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Friday was here! The big day! For although I was looking forward to the races, my heart tripped over itself like a newborn baby bird at the thought of speaking to my hero in person. It was so exciting words are difficult to find to explain the feeling.
We arrived at the track early at my insistence, and then of course had to wait, me bopping up and down the whole time and barely stopping to take a breath chattering nervously. Lisa made her call and Oh NO! At first it looked as if they had changed the time on us, but Lisa worked her magic and the NASCAR Foundation gal came to pick up the Smoke Fan Club to get our credentials to meet Smoke! The NASCAR Foundation gal (hope she forgives me for forgetting her name...I forgot mine for a time there). We bumped along in our golfcart (right across the track...talk about cool!)..and she pointed out drivers and their coaches along the way. We saw Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, and Richard Childress with a bottle of his wine in his hand. He smiled at me as I said Hey. When we got to a beautiful black motorcoach and she said it was our destination my breath was literally taken away! I was totally ignorant of the fact that Tony had just gotten back from a media frenzy regarding his fine and probation (had no idea about that either)...but when he walked up in a red shirt and jeans..I was thrilled. The NASCAR gal went and said something to his he and his pals and then he went into his motorcoach. Shortly afterwards he walked out in his firesuit! Handsome and charming he strolled over to the golfcart where everyone was standing (I was leaning, my legs were wobbly!)...and asked "Which of you ladies is Cindi?" My mouth dropped open and I stood up, weak and wobbly, and said, "I'm Cindi." He came over and gave me a hug! So this man, who had just had to deal with a bunch of crap from people who couldn't care less about him sat down and talked to me like an old friend. Lisa DID ask him about the potty thing (oh GAWD!)...lol. He signed hats for us and some photos...I had one that I had recieved from joining Smoke VIP...he signed that one to Cindi. He was so much fun to talk to, I couldn't have asked for any more from anybody. I will be sending out thank you cards to all who have made my dream come true. As for Tony, in my eyes, the man can do no wrong because I met this person, looked in his eyes, and spoke to him about more than just racing. Tony and I connected in a way that I would have never dreamed of. Think he liked my mama too!
See Cindi's take on some of the pics: For more from Cindi about her time in Dega and with Smoke check out:
The letter from Lise that started it all. (Note the "REPORT THIS BLOG ASAP", all the reporting everyone did, at Lisa's request, assured that someone at Fox would have to take notice, pure genius! DEAR FOX SPORTS..PETER SHRAGER, ADAM SCHEIN AND LEE SPENCER...HELP! BLOGGERS REPORT THIS BLOG ASAP
Mar 22, 2007 | 1:15PM | report this
TO THE STAFF AT FOX SPORTS.COM-
We bloggers at Fox Sports.com have made quite a community here. We appreciate all of the space that you have given us as well as the forum to speak our minds. We are under the impression that you actually read these blogs. We may be wrong. Here is the litmus test to see if we are right.
One of our beloved bloggers, Southern Cindi, was diagnosed with cancer in January. It was in her lungs, but now has spread to her brain. She had no idea she was sick, so this was a cruel blow. She is unsteady on her feet due to the tumors affecting her coordination, yet she takes the time to write about her beloved NASCAR, as well as answer each and every comment posted on her blog. Her prognosis is not good. Here is where FOX SPORTS comes in.
We bloggers have made you lots of money. Every hit you get is a source of revenue income from your advertisers. Sure, you would still make a lot of money without the blog forum, but we have made FOX the go-to-place to blog about sports. And you make money. Off of us. Why don't you postpone the NGS contest and use the money you saved for a better cause? I am quite certain that every blogger agrees with me on this.
It's time you gave back to the blogging community. I am asking you, no wait, begging you, to send Southern Cindi to the TALADEGA NASCAR race as YOUR GUEST. This is so easy, even a caveman can do it. Since you have the broadcasting rights to NASCAR, securing a press pass/ pit pass, personal meet with her favorite driver, Tony "Smoke" Stewart and hotel/transportation costs could be done with less than 5 phone calls.
I have been in contact with the Daytona office of Nascar, and they gave me some great phone numbers to get more info on. One of them is Tony Stewart's public relations manager, the other is Nascar Foundation. Both of these offices, however, are not answering due to Bristol this weekend. I plan on groveling with them on Monday.
