Farmers’ tans, port-a-pots, toothless men dropping “Benjies” on colorful pit crew memorabilia…I LOVE IT. That is right, I love NASCAR- and even better, I am proud of it! Where else can you find 150,000 people cheering for 43 different teams in one big asphalt covered, exhaust fume smelling cathedral of speed? NO WHERE!
NASCAR is not just a sport, it is a lifestyle. In my recent trip to Michigan International Speedway, I met numerous race fans that were friendly, fun, and living life as everyone should. Very few would pass our “yes, we are five guys cruising in a minivan” ride parked in the muddy lots, without saying hello. It was neat, it was fun, it was almost better than the feeling a Star Wars fan gets when getting Chewbacca’s autograph and finding a piece of Chewy hair on the Sharpie!
This brings me to a point that I have wanted to share for quite some time. Meeting new people is the best, not to mention, easiest way to discover your hidden passions. When I moved into my first year residence hall room at Simpson, I thought NASCAR was a bunch of cars with out of shape, southern drawl speakin’, drivers making left-hand turns for four hours interrupting my regularly scheduled broadcast of Wonder Years re-runs. Then I met this cat that was always decked out in his #21 Ricky Rudd ball cap. (Occasionally accompanied by the matching T-shirt). At first, I thought-“LOSER”. Then I decided I would say hello to him…This became a habit, and I decided I would actually sit an talk with him…then I befriended him…then I decided to room with him…then I started watching NASCAR with him…then I started going to nascar.com and discussing strategies of NASCAR teams with him…then it hit me, I was addicted to NASCAR. I had found a passion. How? By taking a step out of my comfort zone and introducing myself to the guy wearing the funny racing hat. Now, I am one of those #20 Tony Stewart Home Depot Chevy, Gatorade, Sunoco ball cap wearing dudes!
So what am I saying? I am saying that although something or someone might seem strange or different, you just may not know what it or they are all about. Take a chance. Do something different. Watch a race, go to an event with someone that lives down the hall, or just outstretch your hand and meet someone that doesn’t look, act, or talk like you. Who knows, you might just find a hidden passion.
Simpson is a great place with diverse backgrounds and exciting and interesting people. I found who I was at Simpson (which IS more than just a NASCAR fan) and I love to watch students find themselves as they grow throughout their years here. So maybe that is what I mean when I said that the race fans were living life as they should. They were sticking their necks out there and meeting people. Taking a risk, making friends, and starting that road to finding hidden passions.
So, you probably didn’t think NASCAR would ever be used in a metaphoric way to describe friendship and learning one’s own passions. Well, you were wrong, ‘cause it just happened!
Just remember, take a shot, you only get one chance to live, you might as well not go it alone!
NASCAR is not just a sport, it is a lifestyle. In my recent trip to Michigan International Speedway, I met numerous race fans that were friendly, fun, and living life as everyone should. Very few would pass our “yes, we are five guys cruising in a minivan” ride parked in the muddy lots, without saying hello. It was neat, it was fun, it was almost better than the feeling a Star Wars fan gets when getting Chewbacca’s autograph and finding a piece of Chewy hair on the Sharpie!
This brings me to a point that I have wanted to share for quite some time. Meeting new people is the best, not to mention, easiest way to discover your hidden passions. When I moved into my first year residence hall room at Simpson, I thought NASCAR was a bunch of cars with out of shape, southern drawl speakin’, drivers making left-hand turns for four hours interrupting my regularly scheduled broadcast of Wonder Years re-runs. Then I met this cat that was always decked out in his #21 Ricky Rudd ball cap. (Occasionally accompanied by the matching T-shirt). At first, I thought-“LOSER”. Then I decided I would say hello to him…This became a habit, and I decided I would actually sit an talk with him…then I befriended him…then I decided to room with him…then I started watching NASCAR with him…then I started going to nascar.com and discussing strategies of NASCAR teams with him…then it hit me, I was addicted to NASCAR. I had found a passion. How? By taking a step out of my comfort zone and introducing myself to the guy wearing the funny racing hat. Now, I am one of those #20 Tony Stewart Home Depot Chevy, Gatorade, Sunoco ball cap wearing dudes!
So what am I saying? I am saying that although something or someone might seem strange or different, you just may not know what it or they are all about. Take a chance. Do something different. Watch a race, go to an event with someone that lives down the hall, or just outstretch your hand and meet someone that doesn’t look, act, or talk like you. Who knows, you might just find a hidden passion.
Simpson is a great place with diverse backgrounds and exciting and interesting people. I found who I was at Simpson (which IS more than just a NASCAR fan) and I love to watch students find themselves as they grow throughout their years here. So maybe that is what I mean when I said that the race fans were living life as they should. They were sticking their necks out there and meeting people. Taking a risk, making friends, and starting that road to finding hidden passions.
So, you probably didn’t think NASCAR would ever be used in a metaphoric way to describe friendship and learning one’s own passions. Well, you were wrong, ‘cause it just happened!
Just remember, take a shot, you only get one chance to live, you might as well not go it alone!
Have a great weekend and GO STORM!
Andy
Andy
1 comment:
Sweet analogy dude!!
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