From ASA Champion in South Africa to ESPN...in England
It's a laugh some days, how life works. Who knew, a year ago - that my racing life would be taking as many twists and turns as the road course at Watkins Glen in the US! Myself and my family are blessed right now to be surrounded by wonderful people and fantastic support - friends, family & colleagues.
Tonight is the ESPN UK broadcast of the American Speed Association's Freestate 500 back on January 31st, in Welkom, Freestate, South Africa. Kudos to Kevin, Dennis & the hardworking team at the ASA in garnering so many broadcasts around the world of this event, that 100M potential viewers may watch this race. Racing is truly global - and this Englishman is pretty happy about that!
Being the ASA Freestate 500 Champion has helped my momentum this month, quite a bit. I recently did the SkySports broadcast of the Daytona 500 (hopefully next year they'll have to cover me while I'm on the track!), and I've been invited to the BBC Morning Show in the next week. My Facebook "fan page" has grown, as well as Twitter followers, and I'm humbled - not one to talk about myself, it's nice to know that I have support for my renewed US racing career. My run training is moving along - up to an hour on the road. My Virgin Money Giving account for the Rhys Daniels Trust is almost finished, so look for donation page very soon.
I'll be in Charlotte next week, speaking with a variety of people on NASCAR racing - not much I can divulge at this point, but it's coming and coming fast..."positive karma," as my PR staff says! They're right - if you keep putting positive action in place every day, you will reap the rewards. So for those 100M viewers across the world that might take in an inspirational race this week, I am truly excited for the possibilities.
A podium that held the most diverse top 3 ever in motorsports. A field of drivers that represented the full world of motorsports (and the possibility that anyone who WANTS to drive, does have the tools & resources to make it happen, with hard work - much like Johann Spies of South Africa). The first time an Englishman has ever taken a checkered flag in American-style stock car racing.
That gives me chills. Thank you to the ASA for truly breeding "world champions" at the Freestate 500. May it be the start of many, many stories to come from several of those drivers - I cannot wait to see them in 2011, when I defend my title as ASA Freestate 500 World Champion! I will buy a swift half for everyone! Cheers, JM