surfnsprint

Legendary

Race 23

Final Race of the 2006 Season

November 18^th, 2006

It’s Saturday morning and I’m writing the review for tonight’s race. I’m not going to be there and it’s almost killing me. However, I’m predicting that Luis Espinoza ends a brilliant year by winning the 2006 VRA Sprint Championship despite a heroic late season rally by Ventura’s great Greg Taylor……..

It’s hard to imagine the blood, sweat and tears that Luis Espinoza has poured into the 2006 season. At the end of last season, he was discouraged by his lackluster finish and determined to forget the points, cut back his schedule and race for the fun of it. But at season’s start, it seemed that he was shot out of a cannon and streaked to the front of the pack. Quick readjustment of his game plan and he has finished top ten in twenty out of twenty two races. Strength, speed and unbridled dedication to car preparation and maintenance have defined this champion’s approach. True to his friends, fierce competitor, all about having fun with life, Luis Espinoza conducts himself as a champion both on and off the track.

And although I am spot on about that, I may have the finish wrong…

Greg Taylor has consistently blown away all of the standard descriptions that apply to greatness. Scorching speed and broad sweeping power turns. He has an uncanny feel for the Ventura mud lapping underneath his wheels. A close relationship with his father has bequeathed Greg light years of experience and understanding in sprint car construction and racing. Greg has applied a strong work ethic to that knowledge and seems to be taking it to a new level. The red 47 has almost a mythical quality when it rolls on the track. Fans and drivers alike afford it a rare respect. Taylor leads in main event wins this season with five victories in twenty one races!

At the end of a year where I have been immersed in race results, I have almost a resigned reaction to tonight’s ending. For me, both Greg and Luis are champions and if not tonight, sooner than later. It has been a year where I have been able to get to know them both. Luis is like a big kid, happy and thrilled to be excelling at something he loves. Greg is quiet and unassuming, until he climbs into a race car and asserts himself. I call them both friends and that has been a rich reward for me. In this life, what I most appreciate and enjoy is people who do difficult things with grace and style.

Something else will happen tonight. I don’t know who or when, but someone else will step up and do something great. Drivers like Conrad, Wakim, Kershaw, Kierce and Crawford make anything possible. Henderson, Buckley, Figueroa and Hendricks will be smashing the bar soon. You can’t pay for dedication the likes of Conway, Thomson or Nock. You couldn’t begin to hope for the heart in people like Rutherford, Rodriquez or Camarillo. The whole stage is loaded with talent, drama, action, tragedy and unbelievable heartwarming endings. How did we get here?

I need to comment on a few things as I exit stage right….

All of the articles, photos, musing and rantings were enabled and encouraged by my good friend, Frank Bigham. It has been a gas to work with this edgy, funny, dedicated, soulful race car loving talent. That was a good time, Frank!

Thanks to Morris and the whole Ventura track crew. You guys do an incredible job of taking care of everyone in what can be a dangerous sport. It was also special to be in the tower this year with a lot of hard working people. I want to thank Scott Holder and his team for all the good times and consideration they showed me. Mike Truex is the most knowledgeable and pleasant person I have ever talked racing with! Thanks for all the fog shrouded nights we sat on the roof and talked speedway. Loudpedal rules! The biggest privilege was sitting next to Cliff Morgan all season. As racing director, Cliff is the glue that holds all the pieces together over the course of a race night. Big family man, I got to meet his daughter, son in law, son and grand kids. Over the course of the season, they would all climb the stairs and visit. Cliff gave me a good education in the mechanics of racing. And don’t forget that cool race chick; Jammy has always about a big smile and a helping hand. Lastly, thanks to the guy who puts us all in the pits, in the stands, in the cars and on the track. Strong enough to make it happen, tough enough to ignore the criticism, smart enough to understand all the angles, Jim Naylor has had the heart to put it together for thirty years! Thirty years of promoting racing at Ventura Raceway! There’s only one way to describe that kind of history. Legendary.

posted: 3:13 PM