Musically Declined: Introduction

Stock Car Racing and Country Music—two pillars of culture in the Southern United States.  And the two have mingled throughout the years.  But instead of looking at successful singers-turned-drivers like Marty Robbins, we’re taking a look at drivers-turned-um, “singers”.

Throughout the year, we’ll be looking at a different song every-other-Monday performed by a Nascar driver.  Now, fair warning—I am *NOT* a country music fan.  And most of these songs I’ve never heard before.  So you’ll be getting my first-hand reactions—by a neophyte, on a neophyte.

We’ll start with “NASCAR Goes Country”, an album put out in 1975 by a Nashville record producer, featuring six of the sport’s legends.  And from there we’ll take a trip into the less-distant past, with looks at albums put out in the 80’s and 90’s.

So put on your racing shoes, make sure they match your cowboy hat, and settle in for a year’s worth of some of the most-gimmicky crossovers to come out of the sport!

Spade Racing Opens Classic “Blaster Boxes” and Premiere Sets

Recently I acquired a collection of Nascar cards from the past thirty years.  Most of it was unopened “Blaster Boxes” (those things you see near checkout at big box stores) as well as a few early-90’s “Premiere Sets”.  Lets open them and see what’s inside!

Tracks 2007 Box 3 Part 2—Late period Sterling, playing out the string, and a CART thing

FIRST LOOK: It kinda stunk that Sterling Marlin didn’t get to end his career racing for a winner.  On the plus side, its better than Rusty Wallace retiring a contender and then whining about it for years on end.

TO THE BACK: Speaking of drivers at the ends of their careers, I still have no idea why Ricky Rudd came back after a year off to race for a declining Robert Yates Racing.  Maybe he really, really, REALLY liked Snickers?

SAY WHAT: “For the last time I’m NOT Paul Tracy!”

RATING: 1 side skirt out of 10

Spade Racing Opens Classic “Blaster Boxes” and Premiere Sets

Recently I acquired a collection of Nascar cards from the past thirty years.  Most of it was unopened “Blaster Boxes” (those things you see near checkout at big box stores) as well as a few early-90’s “Premiere Sets”.  Lets open them and see what’s inside!

Tracks 2007 Box 3 Part 1—Double A, the other way, and Labon-tay

FIRST LOOK: Pictures taken moments before disaster. (Helicopter hovers over track)

TO THE BACK: I always thought that the Bass Pro Shops 1 car was the best example of Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s preference for car numbers that “leaned forward” instead of being italicized back.  Either way its better than the current Ganassi “standing 1” which looks like it had either five months or five seconds of planning.

SAY WHAT: “Its LabonTEE, not LabonTAY—no wonder you guys haven’t won anything in a decade.”

RATING: 3 scuffs out of 10