Last year at the 50th Anniversary Daytona 500, Nascar invited/requested all former winners to attend. However, they expected all of them to get to DBFLA on their own nickel. I know of three that refused - David Pearson, Cale Yarborough, and Ward Burton. For whatever reason, Nascar agreed to transport Ward and Cale. As I understand it, Pearson showed up, not sure if Nascar picked up his tab or not.
So, as part of the festivities surrounding the 50th celebration, some of the former winners were taking part in an autograph session. David Pearson was not one of them, aparently, because he happened upon the line of folks waiting to get in the session, and asked what the line was for. When told that the line was to pay to get in the autograph session for former winners, Pearson responded, something to the effect of, not all past winners are in there, my autograph is free - and proceeded to get in his car and drive back to Spartanburg. Thumbing his nose at the France family on the way out.
Way to go DP. And Nascar thinks it is the economy that is hurting them....
marty
One of the local news stations down here did a story on the lack of people showing up for "Daytona Fan Fest" or whatever it's called. NASCAR was quick to blame the economy for the small turn out, but they again are their own worst enemy.
Jan. testing at Daytona is as historical as the 500 itsself. You used to able to enter the grandstands, watch the cars practice, and listen to the teams work with your scanner. AND IT WAS FREE!!!!!
Now it's a big media circus with autograph sessions and meet & greets and they charge ya like $15.00 to get in.
And beat it all, this year they aint allowed to test.
