NASCAR pioneers, college bowls, snook and happy trails!

Team owner Raymond Parks was considered a founder of NASCAR. Neil Thompson wrote a book called "Driving with the Devil" about the history of the sport.

Raymond Parks was at the Streamline Hotel in Daytona Beach for the NASCAR meeting in December 1947. He was a big part of the sport's early development. He paved the way for others to follow him.

The picture with the article was of a redfish, not a snook.

The photo caption in the Dec. 23 fishing report was abbreviated during the print layout phase and appeared to show the world’s only snook that traded its racing stripe for a big spot on its tail.

The college football playoffs are expanding.

Star players don't play in their school's bowl game. Who will pay for tickets to see second-stringers?

When players sign with a college out of high school, it's a form of contract that states they will be prepared to play every game on the schedule.

There were sold-out crowds at the Gator Bowl last week. Many people are unhappy with the current landscape and how things have trended toward chaotic. There are many constituencies to appease. The gambling aspect of the games is not a problem. There will be college bowls forever.

I haven't seen your column lately. Did you retire?

Tim is taking a week off. He sends his best wishes to Peggy Lee. He is humbled. They will keep dancing and drinking. The days of a gold watch are long gone.

Ken Willis is a journalist and author.