This morning the Charlotte Motor Speedway announced that they will host a "burnout-off" between NASCAR's Jimmie Johnson and NHRA Top Fuel champ Tony Schumacher. It's on Sept. 11, but its it for Sept. 11?
That was my first thought when the Speedway sent us a news release this morning titled "Sept. 11 burnout." It's a tire-smoking contest between Johnson, in his No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet, and Schumacher, in his his 330-mph U.S. Army dragster.
Basically, it should look awesome, and it's meant to promote the fact that Charlotte is the only track that will have a "playoff event" in both the NHRA Mello Yello and Sprint Cup series.
But was this amazing display of American-ness also scheduled tomorrow as a kind of 9/11 memorial? Maybe, maybe not. After we passed the 10th anniversary of the attacks, last year's ceremonies were decidedly more low-key than in previous years. Could this sort of thing be acceptable now?
I'm not sure. Honestly though, I'm okay with such a brazen, finger-in-the-air display on the 9/11 anniversary. Even if it's not intentional, it's still kind of great. As long as our tires keep spinning, the terrorists didn't win. Or something.