Junior Legion at State; NASCAR talk

Senior Legion season ends after downing Shelby, Post 423 had a tough time with #1 seed Union County as they were swept in three games last week. Considering they started 0-5, they did a great job to recover and make the second round of the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Rutherford Junior Legion (18-2) played in Swansboro this past weekend for the State title. They ended up beating Cary in their first game, 10-5. They were rained out Saturday and played twice on Sunday.

Forest City Owls (16-18, 3-4) It's going to be an uphill climb as they sit three games back of claiming fourth in the West. Even if they get to fourth, they may not get into the playoffs. Florence is winning the second half and Asheboro nabbed the first playoff spot by winning the first half standings. Asheboro sits seventh in the second half standings, just three games back. Only two playoff spots will be left if the standings stay this way. That would force the Owls to miss the postseason. The Owls are 5-5 in the last 10 games.

Concussions: Dale Earnhardt Jr. sat out this past weekend with concussion like symptoms and many are already trying to retire the guy. When he feels like that's what he has to do, he will tell us all. Junior is not done, but I understand the concern. He did what he felt was best and that's it. Senior was still driving at 49, who says Junior won't try to do the same until 50. I say he will go until at least 45 unless the concussion issues continue or get worse. This is now the third time it's been an issue. I get it. I expect to see him back at Indy, but if not, Jeff Gordon will take the wheel one more time.

Jeff Gordon's Espy snub. It pretty blatant for ESPN to do what they did. NASCAR apparently isn't important enough to them. They are all too busy trying to change the world. As bad as I hate to say it, NASCAR in some aspects is changing too. Let me put it this way to you ESPN, Jeff Gordon made you a lot of money over the years. Gordon put up 20-plus years of racing in NASCAR and when the viewers turn on the TV when you had the rights, they wanted to know how Jeff was doing during races. ESPN has followed the sport throughout just by sending reporters to events. How could it not be important if they are there every weekend?

Jeff was the face of changing the sport, the brand, the image, but the guy won nearly 100 Cup events, third on the all-time list and nabbed four championships. I would venture to say that Gordon's political views are more towards the way ESPN thinks if I was guessing. Still, to shun one of the biggest icons in sports history when you honor those who have done so much in their sport. C'mon...Man!

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