Throwing Hands

 

Well...that was something.

My son and I sat and watched the NASCAR All Star race last night (May 19th). The cost to go was more than we wished to invest so watch from home we did. For those who do not follow the races, the All Star race is not a points race, it is for those who have won a race in the season, who wins their way in during the shoot out or who is voted in by fans. Twenty drivers take the field in the hopes of winning a cool million dollars.

 Due to events of the weekend, the schedule was altered. Saturday a severe storm went through that had lightening strikes close enough that the race was halted. Then it dumped five inches of rain in less than two hours time. This caused the truck race to be postponed until Sunday morning. Videos show trucks being moved out of the water and cars being covered and moved to safer areas. There is also video of drivers and pit crew members taking advantage of the storm provided pool at one corner of the track.

 During the running of the truck race there was a driver who made a name for himself quickly. I'm thinking this was his inaugural race, but not positive. Either way, he started at or near the back and during the course of the two part race, passed well over 60 trucks, yes, he did pass some more than once but it still counted. He had something to prove and he did just that thing. Determination and ability were his keys to success. He may not have won the race, but I know he won a lot of respect.

 The All Star Race started much later. With that million dollars on the line the name of the game was aggression. Trying to get position, trying to pass through openings, trying to get to the head of the line and stay there. The one who eventually won, did just that leading all but one lap. His victory though was over shadowed by another event. Driver One moved into an area making it three wide, causing driver Two to brush the wall. He didn't wreck, he kept on quite well. However, being unhappy the moment driver Two got the chance, he caused driver One to wreck and took him out of the race. Well, driver One had no way out of the infield so he waited for the end of the race and the chance to have a 'discussion' with driver Two. Yes, fists were thrown by many. Videos of the event are all over the internet.

 Twenty drivers were all on this newly paved short track going for that million dollar pay out. One got angry and took another out deliberately. I really doubt this is over. But, that was a sporting event, what about in every day life? What happens when we want something so badly? When we have a goal or bonus or some reward that we desperately want and are working toward, and someone deliberately takes us out of the running? It wasn't a lack of anything on our part. It wasn't due to a miscommunication or lack of needed materials. We were moving toward that goal but for some reason, real or imagined, another ruins our chances. We are left standing to the side watching the goal we sought go to another. We may not have been the eventual winner, but we would have had a chance that was taken away.

What then? What do we do after the fact? Do we become violent and throw hands or worse? Do we pout and hold a serious grudge that will eventually create an action and response of some form, possibly violent? Do we handle it in a calm, mature fashion? Do we hope that those over the event take action? Do we use it as a catalyst toward betterment and future events? Does it become a personal challenge to set that next goal and seek it with a better determination?

Physical fights, especially those where by no one is injured can be entertaining for those watching. Fights captured can make for good video. In the end though, nothing really good is accomplished. Determination to be better, stronger, more prepared and success oriented, usually creates more success than throwing hands any day.