Patio umbrellas form an integral part of any patio setting which helps enhance the style and functionality of your outdoor living space. You can choose from a variety of outdoor umbrellas in terms of style, design and materials to upgrade your patio in style. It is important that the material used for making the frame and canopy of your umbrella is durable enough to be able to withstand the natural elements. The outdoor umbrella is supposed to protect the furniture from sun and moisture and weather-resistance plays an important role in doing the same effectively.

The size and shape of umbrella should be chosen in keeping with your space and design requirements. If you have a comparatively larger patio setting, it can be useful to look for market umbrellas which meet your individual requirements well enough. You can choose from a variety of umbrellas in terms of the material used for making them. Wooden frame umbrellas, for instance are known for their combination of style and durability. They are also a cost-effective option. Aluminum frame umbrellas are still more durable and affordable as well.

Fiberglass umbrellas are known for their durability and flexibility which allows them to withstand windy conditions effectively. The only drawback is that it is rather expensive as compared to most of the other options in terms of patio umbrellas. You can also make use of stylish shade sails made from Coolaroo fabric as an alternative to conventional outdoor umbrellas. To create a personalized look and feel you can add on umbrella lights and accessories along with stylish umbrella stands. If you are willing to make a little extra effort, you can also make your own personalized umbrella stand to accentuate the style and design of your patio umbrella.

Apart from patio umbrellas, it is important to choose your patio heater carefully to ensure complete comfort for your guests. In winter evenings, there is nothing like spending time with family and friends in the warmth of your patio. However, in order to optimize the experience in terms of comfort and relaxation, it is important to choose the right size and type of patio heater. If you have a large patio, it would be useful to pick an outdoor patio heater big enough to serve your needs in an effective manner. One might choose from among portable and fixed patio heaters in keeping with individual requirements and preferences.

You can use a number of online resources to your advantage when looking for the right kind of patio heater. You can easily find most of the standard options in terms of patio heaters as listed on the websites of dealers. You can browse comprehensive catalogs of patio heaters and compare their features with a click of the mouse to be able to make the right choice. It is important to look for the best bargain and look for lower prices for similar products on various websites. Once you make up your mind, simply place an online order and the product would be delivered right at your doorstep.

Market is flooded with specially manufactured Infrared dynamics and Fostoria electric heaters. They have gained popularity due to their perfect functioning and stylish designs. These patio heaters are well built, portable and most importantly reasonably priced too. Don’t forget to ask for well trained and experienced heater installers to assist you in the installation of heaters while you buy them. Usually propane electric and gas heaters are sold with the user manual which is helpful in installation and use of particular type of heater.

However, if you are looking to save on harmful emissions, you can opt for electric heaters or gas heaters with advantage instead of going along with propane patio heaters. There are a number of factors which may also merit your consideration apart from choice of fuel. For instance, just like a patio umbrella is supposed to protect your patio teak furniture, the finishing of your patio heater should be able to protect it from exposure to sun and moisture. This can help maintain the looks and desired level of functionality of your patio heater.

Teak patio furniture is best for bringing in a sense of natural feel to your patio which can be complemented by choosing a compatible finishing for your patio heater. You can also add a water fountain for that added sense of serenity and calmness which can help create a very relaxing atmosphere. Alternatively, you can add vibrant lighting and other patio accessories to create more of an energetic and dynamic feel depending on how exactly you plan to use your patio.

Kenny Leichester is a foremost expert in the interior design industry specializing in the outdoor or patio settings using outdoor patio furniture, patio heater, outdoor cushions, patio lighting and so on to create exquisitely beautiful layout. His work on patio umbrellas designs and so on are widely distributed and is a regular contributor to PatioShoppers.com.

You can make the most of your outdoor living space by creating a theme look. It requires you to make use patio items and accessories in an artistic manner which can add to the aesthetic appeal of your patio. Choose everything from patio furniture to outdoor umbrellas and outdoor cushions in keeping with the theme but there are no set guidelines to go about the same. It is here that you can use your creativity and innovative approach to develop a stylish patio.

