When two hijacked airliners slammed into the World Trade Centers and another hit the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001, all things American underwent a quick and lasting change. Gone was the notion that we as a people were somehow immune to the predations of a dangerously devout band of evil terrorists. That sort of thing happens elsewhere, right? Not here, not in the good old U.S. of A.
In light of the sudden attack, which left thousands dead and families fractured across the breadth and depth of our nation, the idea of attending scheduled sporting events quickly faded into the mist of national mourning. NASCAR postponed its planned Winston Cup event at New Hampshire International Speedway, the Indy Racing League delayed its season finale at Texas Motor Speedway and many sanctioning bodies followed suit. It was the right thing to do for all concerned. Racing just didn't seem to matter as much as it did a few days earlier.
To its credit, the sporting community banded together in both denouncing the terrorist acts and jumping to the fore to help out. Racing teams and fans from all over donated money, blood and other vital supplies to the rescue and recovery effort and lent their prayers and moral support to those most affected. Perhaps the most visceral moment of this outpouring of love, concern and caring occurred on the weekend, when many local racing facilities turned off the lights and held candlelight vigils for the dead and missing.
The racing community, from the smallest weekly short track to the largest sanctioning bodies and teams, has always been a good neighbor, generous with its hard-earned money and time and steadfast in its support of the American way of life. Who can forget the efforts of the community when Hurricane Hugo flattened parts of the Carolinas? Or when farmers in the south were facing severe drought conditions? Or in any of a number of other, similar situations? Teams loaded up their expensive transporters and hauled supplies, building materials and other necessities to effected areas. Drivers and other luminaries raised money for relief efforts. Fans rallied around the cause.
We can be proud of our response to this national crisis, both for the support given freely to those in need and the critical relief provided by the sport itself in easing some of the tension. It is somehow comforting to turn on the television and replace the sight of burning, collapsed buildings and shattered spirits with the speed and color of a motorsports event. It is a reminder to all that there are better times ahead, despite the darkness of the days just recently passed.
We will come through this turbulent period in our lives, and we as a nation and a community will walk tall with heads high through it all. Gentlemen, start your engines, and God bless America.-Ron Lemasters Jr.
www.circletrack.comSteve ZepezauerDirector, Motorsports GroupRon Lemasters Jr.EditorJeff HuneycuttSenior EditorBob MyersWinston Cup EditorMeghan FrazierAssociate EditorTom RoundsAssociate EditorDenise RoundsManaging EditorMelinda FlemingCopy EditorBecky YorkAd CoordinatorCarolyn WoodardArt DirectorGlen WilkinsonOnline Editor, www.circletrack.comDavid MillerGroup Marketing Director
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