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Mud, Guts and Glory by Kerensa Wight He was preoccupied. All immediate thought had been hijacked. Tension held him at gunpoint. The adrenaline was surging. Concentration was primary. Control was critical. It was just a matter of time. Now all he could do was wait. She was ready. She had been waiting for this day. She was polished, defined, stunning. In the lull of the moment, it occurred to her that things would never be the same again. She could be hurt, damaged or possibly deformed. But she couldn’t think of that now. She knew tonight was her night, and she would have to perform her best. As the mango sun ripened, the anxious fever heightened. He approached her. She remained still. He gawked at her beauty. She felt the attraction. Confident, consistent and courageous, she could ask for nothing more. He came closer, teasing her. She wanted him, but felt his apprehension. There was nothing he could do, he couldn’t resist. He slid inside. When it felt right, he wrapped the straps around his body and yanked hard. He was ready now. His heart beat faster, and when he thought it would almost burst . . . someone screamed: “DRIVER’S, PLEASE START YOUR ENGINES!!!!!” At Deming Speedway, racing starts at 7:30 PM. The national anthem, for both U.S. and Canada, having been sung, leaves a sense of patriotism lingering in the air. The stands are filled with an attentive audience, stocked with souvenirs, snacks and beer, eager for the evening’s events. Down in the pits, the flurry of action signals the show is about to start. The cars make their way onto the track for a few practice runs. As they line up, the tension grows, driving slowly, waiting for the green flag to drop. As they approach turn three, the green flag flashes, and suddenly a wave of adrenaline swells over the crowd. Bullets of mud shoot from beneath the tires, hailing over the crowd. The cars battle for the winning position, waiting for a hole, so they might attempt a strategic pass. The yellow flag drops, indicating some trouble, and all the cars slow their speed. Racing continues and seven laps later, the white flag cues the last lap. As drivers aim for first place, the checkered flag is released and the rush is over.
The public has been captivated by racing since the days of Roman chariots stampeding through ancient stadiums. According to ESPN, auto racing trails only football as the most watched spectator sport in the United States. Sprint car racing at Deming, however, is a far cry from the professionalism of NASCAR, Indy Car, or Formula One.
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