Speaking of patio accessories, outdoor cushions play a key role in creating the right kind of feel in your patio. Apart from enhancing comfort levels, the functionality of your patio is also substantially improved. What you need to do is find out every bit of information about patio cushions to make the right choice for your patio. In terms of style, design, artistic appeal, consistency of fabric, its durability and other aspects, there are virtually countless factors affecting your choice in the matter. You need to be a little innovative in accessorizing your patio.

Outdoor cushions come in all sizes and some can be prepared by special order as well. You may have Hi-back and low-back patio chair cushions for your special outdoor furniture sets. Likewise seat and chaise lounge cushions are another typical option to keep backyards well maintained. These cushions offer excellent atmosphere with their matching color schemes. They make your furniture sets more comfortable. Some outdoor cushions are also designed for benches or low walls. Your guests can comfortably seat there. Keep some toss pillows on the outdoor cushions to further enhance their beauty.

Apart from other patio items you must not forget buying a quality patio heater for proper outdoor heating. However, you need not necessarily make a mechanical choice of outdoor heater and can easily look for compatible style and designs to complement your patio. In terms of fuels, you can choose among propane patio heaters, wood burning patio heaters, electric heaters and gas heaters. Not only do they come with different looks and feel but can also serve as an addition to your theme look. For instance, if you are looking to create an eco-friendly theme look in your patio, you can choose electric or gas heaters which would save you on emissions.

There are countless heater manufacturers who specially focus on outdoor heating equipments these days and explore newer or advanced techniques for this purpose. Out of the many perfectly designed outdoor heating appliances available you can buy gas patio heaters, quartz or ceramic electric lamps and wood burning chimenea or fire pits which keeps your outdoor patio warm and you find best opportunity to explore nature in its true senses. Outdoor heating is made possible through some sort of radiant heating or the other. Advanced technology is used in the making of heating items. These heaters come for both indoors and outdoors but some are exclusive for anyone of them.

The size of patio heater is another important consideration in making the most intelligent and useful choice. If you have a large patio heater, a larger patio heater would be an obvious choice for the same in order to ensure proper heating. However, you must find out exactly how large a patio heater you might need as based on the size of your patio and the number of people it is supposed to accommodate. In a small patio heater you can use an average-sized patio heater to keep your guests warm enough. If you are using patio wicker sets, make sure that the finish of your patio heater complements it in style.

The choice of furniture can be based on a completely different set of criteria as compared to most of the other accessories. It serves almost as the cornerstone of your patio setting which sets the tone for your patio in terms of style, elegance and comfort. This is why it is of vital importance to make the perfect choice of patio furniture to make your patio a haven of fun and relaxation. If you can spend a little more, teak patio furniture can adorn your patio in style and add to the comfort level immensely.

You can also choose from among a variety of patio furniture which might serve your purpose well enough. Instead of simply going along with conventional choices of patio furniture, you can choose to be a little experimental in your choice. Customization is also very helpful in creating a novel look and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your patio. However, the element of functionality must also be kept in mind to make the most of your outdoor living space.

Kenny Leichester is a foremost expert in the interior design industry specializing in the outdoor or patio settings using outdoor patio furniture, patio umbrellas, outdoor cushions, patio heaters, patio lighting and so on to create exquisitely beautiful layout. His work on outdoor patio furniture cushions designs and so on are widely distributed and is a regular contributor to PatioShoppers.com.

After a summer of heated negotiations, the Portland Trailblazers have signed All Star shooting guard Brandon Roy to a five year contract extension. Roy will be in the final year of his rookie contract in the 2009-2010 NBA season, and locking up the services of their ‘franchise player’ was the teams top summer priority.

