(Words and photos by James Champion) – When the tv stars come to you local track it gets packed out even with the threat of bad weather looming. We had rain, lighting, and a tornado all in one weekend around Alabama’s Cottonwood Drag Strip but it did not keep the people away.
The cars and the stars could have loaded up and gone home but they stayed and put on one hell of a show . It took until almost midnight on Sunday to finish but they got it all in with a packed house, to boot. I have never seen such great people with the kids as this crew of racers were. JJ Da Boss was always talking with them and cutting up with anyone of the kids that he could. If there was a break or downtime he would go up in the stands with all the people and hang out, take photos, and sign things.
His wife, as he calls her the midget, was in the pits foot racing with a whole group of kids. In my opinion things like this are what can fix drag racing. The way they were with the fans was just so good. This man and his crew were not high and mighty, they were just good ol’ folk and happy to be at Cottonwood. As you’ll see in one of the photos, JJ is sitting with a young kid talking to him. “This is the future of drag racing,” is what JJ told me after the conversation.
I have worked a lot of event gotten to see a lot of stars just to be let down by fake people, but this group are as real as me and you. I was so impressed. It is going to be hard to top this show for our local track here in Cottonwood, Alabama. Always remember that the young kids of today are what we will all be watching in the future so when a group of tv stars take time to make them want to come back it is something we need to look at it a smile in this new day and time for drag racing.
Personally I find the memphis street outlaws to be the more down to earth of the 3 shows. It doesn’t surprise me that they would be so happy to speak to the fans. When you compare jj to chief its like someone sharing their passion compared to a wannabe vin diesel
These hillbilly tracks are evil and unsafe.
Be nice now young man.
Cottonwood and the Wiregrass welcomes them anytime!! Can’t wait for them to head back this way!
I guess the guy with 2 fingers up in the air represents the total IQ of the crowd. you can tell that by the amount of safety practice there. I’m surprised they don’t ride on the hood or roof of the cars to get better pics or video.
bang-shift, you are not doing any favors for us that race safely and wisely. would you subject your children to these idiotic races? you just help give racing a bad name.
\”you just help give racing a bad name\” yeah that\’s it close down some more tracks and wow lets go race on the street!!! Hooray! Before you go on a diatribe about how they are street racing on TV.. They are not. Roads are closed and EMT\’s are on standby. NOT the same. No matter what you do someone always has to complain. Tell you what, don\’t like what they are doing then don\’t go, don\’t watch it or be a part of it. Stop trying to sh*t on people having a good time and maybe even keeping a kid or two off drugs and point them in a better life direction.
Rant over.
LOL I sure don’t believe it’s bang-shift or jj that’s being it down.
I am not saying that street racing is a good thing,it’s a way of life.
YOU go bang-shift and JJ.
This track is just as safe as any other track by the sounds of it you just looking for something to cry about but in reality you don\’t know what your talking about because safety is #1 at this track so go find something else to cry about soyboy
^^^ What J. Diehl said!
Bravo.
Can’t stand to listen to this blowhard. Liked Street Outlaws but can’t watch the Memphis show because of this loudmouth.
I think they came and did a great job they entertained they interacted with the fans. With everything on TV being fake it was a pleasure talking and meeting with some down-home folks. Come back anytime.
well said
Lol if I promoted some kid to pick up a hobby an buy a car to work on and start racing I’d be proud.. the show doesn’t ever show them racing in a open street in traffic with nobody around but even so you honestly think that someone that wants to race has never took on a race outside the track would be a hard one to believe
You can always choose not to race if you feel the track is unsafe.