A.L.S. in San Diego, when I was out there desert racing. With the off-road racing and the jobs I had, we met a lot of Navy S.E.A.L.S and built a bunch of friendships with those guys who built the desert buggies.
"Those things are full-fledged desert racing machines, with 50-caliber guns on the roof. The guy riding shotgun has an M-16. It's really cool stuff. So I'd imagine I know people over there, and obviously I pray they'll all stay safe.
"I want to say thank you to the guys for being so courageous, for leaving their families and friends to go off and defend our country and risk their lives for the betterment of the world. It's not just for us. It's for the whole world. They're awfully brave people."
Jim Hunter, NASCAR vice president for corporate communications:
"Having served in the Army, even though I've never been to war, I know that's what you prepare for. I totally agree with the President's tough decision, and thank goodness we've got a President who's willing to make a tough decision. I totally forget about all the politics going on. When you're talking about preserving the freedom that we enjoy in this country, you have to cast politics aside.
"I think our President is convinced that Saddam Hussein is a threat to our society, and I think his decision to do whatever he can to eliminate that threat is a wise decision. I want my grandchildren to grow up where they don't have to worry about maniacs with chemical weapons or nuclear weapons.
"I want the world to be a safe place to live. I'm going to think about the troops. I have friends over there like everybody else. Plus, I think it's very important for everybody to keep living their lives, that no matter what, we can't be intimidated by terrorists. We've got to live our lives and do the things that our country is all about -- day in and day out."
Chad Knaus, crew chief for Jimmie Johnson's No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet:
"I'm concerned, I'm not going to lie to you. My concern is that the United Nations hasn't banded together to solve this problem better than they have. I'm concerned that the United States has to stand up and take control of the situation like this.
"I'm concerned that we don't have enough alliance throughout the United Nations. France, Japan, Russia -- they're all major superpowers and they're not standing behind us.
"Look, we can wipe out Saddam in a heartbeat. We all know that. That's not what concerns me. It's the aftermath that has me concerned. In the racing industry, it could be nothing. It could be a moot point. It may not affect us at all. But if it carries on, racing will be affected very hard, because recreation, monies, things like that will become not nearly as important.
"They want us to keep football, baseball, basketball, racing, all going just to keep the moral enthusiasm of the United States intact. But you know as well as I do that everybody's going to take a major hit if this thing lasts. I don't think it'll be like Desert Storm, I think this thing will last.
"But I support President Bush, and I support our troops. I don't think anyone has anything for us. We're the baddest sons of (guns) out there. But you don't know what they have over there. God forbid they bust out chemical warfare on our guys over there, or over here for that matter."
Elliott Sadler, driver of the No. 38 M&Ms Ford:
"I usually try to stay out of the political forefront, but I'll give you a brief summary on my feelings about Iraq. I support our President and more importantly our troops. If our leaders think it is in our best interest to take action against Iraq, then I'm definitely not going to be on the other side of the fence.
"We, as Americans, enjoy our freedom but tend to forget other countries in the world are not as fortunate as we are. If we can disarm Saddam and free all of the Iraqi citizens, then I hope we are successful. I think the civilians in Iraq live in fear for their lives and we have the opportunity to make their lives better if our efforts are successful.
"I do not want to see civilian lives taken but I don't want to continue to see Americans live in fear. If we wait for something else to happen here in America before taking action then I think we've waited to long.
"This thing with Iraq is not about Republicans versus Democrats, it's about doing what's best to preserve human life and delivering peace into a nation that otherwise may not be so peaceful. God Bless America."
Kenny Wallace, driver of the No. 23 Stacker 2 Dodge:
"First of all, I'm 100 percent behind our President and our country. If you're not, you need to live somewhere else.
"I feel strongly about the war and it effects me. It's all over TV. Matter of fact, me and my sister-in-law agree to disagree on going to war. We talked about it for a long time Tuesday night before Bristol. We had a long conversation at the kitchen table about it. I was telling her why we should go to war, but she says we don't have enough evidence. I told her 'Yes we do have enough.'
"If you've been watching TV, that man (Saddam Hussein) has been given 12 years. In every manner he completely defies everybody, at all times. And with France saying that they'll never use their vote, it's a moot point.
"Diplomacy was over at that time. What the hell you going to do, right? He's been given 12 years. 12 years! We wanted to create another resolution to give them 30 more days. So what're you going to do? We tried. Now we have to do something about it."
