Oh Say Can You See...Patrioism in the Press Box?

(Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)

It has often been said NASCAR fans are the most patriotic and reverent fans in the sports world. NASCAR races are also one of the few sporting events I can think of that still televise the pre-race prayer and National Anthem.

But what about the reporters accompanying the NASCAR caravan as it crosses the United States? Do they share the same love of country? Do they rise and remove their hats when the fans do?

I am not trying to insinuate sports reporters are unpatriotic. As someone who does not have a journalism background, and had not been exposed to the hustle and bustle behind a major sporting event, I never considered the question.

But if you are like me, and have found yourself asking this question, I can answer it for you.

They do.

I am lucky enough to work in the infield media center at Texas Motor Speedway whenever NASCAR or the Indy Racing League comes to town.

My first race in the media center was the November 2007 Dickies 500, which Jimmie Johnson won en route to his second NASCAR NEXTEL (now Sprint) Cup Championship.

Before I started working in there, I enjoyed the races from the stands or from my living room. Of course, when you are in the stands, you hear the public address announcer ask everyone to please rise and remove their hats for the pre-race prayer and National Anthem.

I cannot recall ever seeing a race fan not doing so. It is what a patriotic American does.

But it never crossed my mind if the members of the press, nestled away in the media center, preparing to report the event the rest of us were also preparing to take part in the pre-race prayer and National Anthem.

The media center is a busy place, and only gets busier as race time gets closer. Hundreds of reporters, photographers, and other public relations people are running in and out constantly.

Television monitors are tuned to track feeds, network broadcasts, and scoring systems in order to provide constant streams of information.

Full-time track media center employees spend several months preparing for a race that lasts only a few hours, and it seems their workload only increases as it gets closer to the start time.

It may be the most stressful time of their weekend.

For reporters, there are already deadlines to be met, and others have the responsibility of providing updates instantaneously through a Web site or wire service.

I could understand if media center employees and reporters could not take a few moments to stop and show their respect for this country.

When I heard the announcer inform us it was time to stand, I tuned it out. I had things to do, and besides, I was in a building.

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