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Howdy Race Fans!!!

So do you have this all figured out yet?? Are you reading the Marc Times, or the Michigan Racing Scene??? Is this some kind of joke?? Are you surprised??? Well if you’re having trouble reading this, turn it upside down and it may become easier. In the meantime I'll attempt to explain a couple things to you, and give you a small overview of this guy named Patrick McNamara that has taken over the "print" department of the racing coverage we enjoy here in our area.

To all the people that were Marc Times subscribers ... SURPRISE!!! It's back. February 22, 2009, we lost one of the great racing icons in Michigan, the inventor, publisher, and editor of the Marc Times, Dick Beebe. It still hasn't totally sunk in! One thing Dick did before his passing was to work with Patrick to resurrect the Marc Times Racing News. You’re now checking out the end result.

To all the people that were Michigan Racing Scene subscribers ... yes, this IS the MRS!!! Different huh?? It's no secret that the last couple years have seen that Terry Fitzwater, the originator of the Michigan Racing Scene, was attempting to juggle many different items at the same time. Terry relocated last season, and the paper suffered. I know I fielded some of the complaints that surfaced, and things weren't always as smooth as they need to be. Terry felt he had to do something, and Patrick gave him an avenue to keep his vision of this paper alive, yet be able to go on with his personal agenda.

This created a unique opportunity for Patrick to venture into an idea of his own, which the end result is in your hands as I speak (not literally); the consolidation of the two most successful racing newspapers in the Michigan area. The MARC Times Racing News & Michigan Racing Scene.

So just who the hell is this Patrick McNamara guy? Well, I guess I just may be one of the few people that have watched the growth of his racing resume. I can easily say that I have announced more of his races than any other announcer. I am the only one to interview him in Victory Lane after a Feature win. I have had some great interaction with Patrick, and some, not so great. In my attempt here to try and shine a little light on the subject of "Who is Patrick?” I have three things that you need to know before every starting a conversation with him.

1. NEVER, EVER call him Pat.
2. NEVER, EVER hand him a bottle of water when he is excited.
3. Always remember he is a media savvy, journalistic driven man.

Some of you will read those 3 "Mac Rules", and know exactly what I am talking about. But for those of you that don't, I'll explain.

1) As an announcer, you will introduce a lot of brand new drivers to your audience. Sometimes you'll get the chance to talk to these rookies before they get on the track, and sometimes you don't. Most of the time, when you get a list of names of drivers from the scorer, they have the persons full name. Now, most of the time, you will call a Michael, Mike; Steven, Steve; Matthew, Matt; etc ... and in this case, a Patrick, Pat. This is how I met Patrick McNamara. I called him Pat!!! Little did I know it at the time, but I had committed one of the most deadly McNamara sins!!! As Patrick in a very matter of fact, yet professional manner let me know, in no uncertain terms, that his name was Patrick, NOT PAT!!!! I have to be honest, when this first happened, I thought, geez-oh-Pete, what a prima-donna!! Then I thought about how much I dislike being called Edward, or Eddie (other than by my boss and Grandma) and I decided that maybe he felt the same way, so, I have never called him Pat since, and for your safety, I suggest you do the same.

2) Patrick is a very excitable gentleman that doesn't do things half hearted. It is usually full force, and with a full head of steam. Just look at what he has taken on with this newspaper as an example. His Community Racing Challenge is another example of his demeanor. Patrick fell deeply in love with local short track racing. As a matter of fact, the only things in life he loves more would be his beautiful wife, Shawnee, and the rest of his Family. So now imagine how Patrick felt when he won his first Feature race. He was ecstatic and on cloud nine. Any driver that has had the divine pleasure of winning a Feature race knows how that first one feels. You never forget it. Well, Patrick celebrated in such a way that not only will he never forget, but nor will I. In the heat of the summer, on one of those hot muggy nights, I try and remember to have a bottle of ice cold water for the driver that has just won the Feature when I go down to interview them. It gets hot in those cars, and it's just a little something to try and help them out, and show a little class. But I never saw this coming. As Patrick was giddy with happiness, while he jumped around the front stretch of Springport Speedway, winning his first ever feature, I make my way over to him, talking to the crowd, I hand him the cold, cold bottle of water, and I am just about to say......"His first ever Feature win"......I feel this unbelievably cold sensation rush over my head and shoulders, and my eyes about shoot out of my head like some Looney Tunes cartoon, I realize that I have been doused with that bottle of water that I handed him. I am drenched!!! I am NOT happy with him. While a driver can climb back in the car and head to the pits, I must march back up into the grandstands, and make my way up the stairs back to the tower, soaked. I look like I have pee’d my pants upside down. While time has helped heal that wound, I have NOT forgotten. Oh revenge shall be mine … someday, Mr. McNamara, revenge shall be mine!!!

3) As hard as Patrick fell in love with local auto racing, his true calling and background falls in the Journalism category. Patrick has a very special talent for what I like to call, for lack of a better word, sensationalism. Now I do not mean that in a negative way either. Any good writer knows how to do that, and one needs to be good at it in able to catch the public's attention. I didn't realize this about Patrick at first, but I learned as I got to know him better. Again, being honest, my first taste of this did not set well with me, but as I have grown to know more about him, I realize that it is a very special trait that he has. It can be used for good, or evil, and it's apparent that good is what he truly seeks. You see, Patrick is an opinionated person. He has a take or a view on almost every topic, whether it is sports, politics, fashion, or even what's the best brand of disposable diapers, Patrick will tell you what he thinks. But the endearing part of him is this, even though he has an opinion, and he may totally disagree with you, and your beliefs, he does NOT hold it against you, nor should you with him. He may disagree on the issue, but not on the individual. He does not hold an opinion you have against you. As an example; Patrick is a non-smoker, and disagrees with every aspect of smoking in public. Yet, I have watched Patrick sit down with someone who is smoking a cigarette at the time, and he never mentions a word about it. He does NOT force his beliefs, and opinions upon you. As much as I knew that smoke was bothering him, he never once made any kind of motion, or sarcastic statement, to show he may be offended. He will disagree with an issue, but will totally respect the person. I hope this gives you all just a little insight on Patrick McNamara.

So as you look through the pages here, and check out all the changes, don't be afraid to contact Patrick and let him know what you’re feeling about this. He wants this paper to succeed, as I think we all do. We NEED this paper. We WANT this paper. And he needs to know what you think about it, to keep you happy. Patrick listens. In the short time he has been in this sport, he has taken on a huge responsibility to try and keep these two newspapers alive, in a day and age that some of the biggest newspaper agencies are falling to the wayside all across our Country. I think we need to try and stand beside him here and give him as much support as possible. Could you imagine what it would be like to not have the Michigan Racing Scene?? I'm sure those who were Marc Times subscribers know exactly what I am talking about.

Thanks Patrick for taking this on, and keeping these papers alive!!!

That's the word from The "IN" Crowd!!!!