The Hoosier Race Report: The Night Before Christmas

By Danny Burton

Danny Burton’s Hoosier Race Report appears courtesy of OpenWheelRacers.com

‘Twas the night before Christmas
At the race track
I hollered at Landon
Hey, it’s time to go back!

Mr. Hoover has said
There will be a special guest
You’ll love this surprise
It will be among your best

He will drive a race car
Like you never saw
You’ll love it my boy
Well, you and Jerry Shaw

We walked through the pits
My grandson and me
Over 100 race cars
As far as we could see

Landon tugged on my sleeve
To show me number 5
Grandpa, he said
That’s the fastest car alive!

Well, yes, my boy
Who isn’t quite seven
And who must have come here
Straight down from heaven
Why do you say that?
My precious young lad
Grandpa, the driver’s name
Is the same as my dad’s!

I had quite a chuckle
As we walked to the 5
Landon told Kevin Briscoe
That he had arrived

Kevin picked up the boy
And sat him in the seat
Grandpa! I love this
It’s way too neat!

We thanked Mr. B.
And went to our seats
Landon told all the guys
Of his latest treat

Come feature time
We all were ready
The cars lined up
Even Rodney’s Rock Steady

We all stood up
Even those who were older
Landon had a view
From atop Aero’s shoulders

They circled the track
At a very slow pace
The crowd waved their hats
It was almost time to race

On Darland! On Briscoe!
And on Levi Jones!
On Christian! On Sciscoe!
The noise warmed my bones

Then out of the pits
Was one more car
Landon hollered
Hey, is that Grandpa Marv?

We’d never, ever seen
A car like that
Painted red and white
And a driver who was… fat

The car drove to the front
And waved at us all
We all waved back
The crowd was enthralled

The red flag waved
The race cars did stop
Then the new car
Spun like a top!

When it stopped spinning
The driver got out
The crowd went wild
As the driver began to shout

“Before we race tonight
I’ve something to say
It won’t take long
And I’ll be on my way

I wish you all the best
Drivers and fans too
But remember what matters
Yes, you too, Andrew

It’s Christmas time
As if you didn’t know
And it’s more than just
Racing and mistletoe

So racers, race hard
Race fast and race clean
And when the checkered flags waves
You’ll know what I mean

With that he was done
As he smiled and he winked
Landon was dumbfounded
He didn’t know what to think

Grandpa he said
As he tugged Aero’s ears
I really love Christmas
As he gave a loud cheer

Santa hopped into his car
And drove right away
As fast as he was
He needed no sleigh

Drivers and fans all watched
As Santa took flight
He said, “Merry Christmas!
And to all a good night!”

Emptying the coal out of my stocking… with my foot still in it, I’m…

Danny Burton

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