NASCAR Hall of Famer Tim Flock and friend, Jocko Flocko

CONCORD – Well, here we go. Most of the attention around Charlotte Motor Speedway this week has dealt with Bruton Smith and his WBTV interview in which he indicated there was a 70% chance he would move the fall CMS race to Las Vegas, but really, we need to talk racin’ and no one can do that like Adrian Parker.

Adrian has parlayed his legendary South Rowan football status, Catawba College years, and public relations mojo for some of the sport’s top stars and for Charlotte Motor Speedway into a lucrtive career as the business manager and apparent good luck charm for Matt Kenseth.

In spite of it all, he still labors for hours every week to bring you Parker’s Points!

HATS OFF TO ALL-STAR KING Jimmie Johnson, who won a record-setting fourth All-Star Race last Saturday at Charlotte Motor Speedway, breaking a tie with Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon. (Editor’s note: only Richard Petty can be referred to as “King.”)

He’s won under

Yeah, that’s Adrian

Bailee’s energy is endless.

The two year old Gastonia girl keeps going and going. But all that spunk has to be contained to her home.

That means no parks, no restaurants, no grocery stores and no birthday parties.

“When Bailee gets invited to a birthday we have to decline the invitation because it’s not safe for her and you try telling a two year old she can’t have a cupcake,” said Bailee’s mom Julie.

“It’s very heartbreaking.”

At six months old Bailee was diagnosed with a severe allergy to all tree nuts.

And it’s not just food. It’s anything with a trace of nuts, lotion, shampoo even phones.

Baliee’s mom lives in constant fear.

“We do keep Bailee in a bubble basically,” said Julie.

“Just walking outside she can kind of cross something and come in contact with an acorn. We’ve had reactions to acorns.”

KANNAPOLIS - On Monday, May 27, Rowan and Cabarrus County veterans, families, friends and patriots across the region are invited to attend the Memorial Day dedication and reopening of Veterans Park in downtown Kannapolis.

Ceremonies begin at 11:30 a.m. with the Parade of Veterans, followed by the dedication program at noon. Highlights of the program include lighting of the Memorial’s eternal flame; presentation by Rep. Richard Hudson of the flag flown over the U.S. Capital Building in Washington, DC; and more.

Over 1,700 Cabarrus and Rowan County veterans who have died in service have been honored with engraved names on the granite Ring of Honor surrounding the Memorial’s eternal flame. Kannapolis History Associates researched veteran records from the Revolutionary War to present to compile a comprehensive list of names for engraving.

Brick pathways connecting the eternal flame and Ring of Honor to Memorial Plaza at the corner of W. First St. and N. Main St.