Recently I've been hearing some rumblings among a few of you who are kind enough to read this blog that I've been focusing far too much on a single driver instead of covering the entire roster of participants in NASCAR.  Nothing could be further from the truth.

Don't forget the "Diary For Dale" contest starts today!  You can win one of two 2008 Dale Jr. diecast cars!  Click here for more information!

This blog has been, is now, and always will be about the complete spectrum of NASCAR and other racing series.  The notion that it would ever be anything but an independent voice standing proudly for the spirit of rugged individualism is, quite frankly, offensive.

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Every -- every -- press release and/or interview transcript and/or news article located anywhere on this blog is placed there strictly for the benefit of you.  It is my intent to make this a site a full service location for auto racing fans.  Being able to provide information straight from the source is a privilege I do not take lightly, and it is done for no other purpose than for the benefit of race fans everywhere.

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As an example of this, the other day I received notification about the introduction of the Dale Jr. line of clothing by Adidas.  Now, normally I would simply dismiss such communications out of hand as irrelevant to the purpose and theme of this blog.  However, when viewed in the context of how NASCAR fits into the overall world of sports, such information takes on an aspect entirely removed from mere commercialism.

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A major international sports apparel manufacturer such as Adidas selecting Dale Earnhardt Jr. as the fulcrum point for a line of consumer clothing is a far cry from the souvenir t-shirts and other clothing sold trackside.  Adidas' vision is global.  Its recognition of Earnhardt, and by proxy NASCAR, as worthy of such promotion signifies the growing acceptance of NASCAR as a legitimate member of not only motor sports, but sports in general.

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Given how far more often than not in this country NASCAR is relegated to the back of the bus if not subjected to outright scorn and contempt by major portions of both traditional and contemporary sports media, it's difficult to say whether Adidas' sponsorship and merchandising of the Dale Jr. line is more ironic or an unintentional yet present slap in the face to the haters who permeate the sports world.  When one of your own is standing alongside the likes of David Beckham who while here is primarily known as Posh Spice's husband yet in the rest of the world is viewed with reverent awe for his skill in what everywhere but here is called football, while at the same time Tom Brady is completely unknown outside the United States except possibly as Giselle Bundchen's boyfriend... well, that says most everything there is to say about who's the genuine star.

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It takes no stretch whatsoever to list this as genuine news.  I'm not getting any financial or material reward out of it; I wasn't offered so much as a free t-shirt for passing along such information, and I'd immediately reject such an arrangement out of hand if I felt what I had been requested to inform people about was of no legitimate value.  Rather, this is a bit of bragging about how an international company has acknowledged the growing appeal of NASCAR by highlighting its best known driver.

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The NASCAR Nation proudly wears its affection for and affiliation with its drivers as a sign of the special bond between athlete and fan no other sport can claim.  From the days when after a race Richard Petty would sit on the infield wall and sign autographs until there was no one left until now, even with the huge number of people at every race most every driver is accessible for an autograph, a handshake, a picture.  This is the NASCAR way, and it's something to celebrate.

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That all said, indulge me for a moment while I get back to the first item touched on in this post.  My goals are to entertain, inform, and create an online community celebrating our mutual love of NASCAR.  And have fun, hoping you'll share in it.

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And at least every once in a while, recognize certain facts about NASCAR...

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... like how a lot of fans like looking at Dale Earnhardt Jr.