RaceBud

By day, I’m a children’s book author, realtor, spouse, and parent. But, I have a secret even my family doesn‘t know. In the wee hours of the morning, when everyone’s asleep, I log onto my Infield Parking space and become…(drum roll)…“Saidhead60”…the rabid supporter of my favorite NASCAR driver, Boris Said.“Why,” you may ask, “Would a busy professional waste valuable time, updating a fan page for a driver most people feel has no chance of winning a NASCAR race?”

For the same reason I still get chills every time Rocky Balboa wins the fight, lifts his bloody boxing gloves into the air, and yells, “YO, ADRIAN – I DID IT!” Simply said, I believe in the underdog and all the exhilarating possibilities that come with being one.

Call me crazy, but there’s something inspiring about an independent, under-funded race-car driver who’s too tall, too old and too quirky for NASCAR – holding his own against Cup‘s richest, youngest, and finest.

Against all odds, Boris Said is doing what people said he’d never do. And every time he’s on a NASCAR track, I get a little thrill. There’s a chance, no matter how slim, he could cause a major upset. It adds up to a much more exciting race, in my opinion.

I always think of underdogs as “fearless”. And how ironic that the cartoon “Underdog” used the slogan, “Have NO FEAR – Underdog is here.” Boris is often sponsored by the energy drink Sobe No Fear (http://www.sobenofear.com) – coincidence?

Instead of waiting for things to happen – underdogs, like Boris, channel all their energy and enthusiasm into making them happen. Despite being told early on that he had no talent, Boris refused to give up or back down. He once said in an interview, “From 1988, there have been a lot of times when you say, ‘It’s not going to happen.’ It gets frustrating. But I’m going to do it no matter how many people say no. I’m going to control my destiny.” In other words, he’s relentless. I like that in a guy.

But what about other Said Heads? Why are they dedicated to a NASCAR underdog? I went right to two of the very first, better known, original Said Heads – Andrew Schlesinger and Justin Ryszkiewicz, to get their take. “To be honest with you, we were sick and tired of hearing all the Winston Cup (Nextel) regulars complain about racing road courses. The Said Heads noticed that Boris was always willing to hop into any car, no matter how inferior the equipment, and put on a great show.”

In my experience, when anyone has to work hard for something (I‘m talking REALLY, TRULY, claw-your-way-up-from-nothing-to-the-top work hard) – that person doesn’t take anything for granted. And where NASCAR is concerned, Boris Said hasn’t been handed anything on a silver fender. For that reason, he always seems genuinely appreciative of every, single opportunity thrown his way – no matter how small or imperfect it may be.

And, while I don’t know Boris Said personally, his public persona comes across as refreshingly honest and straightforward without being nasty. He is self-confident without even a hint of arrogance. And he’s both respectful and respected.

All this leads to the one, final, most personal reason I’ll forever be a Said Head.

I’m a parent. And, all the ideals I’ve instilled in my son – everything from being himself, believing in himself, rising to success through sheer determination, and following his dreams and his heart – are personified in Boris Said. He’s one of our country’s great, real-life underdogs.

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