DRIVER ZONE:
Overall Rank: 43
Overall Score: 24 points
URL: /art_shimko
Member since: 08/03/2007
Number of hits: 4331
Gender: Male
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Quote/Motto: Racing makes heroin addiction seem like a vague longing for something salty.
Favorite Driver: Brian Vickers
Driver I won't be sending a Christmas card:
Sam Hornish Jr
Who Am I:
Graphic designer with a lovely wife and three cats. Co-owner of three websites:
-- http://www.combat-hooligans.com/
-- http://motoballusa.wordpress.com/
-- http://darksideofthehooligans.com/
- Other interests include pro wrestling, mixed martial arts, boxing, poker, visual arts, camping, concerts. Also a total beer and bourbon snob.
Favorite Track:
Dover International Speedway
Favorite Racing Moment:
Going to my first race this summer and experiencing the action and culture upfront
How I discovered Rowdy, and why I Listen:
I was searching for any NASCAR-related podcasts on iTunes and Rowdy was on top of the list... I've listened to other podcasts but honestly none of them are as cool as Rowdy which I feel has a nice balance of humor and analysis.
Why I'm a race fan:
Last season I started watching bits of the races on Fox and ESPN, I enjoyed the personalities in the media as well as the action on the track. I love the various color schemes of the race cars also.
What car/truck I drive now:
N/A
My dream car:
Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
Favorite Music:
top five favorites: 1) Led Zeppelin 2) The Grateful Dead 3) Metallica 4) Genesis 5) Miles Davis -- Anything considered "classic rock" (more from the 60's-80's), metal, jazz, prog rock, bluegrass, outlaw country, classical, late 80's/early 90's rap
Favorite Movies:
Control Room, The Crow, Flags Of Our Fathers, Before The Music Dies, Decline Of The Western Civilization Pts. 1&2, Singles, Say Anything, The Breakfast Club, One Crazy Summer, Better Off Dead, Fight Club, Pooty Tang, The Last Waltz, Snatch, Hedwig & The A
Favorite TV Shows:
The Ultimate Fighter, Human Weapon, Dogfights, Ice Road Truckers, Law & Order, SVU, Cold Case, Without A Trace, American Justice, City Confidential, How It's Made, Survivorman
Favorite Books:
Hammer Of The Gods, The Long Hard Road Out Of Hell, Storming Heaven, Marijuana Myths Marijuana Facts, Private Parts, Miss America, Living With The Dead, Rocking The Classics, Opening The Musical Box, Wrestling At The Chase
Interests:
online poker, visual and graphic arts, combat sports, motorsports, peace, music, literature, art house flims, camping
Dislikes:
Hatred, ignorance, arrogance, hypocrisy
Hobbies:
Drawing, Painting, Digital Artwork, Camping, Reading, Internet
Vices:
Euro beer, Stoudts, Porters, Bourbon that costs over $20
Virtues:
bullheaded principles, loyalty, liberal
Heroes:
Anybody who's brave enough to live and achieve goals through their own principles despite discouragement from others. Anyone who's had the balls to stand up to others and voice their opinions without fear of rejection, excommunication and/or death
NASCAR Now segment on Alan Kulwicki
Sunday morning I caught the last fifteen minutes of NASCAR Now as they presented a segment on the late Alan Kulwicki discussing the upcoming fifteenth anniversary of his death (which is today).
Lots of emotional interviews and memories from people who knew and worked with him but the part that really put a lump in my throat was seeing the video clip of his team truck leaving Bristol Motor Speedway the following day, man was that a bummer.
Watching the profile I came to admire Kulwicki's "do-it-yourself" attitude and methods he brought to racing, I loved how some of his former crew were recalling being intimidated when Kulwicki would stand behind them or beside them as they were working on his race car and not knowing what Kulwicki was thinking as he would remain silent and observe.
And of course seeing the inception of the "Polish Victory Lap" was pretty damn cool, especially the TV announcers' reaction which made it even more gold.
Can some of the older fans here recall any memories they had of Kulwicki like some of his rivalries and/or best moment on and off the track? I only know of what I saw in that ESPN segment and some stuff I read online.
Alan Kulwicki was fascinating. He was such an outsider, and so unbelievably smart and solitary that he was quite an enigma! He sure knew how to handle a racecar and would get so upset with HIMSELF if he had a bad day on the track. He was constantly thinking and trying to learn how to be better. Winning the championship, if I recall correctly, came down to the wire for Alan at the last race of the season. It was a spectacular season with a flawlessly exciting end. He did it his own way and it is simply tragic that we never got to see him do it his way again. Racer 187 and I cried when we lost Alan Kulwicki (and Davey Allison for that matter), but especially when, at the awards banquet in Dec. of that year, they played Sinatra's "My Way" and showed many clips from his racing life. It tore at your heart.
- Chief187
- 15:09:09 04-01-2008
I think I also recall Kulwicki having to race for sponsorship before Hooters took a chance on him. He'd be battling to be in it so he could return the next week, or, if luck was on his side, several weeks in a row. He was a fighter and a true champion with a matchless work ethic.
- Chief187
- 15:11:16 04-01-2008
He was the last successful owner-driver in NASCAR's top series. What an amazing man and career he had, cut short. Sad day...
- Racer187
- 09:54:59 04-01-2008
Thanks for reminding us about Alan.
I was a big fan and I have a lot of great memories.
- John Ousterhout
- 20:06:15 04-01-2008
In case you missed it, or want to watch it again, espn.com has this segment posted in their NASCAR videos.
- Keith
- 14:52:32 04-02-2008
Five years ago I had the pleasure to host a remembrance of AK's life at the Greenfield, WISC Hooters. We met with family, friends, and fans of Alan Kulwicki and then went to the grave for a candle light vigile. It was so cool getting to know even more about AK and looking at all the old pictures from his short track racing days.
Dennis (RaceTalkRadio)
- Dennis
- 20:32:33 04-03-2008
Game Challenges
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