Semi Interested

Thursday afternoon, the NASCAR haulers were parked along 

Main Street in Speedway, a display of polished chrome,

corporate graphics and pure power. They were so closely parked

that the reflection of one bounced off the flank of its partner,

creating unintended, shimmering images.

 Most people came to see the trucks that hauled their favorite driver's cars,

while children came to see all the big trucks, and some little big boys,

accompanied by their equally enthralled fathers sons, 

came to check out the engines that power these gorgeous beasts.

The Caterpillar engine belongs to a red semi tractor that served 

as the flag bearer for the parade. The lug nuts on its wheels

are matched by some of the same on the engine. Damn.

Work-a-day truck it is not, though it definitely earns its living as a

rolling corporate showpiece, as do all the others.

Most of the extra bits used to customize the vehicles 

I've seen sold in the larger truck stops and supply stores, making

the grids and lights available to any man with the interest

and money to outfit his rig in similar fashion. A lot of the

auxiliary lighting, hidden away in nooks and crannies of vents

and arrayed over the edges of the trailers, is to make the

vehicle more visible at night.

I'd say there's virtually no excuse for ever saying 

"I didn't see it coming," nor for not

hearing its horns.