Bristol Motor Speedway and Patriotism

I received the following in an email from Bristol Motor Speedway. If you're on their e-mail list, I'm sure you received it as well.

However, I found this to be commendable and knew some of our bloggers out there have served in the military or have family currently serving, and wanted to spread the word. This is straight from Bristol Motor Speedway, not my words:

Seeking your photos to salute "Our American Soldier" during Sharpie 500 pre-race ceremonies

As Bristol fans, you know audience participation in pre-race ceremonies is a tradition here at "The World's Fastest Half-Mile." You also know patriotism often plays a role. As a salute to our nation and the men and women of our armed forces, we're preparing a video tribute featuring the song "American Soldier" by Toby Keith and we need your help.

We have Bristol fans who are veterans and many who still actively serve. Many fans have loved ones currently overseas protecting our freedom. Some have even made the ultimate sacrifice defending the Red, White and Blue.

We cannot think of a better way to salute "Our American Soldier" than to feature military service photos of you or your family members who have served, or currently serve our nation proudly.

To that end, we're requesting you e-mail a photo of you, or your family member in uniform, either formal or candid, to photo@bristolmotorspeedway.com. Please limit your e-mail to just one photograph. Please make sure the individual in the photo is in uniform. While we cannot promise all photos submitted will be included, we will try to incorporate as many of them as we can into the video tribute. Photos must be submitted by 5 pm on Friday, August 14.

Thanks for your help in advance and God Bless America.

In The Spotlight: Moses Smith

Moses Smith, 2009 NASCAR Camping World Series West Driver, is in his 3rd full season driving for the revered Bill McAnally. Moses Smith drives the No. 16 Hasa Pool Products/White Flyer Toyota Camry.

This past Saturday, NASCAR Camping World Series West raced at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah (near Salt Lake City). With his new sponsor Blimpie on board, Moses qualified the #16 Hasa Pool Products / White Flyer Toyota Camry in eighth position for the start of the Miller Motorsports Park “125.” However, after misfortune forced the team to pit three times, Moses found himself in 18th place at the race’s halfway point.

After the last yellow flag, with only ten laps to go, Moses charged forward from eighth place for a 5th place finish.

Want to see and hear Moses? Here is an interview he did at Miller Motorsports Park this past weekend in Utah:



Tomorrow, beginning at 3:00 p.m. ET, you can watch Moses Smith in action during the West Series Infineon Race on SPEED Channel.

I'm not going to pretend that I know the talent level of this driver in the spotlight, but I've become acquainted with Moses' mother Z. Smith through Twitter. Through the communications with Mrs. Smith, she has asked that I, and all NASCAR fans, vote for Moses in the annual Most Popular Driver contest for the Camping World West series. Moses won the prestigious Most Popular Driver Award last year and looks to keep his crown.

You can vote once daily through the NASCAR.com website at this link:

http://www.nascar.com/news/features/mpd.poll.camping.world.west/index.html

The drivers don't know the results until the awards banquet at the end of the season.

Thank you for voting for Moses Smith daily for the Most Popular Driver!

(Special thanks/credit go to Z. Smith and www.MosesSmith.com)