Information moves faster than Nextel Cup cars, especially the Car of Tomorrow. After leaving the Dale Earnhardt Jr. news conference Thursday, I took off for I-77. Before I reached the freeway, I heard from my race fan brother in Minneapolis. Three people had called him to say that I had asked a question that made Earnhardt laugh. By the end of the day, I had heard from at least 25 people about the question.
When I ask questions at news conferences, they usually are brief. I'm not terribly outgoing, I don't require mass quantities of attention and I don't perform. I can't perform.
We were asked to preface our questions by saying who we are and who we work for. I offered my name and, rather than say Charlotte Observer, I said that I work with David Poole. I was going to say for David Poole, but was worried he might develop an ego.
David, of course, covers NASCAR for us, and is on radio and TV more than the Duke basketball team. When people ask me about famous folks I have met, I always said Muhammad Ali.
No more. I don't know if David can float like a butterfly, but he can sting. I say, yes I have met famous folks, among them David Poole.
And, yeah, Junior laughed. With me rather than at me, I think. It wasn't a great line. Just something to shake things up. I hadn't even considered that the news conference would be televised. If I had, I probably would have screwed up the question.
Tom, I love you as usual :)
Posted by: tom niemeier | May 11, 2007 at 01:49 PM
What the hell are you talking about??
Seriously.
Am I missing something? Is this supposed to be witty or something? David Poole?? He covers NASCAR, you work for/with (who really cares) him. You asked a question.
Big Deal.
Posted by: Larry | May 11, 2007 at 02:48 PM
Tom, until I saw you covering The Wachovia I never realized how short you are
Posted by: Joe | May 12, 2007 at 03:34 PM