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"The Winners Circle"
Twenty four cars have started their engines. With anticipation in the air, people rise to their feet, thinking, this is what we have been waiting for. The cars line-up four wide as the drivers salute the fans who came to watch them compete. The yellow light goes out,
the green flag drops, and for me the gloves come off. I no longer think, may the best man win, instead I find myself absorbed with what I call will call, "the narrow winner’s circle mentality." I want "my driver" to finish first. I want to see him or her in that front spot on the last lap, watching as the checkered flag waves them across the finish line. It is their picture in victory lane that I want to add my collection, and the list goes on and on.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think there is anything wrong with wanting to see your favorite driver finish first. I don’t even think it is wrong for a driver to strive for that checkered flag. However for me, my competitive nature tends to focus solely on that last lap, and sometimes I need to be reminded of the broader view of a winner’s circle.
My husband and I were invited to the AMP Late Model show at Monticello Speedway, Monticello AR. Like all the other AMP events we have been invited to attend, we again received outstanding hospitality by staff and drivers alike, and enjoyed some exciting action packed racing. What left the biggest "winners circle" image for me last Saturday night, wasn’t just a deserving driver taking the win, but a demonstration of comradeship that we have witnessed more than once from this series in various ways.
Ms Christy Hudson, AMP Series Promoter should have been home recuperating from an unexpected hospital stay, yet somewhat obeying her doctor’s instructions she choose to take her usual spot on the front stretch wishing each of the drivers luck during their driver introductions. Once the introductions were finished and to her surprise, she was presented with a dozen roses from the drivers before the feature race got underway.
Do you remember the old saying "Your actions speak louder than words". Well the actions of these drivers spoke of their compassion, character, and honor. So whether they had mechanical woes, spun out, hit the wall, finished dead last, or had a great night, each of these drivers visited the "Winner’s Circle" before they even made the first lap.
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