The Old Man In Me

The making of a racing legend. This is a poem about the culture of stock car racing in America. Yes, this is a rare topic to see, but I think you will enjoy this narrative, uniquely written in conversation form. It explores the qualities of age versus

This wrinkled face has felt the sweat from many chases,
I had once been at the top of the heap in winning races.
Now I’m much too old of a man to sit in someone’s hot rod-
But I wish I could still feel those front tires cuttin’ sod.

 

 

I’ll not go on ‘bout how much I did or who I once knew;
You, young man, will figure this out on your own to.
You seem like the hot shoe, all dressed up in black and red,
But I could tell you ‘bout racin’ without a helmet on my head.

 

I want to help ya boy, I’m real tired of just being a fan-
But young lad, I don’t want it wasted on a flash in the pan!
Tell me boy if your serious, if your for real, I wanna know,
I can get you to the front, if this chance you’ll not blow.

 

My years have been spent and I have not much left to give-
My knowledge I have to lend, but not much longer I’ve to live.
I have watched you from the stands, you run a really good line,
I want to make you the champ, then your win will also be mine.

 

So how ‘bout it, is it a deal, will you let this old man have a thrill?
Give me a month, give me two, a championship will cover the bill;
I am ready, times a wastin’, I’ll bring the scales and you the desire,
I’ll have you freed up, wound up, and setting the field on fire.

 

Well old man, thank ya for your thoughts, yea I’m a young buck,
I know my way ‘round the track, but some say it’s a lot of luck.
I’ve won a time or two and I got a lot of ‘em left in me-
With a car that's good, a motor that's strong, a championship I see! 

 

If you think the winner's circle is what your skill will bring me,
Then old man, by all means, to the checkers your setup will be!
Don’t you worry about my desire or my black and red drivin' suit-
There both gonna fit well when we’re winning in that 3200lb brute.

 

Well then boy, let’s get started, we gotta ways to go before we’re ready-
Gather your crew and your tools, we’re gonna make this car fast and steady.
We’ll start with the chassis, then on to the motor, leaving the driver for last-
That last part is the tough one, but it’s the one that will make you go fast!

 

Here's a little speed secret, something you never did know-
With the spindle like that, that right front’s gonna really grow.
And changing the angle on the pinion - more torque will surely follow,
I'll tell ya this as well, some speed will come if that part is hollow!

Old man, you worry me, we ain’t never set one up like this,
This car’s gonna be all wrong and the handling will be a'miss!
And what’s that your doing right there on that centerlink?
I am certain that to drive this car will have me on the brink.

 

I know what I’m doing lad, your rais'n too much heck;
Maybe your suit needs pressin’, you’d better go and check.
I’m gonna twist and tweek this crate like no one's ever seen;
Back on the track, you’d better be on the wheel of this machine.

 

Ok, Ok, old man, now am I ready to terrorize the front five?
I’ve watched us work for a month now and listened to the jive.
We’ve tweaked, twisted, polished, and adjusted anything that moves,
Surely this car of mine is ready to run in the groove!

 

Alright my boy, you need to listen up and listen real good-
You are the most important part, all the tweakin' stops at the hood.
You gotta see the race from a whole new perspective and view,
This car’s gonna get you there, but finding the holes are up to you.

 

Race with your whole head and not with your whole heart;
Think your way through the turns, and the traffic will begin to part.
You'd better never drive that car from just ahead of the front bumper;
You had better be way up front, planning your next race stumper!

 

Now my boy, I’ve told you all, from the springs to the shocks,
To the bumpsteer and the Ackerman, I’ve got you through the roadblocks.
I’ve told you how to drive and the front five now you can find-
Now go out there and race that car, and give me some peace of mind!

 

That was the year that me and the old man laid the field to waste,
We saw top fives and victorys in just about every single race.
The old man was as no one had ever seen him before;
Bright eyed and ready to race, he was always lookin’ for more.

 

I’ve moved on from that little track, so many years ago;
I was a nobody then, but now I’m a real racin’ hero.
The fans out there think that it’s all me drivin' that race car-
But I know better, as the old man still speaks to me from afar.

 

I can still hear his words as through the traffic I dart-
“Race with your whole head and not with your whole heart”!
I have discovered over the course of my many racin’ years,
No truer words have been spoken, and they still bring tears.

 

I miss the old man, his life really made a difference in me;
Funny thing, now when I look in the mirror, it's the old man I see.
Soon I will be lookin’ for that young buck to take under my wing,
Then he will hear me say, “peace of mind to me bring!”
 

Reviews

[Jeanne Broome]

Well...I am a racing fan and have been a Nascar fan forever. Dad always had the races on at our Marina where I worked for him growing up. Now my son in law and I are at each other, as he likes a different driver then I. I loved this piece...it is so sentimental..and endearing. It was manly and reminded me of my dad...always wanting to impart more of his knowledge on me. We had six girls and he was 46 before my brother was born...so I was his token tom-boy learning all the things his son would have normally learned. They weren't planning on having anymore...surprise!!!
The piece was philosophical, and I like the way you brought the beginning and the end in full circle..like the characters intentions to pass on what he learned about winning in life. It was also picturesque...I could see the car..the small track and smell the oil and grease...see the man working on the car. Very good descriptions....made me melancholy for my dad.Loved it CT.

Whether it is a father /son driver (or) grandfather/ grandson driver or even just an old pit boss and a young buck driver, whatever the scenario...the story spoke to me. I was taken under the wing of a kindly old man who had something more to give...and just wanted one more chance to share his knowledge and have a legacy of teaching someone how to win. To make a difference in a young mans life. Congratulations!!!You should have won first! JB

[MissRed]

Wow, very impressive! How long did it take you to write this? I'm not a racing fan, but it was the story you told that compelled me to continue reading till the end. Great work!

[Rick Puetter]

Todd,

This was REALLY nice. More work to be done (when isn't there), but this feels like an epic poem to me. It feels like "Casey at the bat", a real down-home epic. Kudos and Bravos! And it has the ageless message of life marching by, with each generation taking its part, in turn, to teach the next generation. It's just classic! The poem is long, and deserves to be long. But that means lots of work to polish it to a high sheen. Please do so, then take this poem someplace where it can really be recognized. You have a prize here, at least I think so if you put in the effort.

Best regards and admiration,

Rick

[Tony]

OK. I like this. It reminds me of NASCAR, but much more. I motocrossed for years and although my bones and muscles are not still fit for it, I do know the sport in it's reality. As I sit in the stands and watch the young up and comings, with all the most awesome of technology, I often think:
"Why doesn't he keep his out side elbow up in the berms? Why doesn't he weight the out side peg? Why, Why, Why?
Aw............if I were a younger man.
Hell, even if I had a car or a bike!
Thanks for the images, well done this.

[Emily Elizabeth]

Wow I adored the narrative! I'm a big form of the dialogue form myself, and I have to say, you nailed it here! Stock car racing is not something I'm aware of, and yet even I felt myself caring about it after reading this! The characters are all well designed, and you have chosen a very interesting and original subject that will no doubt grab people's attention. The way you write is so professional, I would expect to see something of this high calibre of quality in a poetry book or anthology.
The flow of it is perfect, I love how it really is just like a story, with a clear start middle and end. The ending itself was extremely touching, and sweet, and completely perfect! To me this kind of sums up American paternal relationships that is so different to England. The young racer looks up to the old man and respects his advice, even if he is unsure of it, and the old man is gentle and yet firm in guiding him. There is alot of emotion and friendship. It's absolutely lovely!