Some suggest that the emergence of Roy actually saved the Portland NBA franchise. After a run during the late 1980s behind Clyde Drexler and Terry Porter, the team went a long way toward alienating their passionate fan base. They had a competitive team at times, but Blazer management was tone deaf to the desire of the community to have a franchise that they could be proud of off the court as well as on it. Instead, the Blazers pulled together a roster consisting of character challenged reprobates that earned the moniker JailBlazers for their frequent legal transgressions.

With the Blazers fans staying away from the arena in droves, team owner Paul Allen had finally had enough. In the late 1990’s, he gutted the franchise management and cleaned house. The new management was given the charge to put together a roster that would not only win games, but win back the Rose City fans. The acquisition of Roy will likely be looked at as the turning point for this effort. The Blazers acquired Roy on draft day 2006 for Randy Foye, and would go on to win the NBAs rookie of the year award.

The Blazers”who were 21-61 the year before Roy arrived”posted a 54-28 record last season. Roy has become the centerpiece of a talented young team had has not only become a force in the NBAs Western Conference but has gone a long way to winning back the Portland fan base.

The first four years of Roy’s 5 year $84 million deal are guaranteed, while the fifth is at the players option. Roys agent Bob Myers strongly suggested that Roy wanted to remain with the Blazers for his entire career, noting that he “is one of the unique players to have a chance to have that sort of relationship with one team.”

The team will now turn its attention to signing a long term deal with forward LaMarcus Aldridge. Like Roy, Aldridge is in the final year of his rookie contract and a key component to the teams recent success. At last report, talks between the two sides are progressing.

Ross Everett is a freelance sports writer and respected authority on soccer betting. His writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sports news and sportsbook directory sites. He lives in Northern Nevada with three Jack Russell Terriers and an emu. He is currently working on an autobiography of former interior secretary James Watt.

The UFC is of borderline relevance in “The Land of the Rising Sun”. This isn’t to disparage the UFC, which has done a great job growing MMA in North America and parts of Europe. It’s an effort to put Dana White’s claims of Zuffa’s inevitable worldwide dominance into perspective.

Here are the three essential qualities for doing business in Japan, along with an analysis of what they mean to Zuffa’s efforts to build the UFC brand there:

Group Orientation/Collaboration: Japanese businessmen are notorious for sublimating their individual talents and personalities to the greater good of the group. Furthermore, Japanese business places a great emphasis on teamwork and collaboration. For US businesses seeking to enter the market, a certain degree of partnership with existing Japanese firms is almost de rigueur. MMA fans can see the biggest problem Zuffa may face from a mile away–their reticence to enter into co-promotional agreements. While their public disdain for co-promotion was a major sticking point in their negotiations with Fedor Emelianenko, it may very well be a case that they didn’t want to do business with M-1 Global. To a certain extent, its difficult to blame them. On the other hand, the UFC worked with Germany’s largest concert promoter (MLK) to enter that market with a fair degree of success. They’d be well advised to seek some sort of a partnership similar to their German initiative to help smooth their way into the Japanese market.

Hierarchy: Japanese culture, including business, is almost ridiculously hierarchical. The societal reverence for age, experience and accomplishment in Japan is well known, and that’s often a difficult concept for American companies and businessmen to grasp. US businesses love mavericks and Horatio Alger stories. That accounts for much of the business medias fascination with Dana White and they’re quick to celebrate how a former aerobics instructor is now the most powerful man in MMA and the driving force of a billion dollar company. That storyline doesn’t play as well in Japan, however. One approach would be for White to take a back seat in UFC efforts to promote in Japan in favor of Zuffa co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta and perhaps the widely respected former Nevada Athletic Commission director Marc Ratner.

