AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2008 > March > 07 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBrad Daugherty, a 7-foot-tall NASCAR fanatic
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
Just guessing, but the most conspicuous person at the Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday for the Kobalt Tools 500 will be an African-American. He will be nearly taller than the scoring tower. He will be the guy whose drawl sounds like somebody from Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s household. He will be the one who could tell you every aspect of the Car of Tomorrow for hours, days or weeks without you asking.
Brad Daugherty really is into this racing stuff, and, yes, we’re talking about that Brad Daugherty.
Remember the former All-America basketball player for the University of North Carolina who later used his considerable skills at 7 feet to make a slew of All-Star teams in the NBA? He’s more than just a NASCAR analyst for ESPN these days. He’s a loyal racing fan who was so into the sport while growing up in Black Mountain, N.C., that he later wore No. 43 during his nine years with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
That was the number of Richard Petty, Daugherty’s hero.
This isn’t necessarily an indication that NASCAR is closer to its stated goal of more diversity. This is just an entry for Ripley’s Believe It Or Not. In fact, a lot of folks probably look at Daugherty as if he’s a little goofy or something.
“Oh, man. I’ll tell ya. Yeah,” said Daugherty, 41, who couldn’t care less how others view his passion. He spoke over the phone from his home in Asheville, N.C., adding, “My dad was a race fan, and I used to go to the track with him back in the mid-1970s, and it really wasn’t cool back then [for African-Americans]. But my dad was a big dude, man. He was about 6-foot-6, 300 pounds, and he was an ex-Marine. He was a good-natured guy, but nobody bothered him, and he loved racing.”
So did the son, along with the son’s childhood friends. They included Robert Pressley, whose father, Bob, was a legendary short-track racer around North Carolina. The younger Pressley had chores to do involving his father’s race car after school, and before long, Pressley’s buddy, Brad, began helping, too.
Then others followed. “These were the guys I played basketball with and also just knocked around with, and we built some race cars together,” Daugherty said. “We had a little short track here in Asheville, and we would go out on Fridays to try to see if we could get into the race, and it kept a lot of us out of trouble. I was the only African-American kid there, but I never really thought about it.”
Obviously not, because Daugherty kept living his passion. He loved basketball, but he really loved racing.
There were those late-model stock cars that Daugherty built with his friends during the mid-1980s. They loaded the cars on an old truck for trips around the Southeast, and they became proficient enough to win 38 races one summer. Even when he joined the NBA, he reached into his pocket to have a Busch car built for Pressley. Not only that, Daugherty was the crew chief, the spotter and often the mechanic for the operation. “I was the first rookie owner, and certainly the first African-American owner, to win with a rookie driver in the Busch series,” said Daugherty, who eventually moved into the Craftsman Truck Series.
With the likes of Kenny Irwin Jr. and Kevin Harvick, Daugherty’s team won two Truck Series races.
“So it tickles me. I’ve been going to these old raggedy tracks for 30 years, and I’ve done all kinds of things, and it amazes me, because people always say, ‘Gosh, man I can’t believe you’re at the race track,’ ” Daugherty said, laughing, before recalling that he also has been a member of NASCAR’s diversity council and rules committee.
Still, the looks. The giggles.
The disbelief.
“I find it funny that a lot of [media] people really have a problem with me being around the track,” Daugherty said. “They think it’s just some kind of political move, but I’m not there for that. I’m a huge racer. I’m a racer at heart, and I love what I’m doing.”
Since this was Daugherty, that ending sounded like something “The King” would say. Or maybe Petty would let his cowboy hat and shades do the talking.
Permalink | Comments (20) | Post your comment | Categories: Terence Moore
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Comments
By Najeh Davenpoop
March 7, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this
Oh man, I can’t WAIT to read the comments for this article.
By In a related story....
March 8, 2008 12:34 AM | Link to this
Did you all read that story about the cOOn that attacked Pat Summit, the coach of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers?
