The calendar has rolled… The IMSA Rolex 24 has rolled… The Busch Clash has rolled… Now there is a pause for football and everyone goes nuts. Even during the other event dates, the football story lines were weaving their way in. It’s as if racing was on the sidelines even when it was the main line.

Now, as Daytona is in the back field and the Super Bowl is on tap, once again it is time to ponder the popularity of the game of football. Take a moment to consider how many people actually play the game. Sandlots to high school it is a percentage who actually get on the field. From that group, only a fraction go on to the college level. Of that bunch, only a percentage go on to the NFL or other variations of the “pro” level.

Fun fact, by the way… The first Super Bowl was played in 1967. (Kansas City was in it, just for further detail. The Packers beat them…) The first Daytona 500…? 1959! Lee Petty won it…

Super Bowl 1 (1967) – Winner: Green Bay Packers [] The First Daytona 500 (1959) – Winner: Lee Petty

Dates and history aside, consider when, or if ever, you last touched a football. Maybe think of what football has actually done to improve anything for anyone that doesn’t actually play.? Helmets and pads and shoes and uniforms are lighter and safer but that is for the players. Few if any of these advantages spill over to the “civilian” world of common use.

On that, consider racing and your car. People drive or ride in a car almost every day. The car in the driveway has been heavily influenced and improved because of racing. Fuel economy, power, brakes, safety, aerodynamics, construction materials, tires… The list is extensive. Racing has made the “daily driver” a better machine.

So… Why…? Why does football eclipse motorsport in candid conversation?

Enjoy your game… Just remember… Your car will be there to get you to work the next day. What will the football do…?

Mid-October and racing is going into the final laps. Indy was done a while ago. Grand-Am is done. American Le Mans closes this weekend. NASCAR has a hadfull of races left. Formula 1 also has a few left, including the return to America. NHRA still has a couple left…

Ryan Hunter-Reay won the IndyCar title. Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas won the Daytona Prototypes with Chip Ganassi Racing in Grand-Am. The GT title was driven away with Jeff Segal and Emil Assentato for AIM Autosport. The classes of American Le Mans have been mathematically clinched heading into an all out race to win for the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta.

NASCAR is at Kansas this weekend, then on to Martinsville, Texas, Phoenix and Homestead. Brad Keselowski is currently edging the points. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is still nursing a concussion and should be back by Martinsville. (more…)