Scooter Chronicles

I mentioned in an earlier post that I got a very funny Christmas present from David and Catherine. Over the last few years, I started poking fun at the “stereotypical” NASCAR fan that would hang out at the farmer’s market / flea market in Quakertown (it’s called Q-Mart). I came up with a character of sorts that we dubbed Floyd the NASCAR Guy. Floyd is a huge fan of the late Dale Earnhardt and is usually caught saying “God bless the Intimidator” from time to time. David and Catherine came across an “Intimidator” ball cap and thought it was an appropriate gift for Floyd.

I wouldn’t call Floyd my alter-ego. I am not a NASCAR fan myself, and honestly have stopped following racing of any kind for the most part (I used to follow Formula One and World Class Rally as much as I could in the past). But most of this came from seeing so many people around the Quakertown area wearing NASCAR gear, especially that of Dale Earnhardt. And Floyd’s favorite comment came from bumper stickers depicting Earnhardt’s number 3 logo with angels’ wings and a halo.

A little more about Floyd, since the Intimidator’s death, he has become a big fan of “Junior” (Dale Earnhardt, Jr.). Floyd goes to the Q-Mart to pick up his cigarettes and beer the day before the races, and can be seen perusing the various shops that sell NASCAR memorabilia. Floyd has a real cheap taste in beer, but usually springs for Bud Light (”The good stuff!”) when the week’s race will be at one of the so-called Super Speedways (like Talladega or Daytona). Floyd also has a girlfriend, who he refers to as “my little Suzie.” She is a NASCAR fan too, but disheartening to Floyd, her favorite driver is “Pretty Boy” (Jeff) Gordon.

Though it may not be good to poke fun at stereotypes, it helps keep me sane, while watching NASCAR eclipse my loved game of hockey in popularity, as well as our “National Pastime”, baseball. And in no way do I mean any disrespect to Dale Earnhardt. I know that he has left an everlasting mark on the sport.