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6/24/08
So I had the amazing privilege to meet and see Tyler Walker race this weekend in the 37th Annual Jim Raper Memorial Dirt Cup. It’s great to see Tyler back on the west coast in a sprint car. Although I knew dirt cup was going to be a star studded field, With drivers coming from a variety of different racing back grounds, I knew it was going to be a great show, I made the early prediction that Tyler would be in victory lane at the conclusion of Saturday, if not for an incident with a lap car, I still feel that would have been true, He was the only one that could run with Barnes.Congrats to Jayme on becoming the 1st local to win since 1992. Pulling into Skagit Speedway and see that green and white #24 was a great feeling thinking “He’s Back”. I know people can say this and that about Tyler’s past, so let them, I heard remarks just sitting in the stands, oh he is an ex-NASCAR driver he got kicked out for substance abuse. You hear certain people saying things like that, But honestly there are probably people in your local grandstands that have done things that are much worse, But they just aren’t in the public eye, I know a lot of people ask how could you throw something that good away??. Everyone has their own opinion on the situation. But that was then, this is now. NASCAR made a decision and it affected Tyler but it may have been a blessing in disguise, Because Tyler is doing wonderful things for himself .Your only as good as the people you surround yourself with. I think Tyler has surrounded himself with a good group of people; he is back in Los Angeles, CA close to his family, friends and girlfriend. He has an awesome crew and an owner that obviously believes in him and his abilities. You see teams like KHI implementing drug testing which is a good thing for the sport, But you have to think why hasn’t NASCAR looked into more efficient ways of drug testing? There are some many Drivers, Crew members and officials that they would have to tested. NASCAR has so many others things going on, that’s not top priority for them. There has been several drivers that have been banned from NASCAR for the same sort of thing, Some have a lifetime ban, and others and just an indefinite with possibility of getting back into the sport at a later date and time if they so chose too. I know when Tyler failed his substance test and was banned from NASCAR he had this to say."I want to say sorry to all of the NASCAR fans whom won't ever see me there again. I love dirt and am glad to be back on it." And we are glad to have him back.
It was great to have the chance to meet and talk to Tyler @ dirt cup. I have watched him race before, but I have never gotten the chance to introduce myself and just take a few minutes to get to know him. I wish him the absolute best in whatever it is he ends up doing. I would imagine his ultimate goal right now would be able to land the a sponsor and be able to get back on the road with the greatest show on dirt. Tyler is an outlaw caliber driver and should be running with the outlaws night in and night out as well TK. Hopefully he will get that chance in the near future. You never know TSR has a 2 car team, Maybe longtime friend Kasey Kahne will consider running another 410 car and putting Walker in. Whatever Tyler does I’m sure he will have fun doing it, because that’s the type of person he seems to be. If Tyler can’t win the race you know he is going to wear out the place trying to. I encourage every one that if Tyler is at your local track go up and just spend a few minutes to get to know the young man. I just wanted to write something in my own view about getting the chance to finally meet Tyler.
Tyler is sitting 2nd in the Golden State Challenge point standings back -51 points of Chico's, CA Jonathan Allard they GSC will be in action again this Saturday from Thunder bowl in Tulare, CA
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