Desoto SUPER Speedway

[Cindy Petty]

To the Staff, Fans, and Drivers of Desoto Super Speedway.....


This is BY far the best track in Florida. The changes we are making, the drivers that are coming back, the fans that are coming back, they all see the change and are all talking positive. We have the BEST staff at Desoto and John is one CLASS act in my books. The DRIVERS are superior and really try to work together as a team and all help each other when needed. Car counts are rising and when things need attention, we all try to give it our all. The pit gate seems to be doing good and feedback is positive. Thank you all for taking the chance on letting us show you we can make it better. It only GETS better from here.

Was so nice to see familar faces back at the track last night. I hope you will visit often and notice the changes that we are trying to do to help you ...the driver....
we WILL listen!!!

What a great bunch of fans we have too. Week after week i see new faces and we all greet them with warm welcomes.
There is so much more good going to come your way.
Thank you all for a fabulous night.

Cindy Petty

[Round D' Round Racer]

Hey CINDY Hows That Bus Thing?

Havent heard you say anything about the Free Bus since 6-9-8 when you said the following:
"Was real nice meeting you on Saturday. Will have all the info for you soon. Like we talked about...........and will post here for everyone to see."
Thanks again
Cindy
I have people in St. Pete that are interested in that free ride deal but it seems like its a big secret (or perhaps something that never really occurred).
How bout keeping your word and posting the info for everyone to see (Like you said you would). Such a great track would be upfront on all levels HUH.
Thanks

Round D' Round Racer
So. Ga

[Rick Williamson]

Is she talking about the same John we all know and love?

[gar352]

What a bunch of bs that is!!!!!

[Frasson118]

What a load...!

That place needs more help than just a "kiss-the-boss'-ass" letter.

Give me a break.

[ovalracer44]

Kinda like saying "Old Milwaukee, it dont get no better than this".

Just because its on the commercial doesnt mean its true.

[Edm]

The first thing I thought of was that it sounds a lot like one of these presidential campaign adds that we are all to familiar with on tv.

[Round D' Round Racer]

and "HERE's THE REST OF THE STORY"

Someone just told me that a certain person (?) used to be involved with another track and is trying very hard to "Undercut" the old track by "Pumping Up" the new track. (And its backfiring real bad)
John and Camille should regulate who makes statements regarding their track because it appears "Bad Blood" is behind some of these statements.
- Loose lips sink ships -
JMO

Round D' Round Racer
So. Ga

[JackTripper]

I guess any track that is crazy enough to let me drive my street car on the track to help dry it is a-ok by me. All the staff in the pits were super friendly to me, but I never did get to meet John.

[Gary J]

I'm glad you got to attend. What do you think about the Jessica Murphy and Starpoli incident? the 97 dumped the 07 of Chisolm when he was leading ,got put to the rear.Later he turned Murphy, they both got sent to the rear. Later in the event my friend said she slammed Starpoli under yellow tearing up his car really good. Thanks DSS for having FASCAR races.

[JackTripper]

Jessica Murphy? Tearing up another racer's equipment? Unsportsmanlike driving? Surely not!

Maybe she'll get another fake suspension from FASCAR!

[Osmosis Jones]

With all due respect to Paul Harvey....

.....you ain't even close to the rest of the story.

I'd be careful about whose "loose lips" I was quoting on here, Rounder....most times they're attached to teeth that bite ya right in the back when ya turn around. Usually when someone's willing to talk dirt about someone else, it's because their own floor needs some sweeping. I think I read that in a Joe Gibbs book somewhere.....YAHOOOOO!!

That said...

I don't know who Cindy Petty is. She seems like a nice enough person on the board, though. Do I agree with her point of view on the current state of affairs at Desoto?

Nope. Because while I usually enjoy watching cheerleaders, the logic behind them still baffles me.

