By Robin Smith Meiser

Last night, I had a really good time with my "family". No, I don't mean my blood family, although we always have fun together too. I mean my extended race "family" which has recently gotten even bigger than it used to be.

A group of us from the Charlotte County Speedway "family" made a trek to Bradenton to visit the members of the KARNAC "family" for their Real Racin' Talk Radio Show at the Fumble In. Some of my "family" drove over a hundred miles on a week night to get there, quite a feat for us working class people!

What a great time it was for us all. First, we listened to Rick, Hans and Craig try to give some of the news around the state while Jack looked on. We all said a little prayer for Rusty Dixon's wife and the entire Dixon family, all members of our "family". A few pokes of fun were made at several of other racetrack families but it was done in the same way that you kid around with a brother or sister, it was not mean spirited in the least. I am sure next week a few pokes will be made at Charlotte family after the interesting evening we all had.

First, long time pals and limited late model drivers, Randy "Hondo" Fox and Richie (that's the Richie without a "t" in his name) Anderson got to speak their piece about the great race they had in the first limited late model six pack race of the year that was held at CCS last Saturday night. We all commiserated about Richie's bad luck of blowing his motor after completely dominating the first 75 laps of the 100-lap race (except for maybe Hondo, who moved up to second when Richie's engine spewed). Low and behold, about that time Jeff Dufresne walked in, the winner of last week's race to make the evening even more interesting.

As Randy, Richie and Jeff bantered about in conversation, they told their personal race history and answered the usual questions as to why they love racing, safety issues, etc. Jeff and Randy talked about the last four laps of one of the most exciting races I have ever seen at my home track when they were duking it out for the win. Of course Rick, Hans and Craig were interjecting their ten cents worth too and it made for a very relaxed atmosphere. I received more than one compliment on the camaraderie between the Charlotte drivers that seems to be lacking at some of the other racetracks across the state.

Then it was my turn at the mike with my KARNAC "brothers". They got me going about old Charlotte race stories and how drivers got their nicknames. I talked about the exotic places I have been so far this year like USA International Speedway, Daytona, Florida Sports Park and the Gatornationals and the places I hope to go yet this season like DeSoto and East Bay. I discussed missing my "family" at Charlotte and my old co-workers like Larry Eungard Linda Jericka, Krista and Oscar Holmes, Jon Hall, Michelle Jackson, Pops Sweet, Greg Roeback, Joey Prendota, and people I know I have forgotten. I do wish they would have been there with us last night; they would have had a great time.

Then it was the two current open wheel modified points leaders Chris "Big Fish" Turner and Wayne "Rocket Man" Jefferson's turn at the mike.
They discussed their newfound friendship and respect for each other's driving ability. Rick kidded Rocket Man about the time he sold his truck for a race engine just before a race and asked Chris about his friendship with John Burton, father of Ward and Jeff Burton. Chris talked about his dual open wheel championships at Charlotte in 1999 and Wayne talked about his first championship in the 2000 open wheel modified six-pack series at CCS.

Then came a special part of the evening, an introduction to our new baby "sister", Christy Boyette of Punta Gorda. She is 16 years old, rookie driving in the Outlaw Modified series this year after becoming a seasoned veteran in go kart racing. She had the best laugh of the night as she referred to the Outlaws as "go karts on steroids". Her proud parents looked on as their very articulate daughter won all of our hearts with her exuberance and honesty that mostly the very young seem to possess.

My favorite part of the evening though was when us girls got to take over the microphones. Scarlett Fox and Paula Jefferson, experienced race wives, sat next to Chris Turner's wonderful lady, Patty and Jeff Dufresne's "keeper" girlfriend (at least that's what I told my "little brother"), Terry.

I sat across from them and we just chatted about live as racing women (I too was once a racing wife). We talked about the good times and the not so good times. That scary feeling we all get when our guy is out there on the track risking his life and the fact that the four wheeled "witch" will always be Number One in their lives.

All too soon, our two hours ended. I can't tell you how proud I was of my Charlotte "family". All of "my drivers" and "my girls" were so well spoken and articulate, no stuttering or stammering. They sounded so smart and one underlying theme was present in all of them, their love for that 3/8 banked oval called Charlotte County Speedway. You see, know matter how petty our "family" gets in tech and on the message board of KARNAC, there is no place like "home". That is where my "family" is and I am so proud to say that!

Now I am throwing down the gauntlet. I challenge each and every racetrack in Florida to try to out do my Charlotte family. I bet you can't do it but lets try anyway! Let's see how much camaraderie we can find at each track. Let's spotlight the good stuff, the things that make us all one big "family". I bet if each track contacts Rick or Jack they would be happy to have your "family" join them for a Wednesday night chat on their radio show. In the end I think we will see how truly big and wonderful our whole "family" is.

Listen to the show..

-Robin Meiser

[ED. NOTE: The KARNAC.com Racin' Talk Radio show is heard live on the Internet every Wednesday from 7-9 PM from the Fumble In studio in Bradenton, Florida. Past shows and Interviews are always available in the RADIO section of karnac.com]

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