You can't look at hamburgers, tires, tools, and cereal advertisements the same ever again after seeing them on an official NASCAR. I'm sitting here typing this post and looking at the TV broadcasting Budweiser Shootout at Daytona where it all started.

These pictures were taken this week at the 'Race and Ride' promoting NASCAR and professional bull riding at the Childress Museum in Welcome, NC.

http://rcrracing.com/museum/

Childress on FB http://www.facebook.com/RichardChildress

Childress Vineyards

I don't know all the names in NASCAR. I just know I like it. I know the TV is tuned there when it comes on cause my men think it's part of our religion to have it on. Just like we salute the flag and still God Bless America.

Racing started in NC on the backroads hauling moonshine and running from the law. NC use to be the no.1 grower of grapes and produced more wine and liquor than any other state--then came the prohibition. Then came hauling moonshine cause a man had to make a living and men were going to have fun.

The vineyards turned to tobacco fields and the liquor making became moonshine cause it was made in the hills by the light of the moon and hidden from the authorities. And to update you----Our tobacco fields are now being turned back in to vineyards---and Childress owns one of the finest vineyards in the area----Now you know why this little garden girl is writing about NASCAR. I went to meet Mr. Childress and find out if he gardens too.

I don't condone getting drunk and being a nuisance...but not everyone was a nuisance-- there is a good and prideful side that has hung on to this racing tradition. There were men who became good at tinkering with engines until competitions started and then there was Daytona in Florida.

Daytona raced half on the beach and half on the street. But the boys here at home that weren't moving moonshine raced at Bowman Gray not more than 15 minutes from my house. I went there to watch these cars race.

I would sit in the bleacher style seats with daddy and three of my brothers and we'd cheer on our favorite drivers. I've seen all the greats. I'm betting daddy knew them all. My daddy owned a furniture manufacturing company in High Point, NC.

He would sit there with us kids and drink I don't know how many beers, smoke 3 packs of cigarettes, argue with everybody around us, us youngins would run all over, daddy let us eat whatever we wanted, and then daddy would haul us all home. I knew daddy drove 3 sheets to the wind but we were passed out and everybody else was weaving in unison so we made it home together. That's just how it was.

Now they got fancy cars and I still watch but not without thinking about the Bowman Gray days. And I've taken my kids to Bowman Gray and they've seen me shed a tear every single time. You can't get back the good old days---and not that I'd want to but there are sweet memories.

My daddy was a drunk at night but he was loved by a lot of people and generous with his money. He really was but ya'll---he fought in WW2, he ran a successful furniture business, raised 4 kids after being broke most of his life, was part of the generation who built this country, and left me with memories I'll never forget.

So I dedicate the opening of NASCAR to daddy. Mr Childress I hope you knew him. My family originally came from Welcome. Mr. Essick painted a picture of our old Miller/Delapp homestead(Good Morning Miss Delapp) . I wish I had that painting. I'm a 9th generation NCer and it just doesn't get any better than to be NC made.

Clint Bowyer's car--he did walk away from this wreck.

Pictured above, Junior Johnson, his son Robert Johnson, and professional bull rider JB Mauney. All were at the 'Race and Ride' to sign autographs for the fans. I'm doing a documentary on the NASCAR drivers for Garden World Report for Shirley Bovshow. I want to know--do the drivers garden? I hope I get to interview them all. 

I will also do a tour of the Childress Vineyards. I have done Benjamin Vineyards and Iron Gate Vineyards. You can see those in NC Backroads. Or see my Vlogging the South tab.