Respect: Even among seedy elements like fight promoters–and even the underworld–respect in business dealings is essential in Japan. In a typical Japanese business deal, the first few meetings aren’t intended for any substantive decision making to take place. Instead, they’re used for evaluation of your professionalism or, as the Japanese like to put it, to determine your suitability for conducting business with. Considering that Dana Whites first introduction to the PRIDE staff and to the Japanese fight public was a press conference where he made the statement–more in reference to the proposed bouts between UFC and PRIDE fighters than anything else–”We’re going to kick your ass.” At that moment, PRIDE as a promotion died. The people that worked for PRIDE had no interest in helping White profit from the promotion. More significantly, he became little more than a clown to the Japanese public–like “Money From Government Grants” shill Mathew Lesko without the funny suit. To succeed in Japan, the UFC must realize that they’re not considered a major fight promotion in that country. They must understand that they’ve got to win over a skeptical public, but before that they have to win over a skeptical Japanese business community.

Dana White’s fanciful stories about corrupt promoters and Yakzua gangsters out of Quentin Tarantino movies might amuse his sycophants in the MMA media, but countless US companies including fight promotions have done business successfully and profitably in Japan. The UFC might be able to convince the clueless US media that they’re making progress in Japan due to a deal on a low profile TV network or, more recently a big ad campaign on a Japanese social networking site, but they’re currently spinning their wheels and going nowhere. The only way that Zuffa will be able to become a factor in the worlds #2 MMA market is to do what every other company has done to be successful there–learn how to understand the Japanese approach to doing business, and play by their rules.

Ross Everett is a widely published freelance sports writer and respected authority on World Cup betting. His writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sportsbooks and sportsbook directory sites. He lives in Southern Nevada with three Jack Russell Terriers and a kangaroo. He is currently working on an autobiography of former interior secretary James Watt.

The bad news for the Baltimore Ravens in their 2009 NFL regular season opener was that their vaunted defense gave up 24 points despite holding a decided advantage in every other statistical category. The good news was that their offense was more than up to the task, answering with 38 points and a franchise record 501 yards. All told, the Ravens opened their season on a winning note beating the Kansas City Chiefs 38-24.

NFL sports betting devotees who took the +13 points with the Chiefs as a road underdog were hard luck losers as the Ravens managed to cover the pointspread by a single point. The win evened Baltimore’s ATS record over the past three seasons at 18-18, while the Chiefs fell to 14-19 in the same timeframe. The 62 combined points scored easily exceeded the posted total of 37. Despite Baltimore’s reputation as a defensive powerhouse they’ve shown a decided bias to the OVER in recent years, with 22 OVER verdicts in their last 35 games.

Afterwards, Joe Flacco was clearly elated at his solid passing performance:

“It’s awesome. It’s so much fun. As a quarterback, that’s what you want to do.”

Ravens coach John Harbaugh expressed confidence in his quarterbacks ability to make plays:

“We’re going to throw more if it helps us win games. I think that we will be capable of throwing the ball more ways than we did last year. We have really good players that can make plays.”

Chiefs backup quarterback Brodie Croyle played relatively well in a losing cause. Filling in for the injured Matt Cassel, Croyle put up 177 yards on 16 of 24 passing and 2 touchdowns with no interceptions. Still, he was in no mood to talk about his personal accomplishments in the wake of the loss:

“Play well, don’t play well — if you don’t win, you still have the same feeling and that’s where I’m at.”

In his post game comments, Chiefs coach Todd Haley gave credit to his quarterback and the Baltimore offense:

“I thought Brodie Croyle gave us a chance to win today and that’s all I’ll ever ask my quarterback to do. I got to give credit to Baltimore. They were a throwing machine today. They threw the ball probably a lot more than we anticipated.”

The Ravens now head cross country to take on the San Diego Chargers in southern California next Sunday. After that theyll return home the following week to take on the Cleveland Browns. Kansas City will host the Oakland Raiders next Sunday before heading to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles the following week.

Ross Everett is a freelance sports writer and respected authority on sports betting odds comparison. He writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sports news and World Cup betting sites. He lives in Las Vegas with three Jack Russell Terriers and an emu. He is currently working on an autobiography of former interior secretary James Watt.

