Words have escaped my fingers and my thoughts refused to cohesively join together to make any sense of the events of the past couple of months for me. The stunning, inexplicably lame "Earnhardt Report" on August 21st left me shaking my head and remembering the childhood story of the 'Emperor's Clothes'. Who's fooling who? Mind you, I know what has been reported is all true and scientifically factual, but all I can see is the "powers that be" have danced all around the root of the problem. Perhaps, they've changed so much they don't know where it might have started. There is a point though before Death began riding shotgun with the drivers. I imagine they are praying they're not going to deal with any more tragedy before next season when I'm sure subtle but specific changes will be made in the chassis'.

Blame shifting has had far-reaching effects and exacted a painful toll. Like a pebble plunked into the middle of a serene body of water, the ripples just keep traveling wider and wider around the point of disruption, continually distorting the big picture. Responsibility for the sports future has been squarely placed on the shoulders of the drivers and anyone else who chooses to question the "benevolent dictatorship". Rightfully indignant and justifiably concerned, the drivers who spoke out for safety improvements have become the new ambassadors of the sport since the report. Fans are realizing if the sport is to survive this season, they must look the other way, too and pray.

In the midst of all this, the "Attack on America" on September 11th occurs, and too many unanswerable questions shake the foundation of our country. With a whole new heartache for the thousands who've lost someone in this disaster, I've found myself waiting for the "other shoe to drop" on both the racing front and our country. On our nation's front, we are in good, strong hands and I trust we will deal with the terrorists as they deserve. On the racing front, I'm not so sure we aren't without more heartache on the way. Wake-up calls are harsh.

While we must return to "normal", we can't seem to find "normal". The racing season started out all wrong with Dale Earnhardt's death and a seatbelt controversy that has had multiple consequences over the whole sport. The "Earnhardt Report" was 323 pgs long and full of more information than anyone ever wanted to know about Dale's death. Written like a lawyers brief, it practically had to be deciphered to be understood. With all this "studying" going on, we now have new people in new positions within the sport to study and advise on safety issues. Seems more to me like studying the potential for death in the sport. Leaks to the press in advance proved NASCAR was playing with the media and fans. The obvious power appears vindictive and ugly, instead of protective and honest.

However, the issue of safety isn't leaving the sport alone. In recent weeks, more drivers have been seriously injured and nearly every race has seen the heart stopping accidents that "don't look so bad" but are sending drivers to the hospital with residual injuries. Mike Skinner suffered a damaging hit that has him getting surgery taken care of and rehab in preparation for the next season and a new team. Jeremy Mayfield felt "lucky" and I'm sure a bit blessed after he learned his seatbelt tore at Dover. The Jaws of Life made another appearance at the innaugural race of Kansas for Dale Jarrett, sending him to the hospital. Wake-up calls are cruel.

In all the studies and indepth examination of the sport, there is light in the midst of the darkness. The Humpy Bumper shines brightly with it's unique design doing what metal does best on a stock car: protecting it's driver and functioning to improve racing. Based on utilizing the metal and creating a structure to absorb and reduce the impact of these accidents, the Humpy Bumper is a no-brainer. How many more wake-up calls are needed before NASCAR submits to the idea? I'm praying for none!