It’s admittedly been a while since I last blogged to my race fans but I purposely did not want to write a stereotypical blog just for the sake of writing on schedule. I wanted to write something worth reading and entertaining for all of you with a fresh and clear perspective. So here we go… :)
First, let’s start off with a little bit of music playing in the background like Nickelback. Ahhh, much better.
Now that I am jammin’ to some good rock n roll, I guess I should start by saying that Ercie Hill was right for the most part. She and Eddie, among many other close friends and fans, have communicated with me via e-mail since the Chicago race. Ercie stated that there was a perfect plan for me and to just be patient; kinda hard for a guy like me who usually just makes things happen but I am certain she is right. I believe her quote was something like “Alan, there’s a perfect plan for you and listen darlin’: Eddie and I have learned there is life after drag racing.” I am certain she is right about most of what she said but I am definitely not done with racing just yet. As a matter of fact, I am considering driving a Top Dragster in the interim so that I can resume my passion of burnin’ up the quarter-mile until I return to Top Fuel, which looks like will be in 2009. I will give you more information on 2009 when the time is appropriate.
Meanwhile, more recently I have had some time to kick back, relax, have some fun and analyze a few things, especially this week since I am on vacation with my family in Orlando, Fla. I am actually sitting on the couch in my condo chillin’ while everyone else is in the pool soaking up some rays. The first thing I have decided is that I am far from done with racing because it is literally the very passion that makes my heart beat and no one will get in the way of that.
Secondly, we all experience curves in the road but what I have realized is that they all lead to new horizons as long as you keep your head up and keep looking for opportunity to knock. You can bet one thing for sure and that is whatever it is will have an engine and steering wheel for me and a competitor in the other lane. I am certain of this because even though we are “vacationing” as we speak, I have managed to get a few races in today while we are here such as some go karting and even an air-powered dragster that accelerates from 0 to 110 mph in 2 seconds over a 200-foot-long course. It was definitely right up my alley and my family has found a whole new appreciation with what we do with 7,000-horsepower Top Fuel dragsters after this “little joy ride,” as I called it.
I also got to check out the Samson Monster truck with my daughter, Jacque, so I decided to strike a pose like Samson himself. It was a typical embarrassing moment for her which made it perfect for me being my usual self. I also got a chance to hang 10 surfing on Cocoa Beach. I went so fast, I didn’t even get my shoes or clothes wet. Ummmhhh, yeah right, something like that.
Lastly, I have decided that life’s awkward moments always make you appreciate the good ones even more, kinda like winning a race after going through a dry spell without winning. Also, like I have said many times before after having lost a race, “If we leave this moment smarter than the way we showed up, then it’s not all for naught.” I have a greater appreciation for where I have been and what I have been able to accomplish in my life so far and look forward to many more great moments to come.
Finishing on a very light note, I want to introduce you to two of my very close friends, Courtney and Chase Taliaferro. They are the kiddos of my friends, Michael and Dana Taliaferro. Michael helped me run my Top Alcohol Dragster in 2001 and 2002 and we previously raced against one another back in the mid to late ‘90s with his brother, Mark Taliaferro along with Darrell Russell and his family. Those were definitely the good ol’ days. Michael recently shared a story with me about his son, Chase, that I believe bears repeating. Michael told me that Chase plays the NHRA Drag Racing 2007 PlayStation game all the time and that he always plays the role of me driving the BME Top Fuel dragster. He said Chase also tells everyone that Alan Bradshaw is his brother, too. I about cracked up with laughter and yet felt honored and almost embarrassed that some little kid thought that much of me but all in all, I think it’s cool and it reminds me that the little race fans of today are the future of our great sport tomorrow so it’s up to us to protect and fortify these lil’ race fans’ passions by being good role models to them and encouraging them to chase their dreams such as we have done.
By the way, I am very much looking forward to my return to Top Fuel and I would be back tomorrow with my own team if three million bucks showed up on my door step, I guarantee it!!
See you soon, AB out.