Many people are sick to death of the escalating cost of electricity, but they do not know what they can do about it. They have switched lights off; they have not turned lights on; they have unplugged devices on stand-by and they have turned the central heating down and the air con up and it has only saved them pennies. Yet still the electricity bills go up on a regular basis. It is very frustrating.

We have all heard of alternative and sustainable sources of energy, but the question is: how can ordinary people instigate these technologies into their own homes? One phone call to a professional solar power installation company will convince anyone that solar power is only for the wealthy.

Likewise with wind power generation. A single device, which may or may not satisfy the electrical needs of one standard household will cost in the region of $45,000 and it is thought that, if it meets expectations, that it will pay for itself in ten years time. $45,000 is too much money for most people, but having to wait ten years to realize that investment is too long for most individuals too.

So, at first glance, it looks like the average person is at the mercy of the oil companies and the electricity generators. However, it does not have to be like that. There are other ways of tackling the problem and extricating yourself from the control of energy providers. The first method would be to buy the solar power units and install them yourself. That would save you a lot, perhaps up to 50%. But you could go a step further and make the solar panels yourself as well, which would save you a great deal more money.

The fact is that the more of your own labour that you can put into the project, the more you will save, because the labour constituent in any task usually amounts to about 50% of the costs. We all know how expensive it is to call a plumber in to fix a leaking pipe or a roofer to replace a slate. $100 for a slate? $100 for a dribble of solder? No, it is the tradesman’s time and the same is true of solar panel fitters.

The way out is to learn how to make the solar power units and install them yourself. It is not difficult. Any teenager can learn how to do it and so can you. Take it from me, learning how to assemble and install solar panels is not difficult. Just try it and see for yourself. You will amaze yourself and your friends. You may even turn it into a business!

The thing to do is get a reliable kit or a plan from a trusted source. This could be a neighborhood hardware or hobbyist store or from a specialist website on the Internet. Once you have your design, you can buy the pieces of equipment. They are commonplace and on hand in most DIY shops. Then it will take you about a day to make a solar panel that will provide about 100 watts.

This may not seem like much, but it will run many kinds of small machines or two standard light bulbs. The trick is to keep adding to your bank of solar panels until you are entirely free of the electricity grid or even selling electricity back into it.

Owen Jones, the writer of this article, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with a favourite subject, renewable energy advantages. If you are interested in Sustainable Energy At Home, please click through to our site.

The Kansas City Chiefs have had an awful preseason, primarily due to their inability to put points on the board. St. Louis scored an offensive touchdown late in the first half and used a third quarter interception return for a score to beat Kansas City 17-9. The Chiefs finished the NFL preseason with a winless 0-4 record, while St. Louis posted a 3-1 mark.

NFL preseason betting aficionados who took a flyer on the Rams were rewarded by their outright victory in the pickem game. Kansas City also finished 0-4 against the spread, while St. Louis finished 3-1 to the number.

The only offense that the Chiefs were able to generate came off the foot of placekicker Ryan Succop who converted three field goals. Despite his teams continued offensive struggles, Haley tried to put a positive spin on the situation:

“I made a few mistakes out there but overall it felt good. Obviously, there were a couple of plays I would like to have back. After I got the feel a little bit, I didn’t feel too out of sync with the game and what was going on. I thought our defense gave us a chance to win. Running the football is something we can feel good about.”

The Chiefs moved the ball well, generating 406 yards of total offense but had trouble converting in the red zone. They also turned the ball over three times, the most costly a third quarter interception thrown by reserve QB Tyler Thigpen and returned for a touchdown. Afterwards, the Rams Quincy Butler suggested that his team has a new mindset:

“Every time the ball’s in the air, we all think ‘It’s my ball. We all go and get it.”

