Watching relative race in NASCAR is threat to health

Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Apr 22, 2007 by CONNIE STEELE THE GAZETTE

So this 89-year-old woman goes to the doctor and asks for a refill on her blood pressure pills. She explains that she doesn't need them very often but thinks she'd better have some on hand. The doctor gently asks her what in her life makes her blood pressure go up.

The woman replies: "NASCAR!"

The woman is my mom, and the reason she follows NASCAR is that one of her sister's grandchildren is two-time Nextel Cup racing champion driver Tony Stewart.

I dedicate three hours most Sundays from February through November to watch the races, in part to stay connected to my parents and other relatives. I'm out here while they are watching live from the track or from their homes in the Midwest. Not quite a "Somewhere Out There" moment, but a connection, nonetheless.

All my cousins have lovely, talented children. It's just that Pam's boy's likeness stares at me from Coke machines. He's the only relative I can watch on TV or read about in USA Today and Sports Illustrated. He does commercials for Home Depot and Subway. (Note: Tony is not a midget. I'm 5-feet-8-inches tall, and he's taller than I am. Remember that when you see that Subway spot with him sparring with Jared.)

While we're at it, let's get another thing straight. Fans -- at least those related to the drivers -- don't watch races to see crashes.

No one would choose to witness, on national TV or otherwise, someone she knows flipping end over end in a car. Our main concern is his physical well-being.

But there's also that competition thing going on.

We know that the drivers are racing for points that decide whether they win the championship.

And whether the wreck was caused by my cousin or my sworn enemy (whoever Tony doesn't like that day), if the car is damaged it won't do well. If that happens in a few races, the championship will be out of reach.

And so, the members of my family watch NASCAR with our blood pressure rising faster than the rpms on Tony's Home Depot car. The Kobalt Tools 500 on March 18 in Atlanta was a good example...

We're in the last laps at "Hotlanta." I've been pacing and mumbling to myself for several minutes because Tony is leading. I am now shouting at the TV.

"Come on Tony! Keep cool! Jimmie Johnson is right... on... your... tail! (Expletive deleted!) Jimmie ran him into the wall!"

I wonder if he's going to be cool about coming in second and just moving up in the standings.

I wonder if he'll be able to avoid his favorite word -- "stupid" - - when they interview him.

And I'm hoping that Mom remembered to take her pill.

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