You know, this is just getting comical. I find it really cute how if Shirley goes off on somebody for welshing on an agreement, according to this place, she's commited the ultimate sin. At the same time, anybody here can and have gone ballistic when a sponsor leaves Drag Racing.
Very recently, I read quite a bit of comments from people c*ck-suckering Budweiser for bailing. Or how about when everyone was so madly in love with Evan Knoll when he was sponsoring every car out there - only to do an about face when he left the sport so suddenly. I read some awfully nasty things posted here about Mr. Knoll. I can go down the list: Brut, UPS, Miller Brewing, Advance Auto Parts, U.S. Tobacco, and on and on. There have been plenty of comments made here dumping all over these companies after they left the sport or wronged your favorite driver or owner. Apparently there must be some kind of double standard when it comes to airing things in the Drag Racing world. If Shirley Muldowney gets screwed by a sponsor, it sounds like she has no right to say anything against that entitiy. However, if a sponsor goes away from a team (that probably nobody here has anything to do with) it appears that anybody here has the right to climb to the top of the highest mountain in cyperspace, and piss and moan about them until they're blue in the face. I just don't understand the difference.
The National Guard, Budweiser, or U.S.T. are basically an employer to a Racing Team. Indirectly, the sponsor pays the bills (i.e. payroll, expenses, etc.) just like a company boss or owner would do. A sponsor is pretty much the same person you call "boss" at your place of employment. Occasionally, people get fired by their boss and sometimes for no good reason. The disgruntled former employee usaully then goes off in a tizzy about what an as*hole the boss is, or "I hate that company", or "they really screwed me", and so on. They announce this to anyone who will listen and in general, most onlookers are sympathetic to the one voicing their opinion. I'd guess the reason is because most people have been in that situation or know someone who has. They can relate to the frustration and can be supportive of this person. Maybe it's hard for the fans here to understand why Shirley said what she did simply because you have never been in her position. One can only wonder how some here might handle news like she received.
It looked like this topic was started simply because Shirley outed some back-handed actions by a company that wronged her - and she responded. It looks like this topic has turned into yet another Shirley bash-fest and I just can't figure out why. Why do some people dislike her so much? I just can't believe it has only to do with some alleged unpleasent autograph encounter. Is only signing one item totally unrealistic when her autograph line is usually two miles long? I went to a Richard Petty signing at an auto parts store around 15 years ago. The line went on FOREVER!!!. They had signs up all over the place stating "Due to the large crowd, Mr. Petty will only be able to sign one item per person". Nobody had a problem with that, they were just happy to see Richard Petty, get an autograph, take a picture, or get a handshake. All I saw were smiles on the fans faces. If you want something signed by Shirley and you can't get it done at the Drag Strip, send it to her. I'm sure she would be more than happy to take care of it (just make sure you send a SASE). Now that a solution to the autograph issue has been given, what's up with the rest of you? What is the real reason behind all the ill will expressed here towards Shirley? Could it have anything to do with something somebody else said about her? Something said by somebody from, I don't know, maybe kalitta's? If you only knew what went on there, you'd sh*t. The movie didn't and couldn't come close. Or maybe the Shirley haters are in love with tobler? The great tuner, the king of dropped cylinders, the man who cheated on his wife, the crew chief who could have prevented Shirley's horrible accident - if he would have just paid a little more attention to detail? Or could it be these Shirley haters are just a bunch of women haters in general who just can't live with the fact that a woman kicked ass in Drag Racing? Maybe some feel that she is a threat to their man-hood. Or maybe these guys just can't deal with the fact that Shirley is a hundred times tougher than they are.
Finally, we are still obsessed with the fact that Angelle Sampey is an emotional lady. There has been an ongoing complaint here that Angelle cries too much. Are you kidding me? Is this the best you can do when you talk about Angelle. Years ago, my Mom would cry a lot about things the preacher said in church. She asked him why he thought she cried so much. The things he was saying were not sad, they were good things and nice stories. The preacher told my Mom that people who cry when good or bad happens shows they have a good heart - they are a good person. I'd say the same applies to Angelle. I've never spent any great deal of time with her but I'm pretty good at reading people. Angelle is a good person with a good heart. She has gone through a lot of crap in her life that many don't know about. Have any of you clowns ever had your spouse put a loaded gun to your head? If Angelle cries and it upsets you, things must a little messed up in your world. Everybody shows emotion in their own way - deal with it.
Grow up kiddies,
Dave
P.S. After I read about this idea of a reality show for Angelle and Shirley - you gave me an idea. I've been working on trying to put a deal together for Shirley's team and this reality show gave me a good thought. To go Top Fuel Drag Racing, you need some big dollars behind you - I think I'll give Donald Trump a call. He's got some good connections to folks with deep pockets. Thanks again for the idea!!!
