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NASCAR Memories Are Not Taken For Granted

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By TONY HOLT

Published: February 16, 2008

HUDSON - HUDSON - Whenever a NASCAR celebrity ignited a media blaze, it was Chris Throgmartin's job to put out the flames

He could spend all day telling provocative stories about some of the sport's most famous drivers, but he refuses. He has no desire to burn bridges. His fast-track lifestyle is a fond memory – but distant.

Today's Daytona 500 may be on his television in his RV, but he will not be watching – at least not until the last few laps.

"The main reason why is because I like to remember the sport for what it was," Throgmartin said. "I'm detached now."

He remembered how things were when he first started in the racecar business. Drivers were friendly, down-to-earth good 'ol boys. Today, NASCAR officials monitor their every move, punish them for every little infraction and pile on the pressure week after week during the season.

But after pondering it for a minute or two, he gave another answer to why he will not watch today's race – NASCAR's biggest event of the year.

"It starts stirring a fire," he said. "It makes me want to go back. It makes me want to make a comeback. I know my day is done."

Throgmartin left before he was ready. In 1999, he was diagnosed with myeloid metaplasia, a malignancy of the blood similar to leukemia.

"It all spun out of control from there," he said.

He suffered three strokes – all of which affected his cognitive abilities. To this day, he struggles with his short-term memory. The former pilot and guitar player had to drop his favorite hobbies because his balance and motor skills were damaged.

"I had very bitter moments over it," Throgmartin said, recalling how hard it was to leave his career the first time in 2000. "But then I go sit in my oncologist's office and see people in there who might not make it through the week. That puts it in perspective for me … I've got a good life. I have a lot to fight for."

The former Marine will continue his fight in a few weeks when he begins another round of chemotherapy.

Throgmartin, who spends half the year living in Hudson with his wife, began his career in the motor sports arena on the drag racing circuit. Eventually, he wound up shifting to stock cars before rising up through the ranks at NASCAR.

After that, in 2002, he co-founded the USPRO Cup in his home state of Michigan. The short track circuit was mostly comprised of Midwestern drivers who had large ambitions, but very little money or experience.

At the time, smaller tracks across the country were closing and race teams were leaving the business out of fear of bankruptcy.

"NASCAR was sucking a lot out of the pond," Throgmartin said.

Before long, USPRO created a custom-made racecar with an engine that cost $8,000 to build. By comparison, most stock cars had engines that cost up to $50,000.

Eventually, USPRO became part of the famous American Speed Association (ASA), a "minor league" to NASCAR.

One of the more famous racers who benefited from Throgmartin's creation was Reed Sorenson. He recently finished in the top five in the Budweiser Shootout and will start fifth in today's Sprint Cup race.

Drivers today need to have looks and personality as much as driving talent. Sponsors want someone who is marketable. To Throgmartin, that is one of the downsides to modern NASCAR.

"It's turned into a big pressure cooker," he said. "Numerous drivers told me the only fun they have is behind the wheel.

"All they really want to do is drive a racecar," he continued. "It's unfortunate when you take someone and handcuff their personality."

Some of NASCAR's greatest moments have involved some very public flare-ups.

When the Daytona 500 was first introduced into people's living rooms in 1979 on CBS Sports, Cale Yarborough got into fisticuffs with Bobby and Donnie Allison after he was involved in a crash with the latter during the last lap of the race.

The fight was caught on national television. Coincidentally or not, people's fascination with NASCAR reached new levels year after year.

If a similar situation occurs today, chances are the drivers involved in the melee may not be allowed behind the wheel again for a while.

"Drivers are still human," Throgmartin said. "They still have emotions. I know you can't let drivers beat each other, but I think NASCAR needs to (lighten) up. From a business standpoint, emotions sell tickets. That can create controversy, but it gets attention."

He knew all about handling controversies while in NASCAR. He acted as one of the sport's best troubleshooters. He would be called for advice whenever there was a media storm swirling over a driver because of what he did or said. He instinctively knew just how to quell the storm.

The public relations maestro would not get too specific about the drivers, but he obviously liked and admired Ricky Rudd. He told at least three stories about him.

Throgmartin said he could not afford to play favorites. He had to provide the best counsel and work just as hard for Darryl Waltrip as he did for Bill Elliot.

Each year, a NASCAR official is awarded the Chris Throgmartin Spirit Award or the Christ Throgmartin Never Give Up Award.

"It's all very, very humbling," he said of having awards given away in his name.

Even still, he chooses not to think about. He mostly wants to focus on his family (he has two grown children and one granddaughter in Virginia) and his health.

Even though he will spend most of the Daytona 500 away from the television, and even though most of his memorabilia is tucked away in a garage in Bristol, Tenn., he knows he can be only so detached from NASCAR.

He recalled Rudd telling him, "You can take the guy out of racing, but you can't take racing out of the guy."

"I never took my career for granted," Throgmartin said. "I'm very blessed with the memories and experiences I've got. I can't think of too many bad experiences I've had. I'm very grateful."

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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