07

By now, even the most casual sports fan has heard about the ugly drama that unfolded Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Drivers were universal in their disgust after the high-stakes blowout at the Brickyard.

By now, even the most casual sports fan has heard about the ugly drama that unfolded Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Drivers were universal in their disgust after the high-stakes blowout at the Brickyard.

Consider that 52 of the 160 laps ran under caution and the longest green flag period was 13 laps. Sound like $100 worth of fun?

If anything good comes out of this mess, it’s that drivers, fans and media types were so open in their criticism of NASCAR and Goodyear.

Earlier this season, NASCAR officials actually called a closed-door meeting to chastise drivers for being so open in their complaints about the generic Car of Tomorrow. Dictatorship?

With inconsistent rulings and lackluster racing with the COT, ripping NASCAR is about as easy as shooting a cow.

There’s a huge difference between throwing out insults and actually offering constructive suggestions, however.
Yes, this sport has problems but it’s still a compelling and popular spectacle on most weekends.

For some reason, many fans blindly and passionately defend anything related to the top levels of NASCAR. They will accept and defend cornball commentators, bratty drivers, crude fan behavior and boring events.

To these true believers, it’s fine to offer blanket attacks on stick-and-ball sports without facts. However, don’t you dare say anything about their sport, team or man. It’s all about being part of a community or family.

And yes, that colorful family of followers includes some members of the media who do nothing praise the sport and its stars. Objectivity anyone?

The fans who have built this once-regional game deserve so much better. It was refreshing on Tuesday to hear a NASCAR official issue an apology for Sunday’s debacle at the most hallowed ground in motorsports.

Goodyear and NASCAR should clearly share the blame for failing to predict how the current car would react to the unique conditions at Indy.
Instead of moaning and hand wringing, how about we do something to reward the earnest folks who actually fuel this billion-dollar sport.

While crowds have been down at some tracks this season, fans are still making expensive sacrifices to worship at the stock car altar.

Here’s a suggestion. Let’s honor those disciples with reduced ticket prices, reasonable concessions and free souvenirs.

Whatever the gesture, NASCAR officials and track operators need to reach out to fans who endure bore-a-thons like Sunday’s Allstate 400 yet keep coming back for more.
With gas and grocery prices slicing the family budget, the time for accountability is now.

Posted by Allen Gregory
NASCAR

Local Legends in the Pros

Thanks to the readers out there for the feedback I’ve received on my “Local Legends in the Pros” series. I am still trying to track down information on certain players and have had trouble contacting some former players and their family members and tracking down pictures of some of the stars from past eras.

So once again, if you know any relatives, have any photos or any other information on the following players, please e-mail me at

Deacon Phillippe: Rural Retreat native starred for the Pittsburgh Pirates and started the first game of the inaugural World Series in 1903. He moved from Rural Retreat at an early age and I’m not sure he has any relatives still in the area.

Scotty Barr: Bristol, Tennessee native played two seasons with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1908-09. Spent the final years of his life in Texas.

Jim Pankovits: Played for the Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox from 1984-1990. Was born in Pennington Gap (Lee County) and moved away in his youth.

Limb McKenry: Born in Piney Flats, Tenn. and pitched in the major leagues in 1915 and 1916. Spent the later years of his life in California.

Johnny Watson and Billy Baldwin: Both were born in Tazewell and both eventually reached the big leagues. Watson played briefly for the Detroit Tigers in 1930, while Baldwin played in the majors in the mid-1970s. This duo has been tough finding information on, so hopefully someone in Tazewell County can fill me in.

Walker Cress: Born in Ben Hur community of Lee County and played with the Cincinnati Reds in 1948 and 1849. I know a few athletes with that last name have participated at Lee High the last few years, so hopefully his family is still in Southwest Virginia. He lived in Baton Rouge after his playing career was over.

Lew “Noisy” Flick: Bristol native played for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1943 and 1944.

Frank Walker: Spent the latter part of his life in Bristol and was a teammate of Ty Cobb’s with the Detroit Tigers in 1917 and 1918.

Dave Hillman: Born in Scott County and later played in the majors from 1955-1962.

Charlie Caldwell: Bristol native earned later fame as the football coach at Princeton University and is in the College Football Hall of Fame. Two-sport star also spent time with the 1925 New York Yankees.

Bernie Creger: Born in Wytheville and played for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1947. Passed away in 1997 in Lynchburg. I know the Creger name is common in Wythe County, so hopefully his family is out there and can help me out.

Clarence Fletcher “Lefty” Thomas: Glade Spring native pitched in the majors in mid-1920s.

Clarence “Tilly” Walker: Born in Telford, Tenn. and later lived in Unicoi County. Power hitter during the infancy of MLB. Thanks for the commenter on the previous blog for pointing out Mr. Walker’s career to me.

Any help would be greatly appreciated and thanks again for your feedback.

Posted by Tim Hayes