But it would appear that she is in charge of attempting an internet makeover for John's oft-time volatile personality. I would liken it to a defense attorney who, even though he knows his client is guilty as sin, has to defend his actions to an unbelieving jury. The jury in this metaphor being the KARNAC faithful and a lot of the racers themselves. I say a lot because there are some at DSP who do indeed like John and Camille (not Carmen) and the way they run their track. I would be lying if I said that weren't true. But I have also talked with many of them who don't.

Maybe this really is unsponsored support of DSP on Cindy's part. I'm skeptical about that, though, as she IS an employee and it does seem like certain others are also jumping on this grass roots-styled, "think positive thoughts" campaign as a way to return the track to something they remember as good times. If only it were that simple to solve the enigma that has become Desoto Speedway.
Click your heels together three times, fly aound in a tornado and land back in 1984. (offing the wicked witch...er...warlock in the process, of course)

As always though, the harsh reality of truth brings every midsummer's daydream to a screetching halt. The problems faced by DSP and a lot of other tracks can't be wished away or swept under the rug by holding hands and chanting "We're positive thinkers!". That may look good (or in this case, pathetic) on a message board but out where the rubber meets the road it don't mean squat. Real problems need real solutions that have to start at the top and spread themselves down and out. In keeping up with the metaphors, the DSP apple doesn't need polishing....it needs it's seeds to be replanted so something new can grow.

Sound drastic? Not at all....more to come later.......

[carolwicks]

Not a good way to say goodbye to Patrick. ;-( & about DSS posts!!!

we all wish you a safe journey to Cambridge, Mass. Patrick. you will love it. for those who don't know, Patrick was accepted at H~A~R~V~A~R~D !!!
as for the posts above... we all know about how everyone feels about the problems at DSS. if they are working hard to make changes for the better than for crying out loud... SUPPORT it... IF DSS were to follow USA it would suck! Even if you dont like John, look at all the people who believe in the track and are trying to help... it isnt fair to discourage them! i hope DSS will return to the thriving great race track it was... you dont wish bad luck on people. you wish they would change for the better. its alot more productive and humane.
a TRUE race fan would do anything possible to save any race track. as for John... well maybe this gathering of supporters is just what he needed to get him back on "Track"... stop with the doom and gloom.... it wont help racing. as for myself. i find it extremely embarrassing knowing the rest of America read some of the posts on this board about racing in florida. they must think we are morons !yell at me if you want. i am entitled to voice my opinion. ive had many many awesome nights of racing at DSS and there are plenty of good things going on in florida that we can BRAG about!!! one thing is next week at CCMP where you can come to see UDLMCS... dirt lates on asphalt.. i think over 30 of them! YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...
carolwicks aka OZ

in response to OJ about Cindy Petty... ive known her for a long time from CCMP... in all fairness to her she does not need prodding by anyone. she is genuinely happy at DSS and gets along great with John and Camille. Cindy has always been supportive of the track she is involved with and she does it because she is happy. Why insult a person who loves what they do and isnt afraid to be up front and say it. cheerleaders try to inspire their team to get motivated and play a good game. it isnt the cheerleaders fault if they lose. ;-) i wasnt happy about the bus thing but i will not toss her under the bus for believing in what she is trying to do. everyone b&^%$ed about USA closing... want another one to close? i sure hope not!

ok... fire away...

[Gary J]

Well said Carol! they need to advertise and promote in Pinellas county better,maybe fliers and promotions.try to get former fans from Sunshine to go.

[Boneman]

Hey Osmo,
I can't explain why, but I am feeling positive today too. Maybe it is catching.

I'm gonna take the side of King John on this one, and encourage you to give it a chance. Laugh at me if you want to, but attitudes can change sometimes, especially in tough circumstances. It is no secret that the track is struggling, but if they think a better attitude will help them to rebuild, then I invite them to go for it and show us the new deal.

Think people can't change? Consider Richard Childress; who at one time was a struggling independent driver. When he changed his own management style and goals, he put himself on a path that led to the success of racing giant RCR.

Don't worry, I'll be much more cynical by the end of the week. But for today, I wish them well and hope they can restore the program at DSS.