NASCAR, The True Religion

I read about a preacher who lost his son to another congregation because that preacher was a NASCAR fan and the father wasn't. I don't care what anybody says, if you hate the NASCAR presence, you will not last long in Charlotte or in the Carolinas. Many will try to avoid the subject or keep themselves out of southern folklore distance. The ones who can, are the naives ones from out of town or non-English folks. Once you have taken a point of view of a southerner( whether its about race, religion or politics), you better embrace the sport. Parks Helms as Chairman of the Mecklenburg County Commissioner was despised by many conservatives in Charlotte because he always raised taxes and isn't shamed to admit because in his words, "if you don't like it then leave." But nobody left when the public money went to the museum during the recession. (By the way, he is still a deacon at Park Road Baptist church).

Speedy Thompson (2nd left) winning the 1960 National 400. 

In this part of the area to be competitive, you either take the Vanderbilt view or the Redneck view if you are honest about it. If you aren't competitive, you go on the "you love everyone" tick or the drug tip. Very few, will be all embracing in everything. Here to get a balance on the environment and themselves, most will be on the avoider trip or take the southern-gentlemen kick in hard and fair play. Football is the main sport for these southern gents and arts& lit for the avoiders that includes academia.

As for me, it was Sunday. Something real spiritual happens to me when I'm here. Even though I'm not religious. In Atlanta, I love to work on Sunday's but not when I lived in Charlotte. I asked the hotel attendant if there were churches or temples nearby and she gave me a list as well as a mapquest for those placess(thank you). I saw one Hindu Temple which was off Independence Boulevard, too far from Woodlawn to drive. There were a lot of church listings but decided against driving to them. Instead, I decided to walk to a nearby mono-rail which I noticed when driving from the Carrie Undewood concert.

I figured, I would notice a church from the train and get off. I saw this chuch right next to the station in a office warehouse but it was closed until 11 a.m. and it was 9:30 a.m. When I got on the train, I notced how easy it was. A small car but you can get on street level like a trolley. Inside, they had an area for wheelchair bound folks with a hook that can latch on their chair for safety. Security seemed lax because there was none at the Woodlawn stop but I paid money on the coin dispenser. Good thing coz on the next stop, a couple of Charlotte Mecklenburg police showed up asking for tickets.

On the way, I saw a lot of warehouses, trendy apartments with trees and benches, restaurants, and offices but no church. I did see the Time Warner Arena right next to the rail. Wasted money for that adventure from the night before. Asked the cops where the museum was and they told me. I walked about a couple of blocks and found the building on East Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard.

The exterior had an oval, metallic exterior that resembles the remodeled version of Soldier Field in Chicago. Very majestic with a billboard TV showing old races as well as the Wild Wing Cafe restaurant. I got to the ticket booth, prices were relatively cheap. 12 bucks for kids, 17 bucks for seniors and military, and 19 for adults. I chose the Hall of Fame one for 24 plus the 19 just because it was new. Little did I know what the decision would do for me.