tool name
closeSmith basks in role as racing Godfather
THATSRACIN.COM OPINION
TOM SORENSEN
The Charlotte Observer
Friday, Jan. 25, 2008
On Wednesday Dale Earnhardt Jr. referred to Brian France as NASCAR's president. Told that France's title is chairman, Earnhardt Jr. said, "Head dude."
About Bruton Smith's title there is no doubt.
Bruton is the Godfather.
You should have seen him Thursday in the garage at Lowe's Motor Speedway, one of the Family's tracks.
Bruton sits at the front of the room and speaker after speaker stands to bestow upon him praise almost as lavish as his sunglasses.
Talking about the speedway's new drag strip, one man thanks him for building something "so great."
Dom Bruton acknowledges the words with a smile and a wave. By the time he leaves, his right hand has to be numb.
Another thanks Bruton for his "good faith" and for the "Thanksgiving gift you gave us."
The drag strip deal between Bruton and Concord was reached Thanksgiving week.
A third calls the drag strip "the crown jewel" of drag racing.
Bruton does not call the track the crown jewel. He's a little more modest. He calls it the "Bellagio of drag racing." Bellagio is the luxurious Las Vegas hotel and casino known for its spectacular fountains.
The drag strip is scheduled to open Sept. 11 for the Carolinas Nationals. Smith summons the project's lead architect to the front of the room Thursday to remind him that opening day is less than eight months away.
Imagine having to call Bruton to say: "The good news is I love the sunglasses. The bad news is that I made a mistake and the track won't be finished until October."
In the corner of the speedway garage, not far from Bruton's chair, is the Top Fuel car that belongs to longtime Lincolnton drag racer Doug Herbert. The tires are the size of the Panther statues outside Bank of America Stadium.
What would happen to the architect if he fails to make deadline? What happened to the Concord and Cabarrus County officials who fought him on the drag strip? Some of the tire marks have yet to be removed from their foreheads.
But Thursday is not a time to talk about controversy. Bruton won. Why would there be controversy?
Instead there are kind words, compliments and praise. The mood is so sweet you want to check your blood sugar count.
There also is drama. A rope is pulled, lights flash and a 20-foot artist's rendering of the drag strip is dramatically unveiled. At racing news conferences you can always count on two things: a dramatic unveiling and free food.
The local officials who were run over by Bruton smile Thursday. The last time I saw them their smiles looked frozen. But by Thursday, they had begun to thaw. Cabarrus County officials estimate that September's four-day National Hot Rod Association event will generate almost $10 million.
The Godfather's drag strip will be dazzling. When has he built something that was not?
If you aren't impressed, you might want to keep it to yourself.
IN MY OPINION
Tom Sorensen