I wonder if there is a connection to this story about the one spotted at A T L Motor Speedway.
By In a related story....
March 8, 2008 12:38 AM | Link to this
Did you all read that story about the cOOn that attacked Pat Summit, the coach of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers?
I wonder if there is a connection to this story about the one spotted at A T L Motor Speedway.
By Buzz
March 8, 2008 2:47 AM | Link to this
Great story Terrance!
By Dale Anderson
March 8, 2008 4:04 AM | Link to this
Mr. Moore:
I just watched you this week on Jim Rome's show. If I had to choose who was the better guest between Mr. Chadiha and you, it is not even close. You win hands down. I am in total agreement with your analysis of Senator Spector and the JFK cover up. I look forward to seeing you on Jim's show again. DaleBy Dirt Racer
March 8, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this
Iv’e been a race fan since the 70s and never had a problem with anyone that’s into racing for any reason. The cool thing about racing is that if it’s in your blood you’re a racer. Skin color has nothing to do with it. I have never saw an incident at a track because of someone’s skin color. Brad or anyone else should NEVER have to explain why they are race fans. If people can’t handle this then I question their standing as a true race fan!
By Warren
March 8, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this
Terrence:
When many people are said to be “shallow” they are usually being insulted. Not so in this case.
Of all the sports writers and reporters there are few that I enjoy and can say are truely great. You’re my favorite.
The ones I like are SHALLOW. By that I mean your stories are true, accurate, unbiased, non-racists and lend to the humanity, right and wrong of the sports world. I don’t have to wade through the dark murky waters of coverups that other writers black and white use to disguise their biases. This is why their depth is so wrong.
Your articles are a bowl of clear shallow water that is clean, clear and truthful, no matter the age, color, or any other biase that could be used. You’re bowl of water is shallow and clear so that I can see the top and bottom without having to pour off the muddy water.
You’re the best.
I really enjoy your articles.
By The Official Terence Moore Scorecard!!!
March 8, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this
Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the official Terence Moore scorecard. The scoring grid is as follows:
Making a man ‘chuckle’: 2 pts Reference to the Oakland Raiders: 1 pt Reference to the San Francisco 49ers and/or Bill Walsh: 2 pts Reference to The Big Red Machine, Pete Rose and/or Joe Morgan: 2 pts Reference to Notre Dame: 2 pts Invoking the name of Art Shell: 25 pts Using the term ‘greatness’: 1 pt Using the term ‘goodness to greatness’: 3 pts Discussion of racial issues: 5 pts Endorsing a black head coach/GM: 3 pts Referring to UGA fans ‘barking’: 2 pts Sentences with five or less words to enhance signifigance: 3 pts Making a positive comment about and ATL pro team: (-2 pts)
TM Chart: 30+ pts: Worst Article Ever Written 25-29 pts: Goodness To God-Awfulness 20-24 pts: Touchdown Jesus Is Weeping 15-19 pts: Chuckle-worthy 10-14 pts: Bill Walsh Would Be Proud 5-9 pts: Is this Really Steve Hummer?? 0-4 pts: Someone’s Been On Jim Rome Is Burning Too Much This Week Negative Points: Best Article Ever
Todays Article: 19 pts Chuckleworthy
19 pts is almost a disappointment. When I saw Chuckles the Militant Clown was writing about an Affffffffrican-American in Nascar…I was expecting a good 50 pts.
By Laquisha
March 8, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this
Since NASCAR cars are easy to climb in and steal, are easy to exit and run away from cops after crashing into a wall and don’t even have turn signals in the first place, I am not surprised more fine Brotherz are becoming NASCAR Fanz.
By Roswell Ed
March 8, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this
Nice article on the most boring sport that I pay attention to.
Good background on Brad.
Why all the hating on BD?
He’s a man who has followed his dreams and made a success of himself the right way!!
Good for you Brad!!
By doggit
March 8, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this
start watching the ALMS - na$car is for KKK members.