Jay Frye, MB2/MBV Motorsports general manager:
"Obviously, our teams are very close to the U.S. Army, and are extremely proud to be a part of the Army of One. We're concerned, sure, but we're not worried. Our troops are extremely well prepared. We've met these guys, and we've seen that.
| Marty Smith | | | | | | |
|
|
"I've learned it with the way the Army does day-to-day business. The longer I'm around then, the prouder I get that they're out there defending our freedom. We as Americans should be proud of that.
"The Army is very unique. It's kind of like the NASCAR family -- a very close-knit group that watches each other's backs, even though we're out there competing. It's the same-type deal in the Army. They're out there competing for promotions, but they're close-knit. They watch each other's back.
"Especially in times like this. It's a pleasure to deal with them. It makes me very, very proud. It's an unusual sponsorship. It's not a brand. It's a way of life, and gives me the goose bumps just to talk about it.
"You know, we complain all the time about the sacrifices we have to make in racing, with our long season and all, but it pales in comparison to the sacrifices our soldiers make. It really puts it in perspective. What we do is not that bad a deal, and it's because of them that we can."
Joe Nemechek, driver of the No. 25 UAW-Delphi Chevrolet:
"As far as the war, it's unfortunate that we do have to go to war but I support President Bush and everything he's doing. We had a tragedy in 2001, with 9/11, and saw what terrorists can do. We haven't had many terrorist attacks in the U.S., so that really opened our eyes.
"There's a reason that President Bush and all the Republican and Democratic senators and congressmen are saying we need to do this. I think someone needs to go in there and clean house. The potential is very bad that Saddam, by funding the right people with the right things, could hurt a lot of people. And in war, there's always going to be loss of life, whether it's us or the Iraqis.
| |
 |
| Joe Nemechek |
"That's tough, but I know someone has to step up to the plate and do it. I was very impressed with the President's speech the other night. The UN is there for a reason. And myself, I've been asking my wife -- we always discuss this stuff -- why in the world are there people that, before you even do anything, say they're going to veto whatever you're trying to submit?
"Then, you listen to Colin Powell and hear that France and these guys have major ties to (Iraq) for fuel and oil, and you see why they're so lopsided. That's not right. I think the UN did fail in what they were put in business to do.
"I support all our troops overseas that are defending our freedom. And I wish all the troops success in whatever jobs come their way. I know it's tough. My mom has a lot of friends and people she talks to, and a lot of their sons are over there. They've been gone a year, year and a half, and haven't come back yet.
"It's great living in a free country, and to be able to do what you like to do and not have to worry. But we're in a business, too. We put a lot of people in a small area and want to be sure we're secure. I like bringing my family with me to the track. That's why we have to support these guys. They're the best there is, the best in the world."
Robbie Loomis, crew chief for Jeff Gordon's No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet:
"Well, I guess we knew this unfortunate time would come. On a side note: I think it's clear why they're called the Dixie Chicks instead of the Dixie Ladies. I mean, after all, there are a lot of great men and women in our armed forces -- not chickens.
"I feel it is extremely hard for any of us to judge whether or not we should go to war without knowing all the facts. I believe strongly in our President, and our country will make the right choice for the improved quality of life for the whole world.
"I will continue to pray for our leaders and all the men and women in our armed forces and their families."
Rusty Wallace, driver of the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge:
"I'll tell you, with everything that's going on in the world right now, it's a little bit difficult to focus your full attention on racing. My chief pilot, Bill Brooks, his son Toby is over there in Afghanistan, so that's all that's on his mind.
"Every time I see him, that's all we talk about, so I find myself getting up every single morning, turning on the news and trying to learn everything I can about it.
"What you get now is what the President said the other night, and now it's all a bunch of opinions being tossed out. People like this and don't like that. But there's so much going on, it affects everybody either way. Whether it's security measures - I know we'll get affected at the racetrack.
"But that's nothing. Those troops, boy, we're pulling for those guys, that's for sure. I just hope it all works out, and quickly. Without those guys doing what they're doing, we couldn't be over doing what we love to do."
God Bless them all, each and every one.
And God Bless America.
Marty Smith is Senior Writer of NASCAR.com and the opinions listed here are solely those of the writer.
|
