NASCAR

The history of racing in the south is pretty interesting. The most popular and purely American of theses stories is of Moonshine Runners who souped up their cars to be able to out-run the law. Before I was even a twinkle in my parent's eyes, they were both racing on the beaches in Daytona.

Rockingham Speedway, "The Rock" is a paper clip shaped track on US 1 in Richmond County between Hoffman and the town of Rockingham. This large structure, a monument to all things racing, stands all alone surrounded by fields that twice a year were filled with cars, trucks, campers and motor homes. One small mom and pop gas station is close by, all other businesses require at least a 15-minute drive. This county, like many of its neighboring counties, had earlier been dealt quite a blow as the textile jobs were shipped to Mexico courtesy of NAFTA and CAFTA

I've never understood exactly what Robin Hayes does in Congress to earn the $165,000 we pay him each year. For example, back in December, when the Party of Greed was still in the majority, he totally bombed on getting money for Kannapolis road improvements.

Kannapolis officials were expecting $1 million from the federal government for road improvements on Dale Earnhardt Boulevard and N.C. 3, but that earmark was not passed by the U.S. House before the end of the session in December, according to Congressman Robin Hayes' office.