With the naming of former pro wrestler Ric Flair as grand marshall and the promoting of this year's All-Star race with kitschy posters (like the one on your left), I'm sensing the folks at Lowe's Motor Speedway will be playing up a certain theme during the event on May 16. Speedway officials have already announced that there will be changes to the race format itself. But, given Lowe's history of over-the-top promotions (remember the re-enactment of the Grenada invasion?) I wouldn't be surprised if they go all out with the whole slugfest motif.
Picture this: the infield is obscured in darkness, until a few rotating spotlights illuminate an empty ring. Out of the silence, the booming voice of the announcer begins driver introductions. Then, as each driver is introduced, he bounds into the ring like a prize fighter wearing a satin cape, boxing trunks and even a big gold belt. Or, maybe the this year's trophy will actually be a championship belt for the winning driver.
I foresee pre-race trash talking, illegal holds and maybe even some helmet throwing. But if the night turns into an all-out smackdown, my money is on Kevin "Happy" Harvick.
I get the feeling that after this All-Star event, we're going to need a boxing ring. But its good to see that the designers of the poster didn't have to do much to Carl Edwards.
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