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May 17, 1999 By: Patti Brill
Rednecks, White Trash, and Racers
If I hear one more non-racer call me or my racing friends "white trailor trash rednecks", I swear, my head will explode! Let's analyze this phrase for a moment, shall we? Let's take white.....yes, I'm white, matter of fact, I was born that way! Trailor, let's see.....a mobile home, a coach, a portable aluminum house. I work for a plumber that specializes in mobile home setting and repairs and let me say one thing, some of these places are bigger and cost more than my "yuppie" 3 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath suburban home in a "nice" neighborhood. Another thing, I have noticed that a large majority of the mobile home owners in Florida are retired northerners who live in retirement communities, I wouldn't call these people "trashy", would you?
On the subject of trash, let's see, do I qualify as trash? Until recently we have at all times had at least one vehicle in our garage or yard that does not run or is on blocks. We call that car our "future Street Stock", it even has the number 56 spray painted on it (watch out Makula!) God forbid someone ask us to move it! They just don't get it, our dreams are in that car! Ugly, are you kidding? It's beautiful! It's lime green and gutted with old tires and a motor that hasn't run in months, but it's our baby. So if this qualifies us as "trashy" people, than so be it! At least our lawn is mowed!
Redneck....hm, where do I start? I've never considered this a put-down, heck, I've called myself that since I was a teenager! Is it because I'd rather drive an old Chevy pickup than be caught dead in a new BMW? Is it because I have a confederate flag sticker on my Chevy Pick Up? Or is it because I'd much rather grab a bite at the McDonald's drive through on my way to the track then spend a night eating dinner in some fancy restaurant and attending a Diana Ross concert? Ok, I admit it, I WATCH WCW WRESTING!!! I really do and I really like it! What do you mean it's not real? Sure it is, if not, what the heck, I'll take any chance given to watch big muscle men roll around in a ring! By the way, have you seen "Big Sexy" Kevin Nash in those leather pants? Now that should be against the law!
Alright, maybe their right, maybe I am white trash, but I can live with that. I work two jobs, have three children and if it means that my only form of sanity is to come out to the track and hang out with my fellow "rednecks", than so be it! I've met some of the nicest people anywhere right here at Sunshine. I've had to call drivers that I was intimidated by, they don't know me from Adam, I can't do this! I have found those same drivers, within 10 minutes, have had me in stitches and are now friends. Some of the stories they tell, too funny! They talk about their jobs, kids, wives or husbands but mostly, their racecars. It doesn't matter how beat up, rusted or how many coats of gold, red and black paint are on them, those things are like gold! In a house fire, you can rest assured that car will come screeching out of that garage way before his wife's grandmother's fine china!
Speaking of garages, my husband has set ours on fire no less than three times, count 'em. three times! One evening while washing the dishes I heard and explosion and entered the garage to find my husband plastered against the door! His hair, standing on end and his eye brows burnt off! All he could say was WOW, did you see that! He's always dreamed of a house with a detached garage, I think this is his way of getting one! Another time I came home to find the garage door open and what appeared to be soot all over the engine of our racecar. I entered the house, expecting him to be on the phone with 911 but he was going along, business as usual. Should I ask? Sure, why not? Honey, what happened to the racecar? His answer? What do you mean? The racecar, honey, the motor's burnt! Aw, that was nothing just a little fire. Turns out the entire engine caught fire and continued to burn as he ran around the yard looking for something to put it out before "mom" got home! Men, ya gotta love 'em!
In closing, let me add, if being a race fans makes me "less" of a person than the guy with the three piece suit who will stand in 95 degree heat for and hour waiting for AAA to come change his tire, than so be it! Who needs AAA when you have a racecar driver as a husband? Give me a cell phone and a little whining and he'll be there in minutes! So, my fellow white trash, stand proud, keep your head up and the next time someone makes fun of your life style, tell them, heck yeah, I drive a racecar and proud of it and by the way, your husband called, he'll be home late from the gym, he's waiting on the tow truck! -Patti Brill
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