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All Star Race and Charities
Watching coverage leading in the general direction of the All Star race, I've found myself slightly disturbed by something. My understanding is that the $1,000,000 for winning the All Star race goes to the driver. Right? (Because seriously, this is something that I've never been clear on, even looking for the answer.)
Well, the thing with Kyle Petty's sponsors getting together and pledging money if he gets voted in is no surprise to me. Just like knowing that if he won he'd give all the money to Victory Junction. This is Kyle. It's not a foundation set up to support charities, it's a camp that has to be maintained and every dollar helps.
The thing about Kyle's is that they're supporting him above and beyond the purse for the race. It's a reward to him as a driver for his work with Victory Junction. Seeing some of the reactions of the other drivers, though, has me worried about how it could end up backfiring. I'm seeing several drivers pledge money to charities if they win. Which is admirable and surely their right (and for the ones already in the Winston itself - yeah, I'm calling it that - it doesn't weigh on their fans as to who to vote into the race) and I applaud them, but it starts putting pressure on all the others. And makes me wonder - where are their sponsors on something like this?
Because honestly, I worry that there will come a time when someone wins the Open and gets in and against all odds wins the $1,000,000 and then is dogged for not donating to charity (in some public and obvious manner - because I don't doubt for a minute that many past winners have given some to charity, just quietly) when that team could really use it. For instance, is there anyone that pretty much doesn't see Kirk Shelmerdine as a charity all by himself? He could use that money. I don't begrudge Kyle the chance to get voted in, because his sponsors are stepping up to the plate, but when other drivers want to get voted in as well and start saying "Well, I'll donate money to such and such..." I feel like it could take a wrong turn. There shouldn't be resentment among fans or against Kyle and Victory Junction because of the fan vote. And it shouldn't be a competition in the future.
(Yes, my pondering is tedious at times. LOL)
Watching coverage leading in the general direction of the All Star race, I've found myself slightly disturbed by something. My understanding is that the $1,000,000 for winning the All Star race goes to the driver. Right? (Because seriously, this is something that I've never been clear on, even looking for the answer.)
Well, the thing with Kyle Petty's sponsors getting together and pledging money if he gets voted in is no surprise to me. Just like knowing that if he won he'd give all the money to Victory Junction. This is Kyle. It's not a foundation set up to support charities, it's a camp that has to be maintained and every dollar helps.
The thing about Kyle's is that they're supporting him above and beyond the purse for the race. It's a reward to him as a driver for his work with Victory Junction. Seeing some of the reactions of the other drivers, though, has me worried about how it could end up backfiring. I'm seeing several drivers pledge money to charities if they win. Which is admirable and surely their right (and for the ones already in the Winston itself - yeah, I'm calling it that - it doesn't weigh on their fans as to who to vote into the race) and I applaud them, but it starts putting pressure on all the others. And makes me wonder - where are their sponsors on something like this?
Because honestly, I worry that there will come a time when someone wins the Open and gets in and against all odds wins the $1,000,000 and then is dogged for not donating to charity (in some public and obvious manner - because I don't doubt for a minute that many past winners have given some to charity, just quietly) when that team could really use it. For instance, is there anyone that pretty much doesn't see Kirk Shelmerdine as a charity all by himself? He could use that money. I don't begrudge Kyle the chance to get voted in, because his sponsors are stepping up to the plate, but when other drivers want to get voted in as well and start saying "Well, I'll donate money to such and such..." I feel like it could take a wrong turn. There shouldn't be resentment among fans or against Kyle and Victory Junction because of the fan vote. And it shouldn't be a competition in the future.
(Yes, my pondering is tedious at times. LOL)