Karen with Matt Kenseth’s No. 20 car.
Walking to the exit at the Syracuse mega shopping, dining and entertainment complex Destiny USA, my dear wife Karen was drawn to the car in the corridor.
It was not one of the shiny new models local dealers park here and there in these halls, the ones that leave me chuckling at the sticker price.
This Toyota, decked out in Dollar General yellow, was the No. 20 car we watch driven on NASCAR tracks every weekend from February through November.
Matt Kenseth may be Karen’s favorite driver. Or that might be Kevin Harvick. She roots for Jimmy Johnson regularly, too. And Jeff Gordon. Sometimes Clint Boyer.
In any case, Kenseth seems to be her top choice when we name our four drivers each week in our spousal NASCAR pool. (I root for Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin and switch off between Brad Keselowski and teammate Joey Logano, if you must know.)
Karen liked seeing the Kenseth car from just outside the black cord barrier.
The back of the car was adorned with the orange color and logo of another Kenseth sponsor, Home Depot.
I wondered if this particular model even has an engine in it.
The reason for its parking in a mall in Syracuse? The big sign next to it advertised the NASAR August road course race at Watkins Glen, just 90 minutes down the road from Destiny USA.
The August race at Watkins Glen is called the Cheez-Its 355.
Have you ever ran into a race car parked inside your mall? What number car would you like to see up close the most?
Mark Bialczak 
I cannot believe your wife likes that crazy yellow car! But the fact she likes the driver is the key to the whole matter. I think it was so fun to think about you two tooling around in a wild car, then racing on a track, my imagination went a little off the subject, too! Karen looks great and if it doesn’t sound corny, like the cat who swallowed the canary! (Canary being yellow, ha ha!)
LikeLike
We have not driven the car, just looked at it at the mall and a couple of tracks, Robin. But if we had the chance, Karen would drive it first! You are right, it’s the driver and the car color is secondary.
LikeLike
“inimitable”
Now there is a word we hear (or I hear) far too infrequently.
‘Awesome’ ‘Wonderful’ ‘Top Shelf’, ‘Bitchin’–okay, don’t hear bitchin’ much lately…but we hear these too much…you catch my drift.
‘inimitable’
Now that is a compliment!
And a great word (if one is on the receiving end)
Really
Really bitchin’ compliment and from a literate person, even better.
Sincerely Mark, Thank you.
I will busy myself with the ‘Car-bought-from-a-small-Texan-Town-Pawn-Shop’ post presently.
See how it goes? You network with friends and voila!
You have your next post.
Great stuff!
I do thank you.
LikeLike
Exactly, Lance. I love it when I can experience any sort of voila! moment, my friend. Thank you for every word, especially that one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Should have read, ‘et voilà!’ (but I am just anal that way.)
Salut!
LikeLike
Gracias and de nada.
LikeLike
bevakasha
😉
LikeLike
I just plugged your site.
Hope you don’t mind.
Cheers,
Lance
LikeLike
Appreciate it, Lance. Thank you.
LikeLike
I have not owned a car since 1993 and that one I bought at a pawn shop in Honey Grove Texas–true story–maybe I need to blog about it.
Anyway, Cars don’t excite me since I left California back in ’90 (Mustered out of the Navy–had a Black Toronado–broke it) Another story….
LikeLike
Blog ’em in your inimitable style, Lance, please and thank you! A pawn ship car and a powerful Toronado. Can’t miss!
LikeLiked by 1 person
If we ever get this track built and sign a road course contract with NASCAR, we’ll get Karen a ride in the 20 car…but…Kenseth could be retired by that time it could take that long!
LikeLike
Oh, how she’d dig that, DJ. We can wait!
LikeLike
karen does look pretty happy in this picture, and i’ve never seen one that close up. as close as i can come was i saw the general lee when i was in nashville, though not really a race car, but it sure was a good road racer in ‘dukes.’ )
LikeLike
I’ve had my day with the roaring engines, feeling them in the seat actually, during my misspent youth. Then worked at my Uncle’s mini-something speedway, a precursor to today’s cars. Met Marty Robbins there on several occasions when he would come to race. Have to admit, there are times I’m glad I’m old and still alive, because it’s a wonder I got here. And it’s not over yet!!!!
LikeLike
You lived through some wild times, Angie. Yes, more to come, my Kentucky friend.
LikeLike
I’m batting a thousand today…. I do not watch racing, so I am not qualified to comment on this post, either. 😀 But if it counts for anything, I often drive BY the Daytona 500 venue. 😀
LikeLike
That does count, Rachel. Have you ever thought of going some year. The roar of the engines will hit you to the pitt of your stomach and you’ll never forget it! 🙂
LikeLike
Ahh…..No, I’d rather use my ears for loud concerts. 😀
LikeLike
I cannot argue against loud concerts, Rachel. :O
LikeLike
I figured if anyone would appreciate my comment, you would. 😉
LikeLike
It’s all F1 here which is ok, but Steve loves motorbikes more.
LikeLike
Does Steve ever drive a motorbike? I sure don’t, Rachel. Kind of scary, out there with no real protection but a helmet.
LikeLike
He used to – but sadly no more! I have to say that I miss it. Although not in the rain or wind!
LikeLike
I am impressed, Rachel. Very.
LikeLike
Just look at that twinkle in her eye! She’s smitten. That’s the look of a girl who likes to punch the pedal to the floor when no one is looking! I love her!
LikeLike
She can go fast in her Mazda, Sandra! Great acceleration.
LikeLike
Texas doesn’t count as The South Proper, but I imagine if you stuck a race car in a mall, you’re taking a big chance with risktaking men who don’t make good life choices. The car would disappear like a David Copperfield trick. And my, oh my, but it’s chartreusy.
LikeLike
Somebody would hotwire it in a flash, huh, Kerbey?
That is why I doubt the inclusion of an actual engine in the mall car.
Oh, so that’s chartreuse!
LikeLike
I’m not bright, so I wouldn’t even think about the engine. Boy stuff.
LikeLike
Chuck used to share garage space with Jimmy Johnson and 4 other guys at the Cajon Speedway back in the 90’s. We always cheer him on!
LikeLike
That is so cool, my sis(-in-law)!
LikeLike
Indy cars and F1 cars are the ones that blow me away. Just a narrow tube with a huge engine about 2 inches off the ground for Indy cars. Indy cars generate 650 HP or so and F1 750 HP. The F1 cars do it from a 1.6 liter turbo engine. The Indy cars 2.2 liter twin turbo. Unbelievable! Enjoy Watkins Glen it’s a great race venue.
LikeLike
Yes, the Indy and Formula One cars look like rocket ships. And death-on-wheels, too.
We have enjoyed the NASCAR road race at the Glen. You just have to know enough to buy tickets where they put one of the big screens, so you can follow along when the cars aren’t on your stretch of the course.
LikeLike
I would love to see them all! Hey, thanks for the email, sorry for not responding yet. I’ve not been well. I was really blessed by you checking on me though. Hugs to you both!
LikeLike
It was fun to imagine zooming around the track, Kim.
We’re thinking of you, hoping that you feel better.
LikeLike