By AL
March 8, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this
Good piece. I honestly like his break down of races and drivers, better than anyone elses. I believe the drivers,crew chiefs and owners respect him and open up a little more. Where as with Darrel Waltrip etc. they know they are in with certain teams and divulge litle. Brad is the consummate pro that is the model American doing it his way. No matter what “people” think. Good timing for article and worth pointing out. I have to admit I don’t like some of the race baited articles by TM. Praise when praise is due.
By nascar1
March 8, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this
So, you mean that you can be black and like nascar??? Thats insane!! WTF???
Thank God….I guess that means that me (a white dude)actually has permission to be a fan of basketball!!!
Brad is top notch and I enjoy listening to him. I don’t think of him as “black” until you bring it up Terrance!!
By Ken Stallings
March 9, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this
Couldn’t you have just done an article talking about how Brad Daugherty grew up a NASCAR fan and now a really good analyst? Why couch it in such terms as you chose?
There are times, Terrence, where it truly seems you go out of your way to invoke race into a column. It is tiresome.
My honest thought when I first saw Daugherty working a NASCAR event? I thought, “Well, you can’t take the country out of the boy!” He is from North Carolina — same as I am. And NASCAR is very popular in North Carolina.
In short, I found it totally reasonable, normal, and on theme that Brad Daugherty was a NASCAR fan and took his articulate basketball commentating skills to this racing sport.
To me, Terrence, that would have been a better theme for this column. Brad Daugherty is a class man, a great basketball player, and an excellent television analyst. Nope, nothing much there for you to write a positive column on, Terence!
Yeah, right! Furman Bisher could have. And if Bisher had written this column I seriously doubt folks would have even known Daugherty is a black man unless they already knew him. To be honest, Terence, I really wish you’d write your columns in the same neutral manner.
Because the thing about Brad Daugherty isn’t that he’s a black man, but that he’s a good man. Maybe one day you’ll understand what I’m talking about!
By jim
March 9, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this
To all the Terrance Moore haters and critics - GIVE IT A REST PEOPLE. Moore is the best sports writer in town. He actually challenges people to think (novel concept for alot of folks) and to see things from a different perspective. And he does all that while writing about sports. Imagine that. Terrance, please continue to do what you do. There are alot of white people here who “get it” and enjoy your work.
By Navigator
March 9, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
It doesn’t amaze or even surprise me that Daugherty likes auto racing. It also doesn’t surprise me that obstacle writers like Moore continually point out how these “black people” stray from the fold of “black sports”. Isn’t it about time Moore that you just shut up! The fact is that only inner city poor blacks that seldom have a chance to live a typical American life, need basketball, football, or baseball (to a lesser extend) to escape the horror that they grew up in. As more Black Americans move into middle class main stream America, the appeal of sports that emphasize physical capabilities mean less to them. As their kids graduate from college, travel the world, their life moves in directions that in the past was not available to them. Moore, maybe you need to travel the world a bit yourself. You may also find out that there is more to life that basketball, football, and baseball.
By Mr. Obvious
March 9, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this
jim = Terence Moore
By Salad Tosser
March 9, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this
If racists like Terence Moore had their way, the great Jackie Robinson would’ve been on “Soul Train” INSTEAD OF playing baseball.
Mr. Moore can actually make the Klan look reasonably intelligent by comparison, yet he still draws a check from Cox Communications.
By jim
March 9, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this
Uh Mr. Obvious, Thanks for the compliment.
By Bob from Winder
March 9, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this
I am tired of MOORE talking about black people, he is racist. I also dont like MOORE talking about whites people. In fact i just dont like black pople and look to find fault in everything they do. I am a dirty uneducated whitemale and I like it that way
Mr. Moore can actually make the Klan look reasonably intelligent by comparison, yet he still draws a check from Cox Communications.yea the KKK are saints compared to T MOORE and his black ilk. he does not have to burn a cross, he can write an article and offend millions of whites in one fell swoop..he is worse than bin laden or saddam