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Woke or wise? NASCAR's net-zero 'commitments' scrutinized | HEY, WILLIE!

Ken Willis, The Daytona Beach News-Journal
·2 min read
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HEY, WILLIE!

If NASCAR wants to have an “impact” and commit to recycled fuel, and also commit to “net zero” track emissions, go for it.

Just make the racing better and me and my friends don’t care how you cook the hot dogs. How about committing to that?

But will NASCAR, the drivers and team owners give up their motor coaches and jets? Will all the third-party interests be forced to comply? What about all the weekly NASCAR-sanctioned tracks around the country?

FRED

WOKE OR WISE? Is NASCAR adapting to modern times, playing politics, or going woke? | KEN WILLIS

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HEY, FRED!

Not to pick on NASCAR. They have bills to pay, mouths to feed, a modern landscape to navigate, and for all we know, might actually be committed to certain issues and goals for all the right reasons.

But you’ll notice, in many (or most) public announcements like these, you see some time-tested words, which you included above: Commit and net, as in committed to net-zero.

Roughly a decade ago, the White House went big-splash with a proclamation that our cars and light-duty trucks will average 54.5 miles per gallon …

... By model year 2025! Those cars hit the lots in just over a year, so, as Jerry Reed said, "a long way to go and a short time to get there."

Often, the important thing is the initial splash. The splashers get the attaboys but long after the party balloons have deflated, our attention moves on to the next big splash, and no one remembers the stated goals — much less gets around to checking on the progress.

Not sure how many trees they’ll have to plant to make up for Rick Hendrick’s jet and motor coach in order to reach net-zero, but you can bet someone is committed to finding out.

HEY, WILLIE!

I liked your article Sunday on NASCAR. You hit the nail on its head.

JERRY

HEY, JERRY!

Trust me, Jerry, you don’t want to see me with a hammer.

Coming to a Pit Road near you? Doubtful.
Coming to a Pit Road near you? Doubtful.

HEY, WILLIE!

Enjoyed your recent article concerning NASCAR adapting to the times, playing politics, or going “woke.” I just wish you would have given your definition of “woke.”

Talk about playing politics, that's all that word really comes down to for politicians and people on the right. Just another ridiculous culture war to keep the base engaged.

Granted, the right's base and NASCAR's base are virtually the same. I think you should have given your definition of the overly used word.

AVERAGE READER

HEY, READER!

One man’s woke is another man’s common sense. And vice versa.

The view is ugly enough from out here on the fringes. Can’t imagine how bad it’d be to affix the bayonet and wade into the middle of it.

As for woke, I’ll borrow from long-ago Justice Potter Stewart: I know it when I see it.

HEY, WILLIE!

I admire the way that you are able to weave in some of the country music greats (Tom T. Hall, Vern Gosdin, Merle Haggard, etc.) with your amusing sports commentary, along with some of their well known lyrics.

Can’t wait to see if you can include Hank, Lefty, and Conway. Thanks for the smiles.

COUNTRY BOB

HEY, BOB!

Country Bob? From Bob’s Country Bunker in Rockford? (For you "Blues Brothers" fans.)

There’ll be no quoting the great Conway Twitty around here. Way too saucy for our audience, and it’s hard to type with the lights dimmed.

HEY, WILLIE!

I really enjoy your style of writing and am an avid reader of all of your articles, although I am not a NACAR follower.

I must call your attention, however, to your use of “duel”  instead of “dual” in your response to the sand flea question in yesterday's newspaper (April 19).

I don't know if you have a proofreader or not, but as a former English teacher, I had to mention this to you.

DOROTHY

HEY, DOROTHY!

Dammit all! That’s one I actually know, and have used properly for many years.

This will bring great joy to all those who have been subjected to my Grammar Cop routine in recent years — particularly those in my circle, and a few outside of it, who have been gently corrected on the proper use of fewer versus less. You know who you are.

Meanwhile, Dorothy, congrats, you’re now officially deputized as my new proofreader.

And I’m hereby committed to net-zero grammatical errors by the year 2025.

— Reach Ken Willis at ken.willis@news-jrnl.com

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: NASCAR woke or wise in 'commitment' to net-zero? | HEY WILLIE!