Peter, Adam, Lee...you all have a lot of pull with Fox Sports. Go to Cindi's blog and look at her picture. She is a southern belle that lives and breathes Nascar. How can you NOT do this wonderful kind gesture? Think about her as you get ready to write your next story. You are healthy, she is not. You can go to the race, she can not.
I want to hear from you all on THIS blog. if I don't receive comments, then we bloggers will know for sure that Fox doesn't read our blogs, and that the MIB/BOTD is just some computer algorithim figuring out what blogs should be posted. We all will be disappointed.
I would like to further add that you should allow Cindi the opportunity to write about the TALADEGA race she attended, and feature it on your front page. I bet she gets 500 comments...she is that much loved here in the blogosphere. And a heckuva writer. She invokes so much passion for Nascar that it just isn't fair she can't go to a race.
So there you have it FOX. We are awaiting your answer(s). I hope to hear from you. Cindi does too, although she has no idea what we are trying to do. DO THE RIGHT THING FOX SPORTS!
PLEASE CLICK ON THE "REPORT THIS" BUTTON TOWARDS THE TOP. THAT WILL AUTOMATICALLY MAKE THIS GO TO SOMEONE WHO HAS TO READ IT AT FOX! YOU CAN MAKE UP WHATEVER REASON YOU WANT...JUST REPORT THIS! THANKS FOLKS!
The photos in this slideshow are courtesy of 1steelerfan1 and lisa4usc:
The Musketeers
| All the links to lisa4usc's Cindi articles and the drive she started that ended at the perfect place- Talladega! Things I have Learned About The Greatness of Sports by lisa4usc Posted May 04, 2007 As I stood in the gift shop for kids at Atlanta's airport, the feeling of dread came over me. This was the farewell I was not prepared for, even though I had convinced myself I could handle it. Time to say farewell to my sister, Cindi Redding, aka Southern Cindi. She knew it was coming. She turned to me and looked at me with those big, soulful eyes, and said something that was so simple...."goodbye."
One word, and I lost it. Yeah, this was goodbye. Goodbye to a sister I never had, goodbye to a woman who beat me over the head with Nascar facts so I wouldn't look like an idiot in front of her country cousins. Goodbye to a woman who touched so many people, goodbye to a woman who exemplified class and grace under unfortunate circumstances. Goodbye, to my new best friend. I asked her to reserve me a spot in heaven, and left.
My flight back to Los Angeles gave me time to reflect. I learned so much from this trip. I learned that no matter how big your problems seem to be, someone else's are bigger.
I learned that "scattered, smothered, buttered and chopped" is a Southern expression for hashbrowns topped with melted cheese and chopped tomatos. Some damn good fixins'.
I learned that tailgating in the South means you actually barbeque on the tailgate of a truck.
I learned that sitting on your porch drinking sweet tea while watching race traffic go by is a simple pleasure that cannot be replicated anywhere else .
I learned that you don't have to know someone to become best friends for life.
I learned that in the South, courtesy, hospitalility and good manners are not learned-these are genetic traits.
I learned that Nascar isn't a sport, it's a religion.
I learned that if Junior doesn't win in Dega but a Californian boy does, duck when the winner does burn outs.
I learned that if you don't have a beer in your hand, someone will gladly fill your hand with a cold one within 5 seconds, especially if you are female.
I learned that eating your veggies is no big deal in the South as long as they are deep fried. I also learned that BBQ is not a verb, it's a noun.
I learned that TV can never replace the spectacle of watching stock car racing live from the stands. You have to be there to appreciate it.
I learned that the biggest names in Nascar have the biggest hearts,and Fox Sports has more heart than anyone on the face of this planet.
I learned that there is no greater joy in life than watching someone else have their greatest wish come true.
I learned that Talladega, Alabama is a place that will forever keep my heart and soul. Sweet Home Alabama should be our National Anthem.
I learned that this great nation of ours has so much to offer-you just have to keep your mind and soul open to experience it.
I learned that hillbillies, rednecks and lower-Alabamians are the most lovable people in the world. And they can party. I also learned that there is no such thing as too many beers.
