It May Be Time..

As much as it kills me to do this I think I have to write this. The Central Texas Speedway situation has been a topic of conversation for several weeks. Whats next, why are in this mess all of that keeps being asked without any direction or real path for movement forward. I seemed to be placed in a spot where I could help keep things alive but the battle seemed nothing but uphill yet I did want to keep hope alive that we may be able to get something to happen although not being the property owner nor someone with amazing resources or financial backing ability part of me knew the writing was on that front stretch wall. Well today I saw some stuff that really leads me to believe that I need to face the fact that we all may need to embrace dirt track auto racing or find another hobby if that is not an option.

That being said I realize I may have called my last race for all of you great Texas asphalt race fans and race teams so I need to give many thanks! First, GOD put me in a position to become a race fan and pointed my dad Ben Rodriguez to take me racing every week as much as he could. Week after week we went to track after track and I studied the best race announcers there were and memorized every word they said and put them in a memory bank to use one day, I could recite what these guys said word by word.. that's even the TV guys that really called races the way they should be called, with passion and love. A Mr. Microphone way back when is how I learned to sound like those guys that did their jobs to the maximum ability. I could never learn how to memorize multiplication but knew every driver's number, hometown, sponsors and vital information from every track we went to growing up when I was a kid. I always wanted to be a race car driver but somehow I always felt a calling to race announcing no matter what happened.

Thankfully Mary Ann Naumann heard me one day messing around at Longhorn Speedway and never forgot that there may be some ability there. Bobby Chaffee and John Molis let an old washed up racer play along in 2008 at Crashfest at Thunderhill Raceway after Mary Ann's blessing and I am forever grateful and blessed for what these folks allowed me to do. Deb Williams gave me every tool I needed to succeed and sound like a pro, the fans jumped on and this has been a great ride in asphalt racing here in Texas. To say that I have worked at Houston Motorsports Park for Graham Baker and John Mandabach along with the Monroe family at CC Speedway is a huge honor and I am forever grateful for all of the following each track operator has allowed me to gain. Tavo Hellmond gave me a shot announce a NASCAR race and that can never be more appreciated. Tim Self brought me aboard to help a transition period that took my announcing career to a new level that made me more of an operations person and ambassador for Texas asphalt racing.
Brian Bohlen and Chris Saathoff gave me a chance to help revive a legend in SA Speedway and that was something I will never forget or under appreciate. So many other great people that have given thumbs up or kind words to the word I have done behind that mic or better yet in the stands each and every one of you are a friend for life I hope you know.

It has always been my goal for any race driver and team no matter entry level or top tier series/class to feel appreciated. All of you are ROCKSTARS  and my goal has been for everyone to know that. I appreciate you all I hope you know.

So many opportunities have come from the generosity and appreciation of all of you, we are all going to keep racing and being race fans but I can tell you that the time we have shared "on the hill" has been my pleasure. Let's all look ahead, I heard something the other day that fits what is happening here. When we drive down the road we have a BIG windshield and a small rear view mirror and that's the idea wherever we all end up keep looking forward.

Most importantly my beautiful wife Tracy that has pushed me to chase this dream. Without her I would have never acted on this journey, she gave me confidence and assurance that I could do this. Our girls Kendall and Chloe and have always understood that dad's "other work" took up so much time.

I always ended a show with.. "I'll see you the next race; If I don't see you then  I'll see you the next time I see you" hope everyone has a great 2017!

Rodney

Super Bowl 51

So what is your plan for Super Sunday? This has become a national holiday friends, the biggest sporting event of the year!
Man the memories of big games and heroes being made in this one game.. Timmy Smith, Larry Brown all those that have had their day. Doug Williams, Joe Willie Namath and all those that had their breakout moment and become household superstars ya gotta love it.

Gone are the days of just the game, now this is a full fledged event. It's not just sports networks its all the media and all eyes of the world are on Houston, Texas.
Here's hoping Matty Ice is up for the stage against Tom Brady and the pesky Pats, hoping for one for the ages other than the Dallas/GB playoff game the post season has sucked.

Get your queso, bbq, dips, beer and good stuff ready!

Happy Super Bowl weekend!

I say Patriots 34 Falcons 20.

RR