I learned that the SEC is the greatest football conference in America, and if you don't believe it, you need a wuppin'.
I learned that this blogosphere has some very special people. Steelers is one of the most beautiful men I have ever met, and Cindi grabs your heart and never lets it go. Stephen has a heart that is unmatched by any, and Guniquat has an old soul that lives in my heart forever. Fuzzboss has magical attributes that can make people want to give their money to a noble cause, and VearlthePearl is a hero.
Finally, I learned that I still have a lot to learn. But experiencing a Nascar race in the deep South is a good start. The smell of the fuel and burning rubber is one of the greatest smells in the world. The sweet smell of the track will never be forgotten by me, Cindi or Tom. Someone should bottle it and sell it as cologne...it's an unforgettable smell that permeates your nostrils and makes you long for the good ol' days. The sound of 180,000 of my country cousins saying, "Amen" in unison was the most inspiring sound I have ever heard. One word and it made me cry-it's up there with baby's first words. I have a lot to learn and it's been the greatest adventure ever. Thank goodness Sport has some deep hooks to sink in to Califonian souls such as myself. Sport can always be a redeemer....so "git 'er done".
PS- Tom and I spotted DustyLaker and his lovely bride in Talladega...we have some pictures and accompanying story for you all to check out. Go to 1Steelers1 blog, or you can just go to my list of favorite blogs on the right of this and click on The Human Side of Sports.The link is towards the bottom of the list. Enjoy! :) UPDATE ON SOUTHERN CINDI.....READ HERE FOR THE LATEST AND THANKS EVERYONE!
Posted Mar 24, 2007 IS GILBERT ARENAS ANOTHER PETE ROSE?( I say yes) AN UPDATE ON CINDI
Mar 26, 2007
UPDATE ON SOUTHERN CINDI, OUR BELLE OF BLOGDOM :-)
Apr 06, 2007
Feel good story of the year.CINDI IS GOING TO DEGA! Do you feel "it"?
Apr 11, 2007
Thelma and Louise are leaving for Dega in 6 days!!!!!!!!!
Apr 20, 2007
HERE'S WHAT OUR PLANS ARE FOR TALLADEGA...FASTEN YOUR SEATBELTS
Apr 25, 2007
(As reported by Steeler, she should've fastened a hans device, too!) I AM BLOGGING NAKED FROM DEGA!!!!!!!
Apr 26, 2007
(Shouldn't this be reported ASAP? I know at least a few that linked hoping.)
BLOGGING NAKED FROM TALLADEGA & MEETING TONY
Apr 27, 2007
(Was he naked, too?) MY FIRST NASCAR RACE AND STILL BLOGGING NAKED
Apr 28, 2007
(Maybe that's what caused a few of those cautions?!?)
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A couple of shots from Cindi with Smoke and Mama Sue. See more of Cindi's pics and graphics on her blog. (You can also see more pics here, visit her slideshow/pic page, A True Southern Belle.)
All the links to lisa's accomplice, 1steelerfan1, and his blogs on the Dega trip! (And a few fom Naked Lise!): Lisa4USC Recieves Concussion at Talladega!!! True Sports Related Injury
DUSTY LAKER SPOTTED AT DEGA!!! A POST BY LISA4USC w/PICS
May 02, 2007
(would love to full feature this if I ever find Steeler)
FUNNY PHOTOS;- TALLADEGA STYLE!!!!!
Apr 30, 2007
BY POPULAR REQUEST: PHOTOS OF LISA AND STEELERS AT DEGA
Apr 29, 2007
LISA BLOGS NAKED FROM STEELERS COMPUTER..PIX FROM DEGA
Apr 29, 2007 | 1:26AM | report this
When an Angel Calls:- NASCAR and Human Kindness
Apr 24, 2007 | 9:58PM | report this
To see more from these incredible people visit there blogs:
Straight Talk From the Left Coast by lisa4usc
The Human Side of Sports by:1steelerfan1
The Tribute to The Musketeers from: Hatchetman's daily hit parade
by: Marty Walker (Adult Content)
Southern Cindi, Lisa and Steelers riding into the sunset in the South
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