The Rams have 12 takeaways in the 2009 preseason under new head coach Steve Spagnuolo after finishing with only 1 in the 2008 preseason. Spagnuolo was generally pleased with his teams effort in the victory:

“It was good to get those guys back in the swing. Now we’ve just got to get Marc (Bulger) cranked up.”

Bulger has missed most of the preseason with a broken pinkie but is expected to start in the Rams regular season opener. Spagnuolo wasnt too concerned about all of the yardage his team gave up:

“The silver lining is the defense held them and got them to kick a field goal. So there’s some good and bad always.”

St. Louis will open their regular season against the Seattle Seahawks. The Chiefs will also open the NFL 2009 campaign on the road, heading to Baltimore to take on the Ravens. The Rams will remain on the road for week #2, playing at Washington while the Chiefs will host the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium.

Ross Everett is a widely published widely published freelance sports writer and respected authority on World Cup betting. His writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sportsbooks and sportsbook directory sites. He lives in Las Vegas with three Jack Russell Terriers and an emu. He is currently working on an autobiography of former energy secretary Donald Hodell.

categories: NFL football,NFL,pro football,football,sports,recreation,marketing

LaDanian Tomlinson is still not fully recovered from a sprained right ankle, and as a result hell miss his second consecutive NFL regular season game this Sunday as the Chargers host the Miami Dolphins. Tomlinson was hurt in the San Diego Chargers season opening victory over the Oakland Raiders and didn’t play last week.

After playing in eight consecutive regular season games last year, the superstar running back has missed three of the Chargers last four games including the Chargers AFC playoff loss to the eventual Superbowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

Tomlinson refused comment when asked about his injury:

“I don’t have a comment about it. It is what it is.”

Until his recent bouts with injury, Tomlinson had been one of the most durable running backs in the league. Prior to last season, the only start hed missed in his career was the season finale in 2004 when then-coach Marty Schottenheimer rested Tomlinson and other starters in advance of the NFL playoffs.

While Tomlinson himself was tight lipped, his coach Norv Turner spoke about his injury:

“It’s hard because you’d like to have all your guys. It’s crazy, because on Sept. 1, when people were asking me what I thought about camp, I said it was great that we were healthy and had all our guys, because that’s something we haven’t had in a while.

“I think we’re doing the right thing with L.T. Obviously he couldn’t play this week, you know, but he’s getting better and hopefully he’ll be able to go next week. if not, he’ll be ready to go when the bye’s over.”

The Chargers also have a half dozen players listed as questionable due to flu like symptoms. Turner spoke about their prognosis:

“I think we’re beyond the guys who had it. I obviously have a concern that they’re not too drained, but I think we have a couple days to get them back. My concern is what’s going to pop up tomorrow morning or Sunday morning because obviously it’s going through the building.”

Darren Sproles started in LTs place last week, and has performed well this season. Hes not as powerful a back as Tomlinson, but is a heady player who uses his speed and elusiveness to pick up yardage.

The Chargers are a -6 home favorite against the Miami Dolphins this Sunday, with the total set at 44. The first half line on the game is San Diego -3 with the total set at 21. San Diego will travel to the Steel City of Pittsburgh next Sunday to face the Superbowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers, and then enjoy a much needed bye week.

Ross Everett is a experienced freelance writer who covers travel, casino gambling and college football handicapping. He is a consulting handicapper for Anatta Sports where he is responsible for providing daily free picks. In his spare time he enjoys fine dining, flower arranging and deep sea diving. He lives in Las Vegas with four dogs and a pet coyote.

In most of the homes, tap water comes from well water or municipal water supply. You might think that this water is pure for drinking purpose but in actual it is not like that. This water is tested to contain coliform bacteria, parasite cysts, sediment particles and list of other pollutants. If these pollutants are present in your drinking water then it makes the drinking water unsafe for drinking. Therefore, make a habit of filtering water before drinking it or using it for cooking food etc.

Water filters come in a variety of types and styles to address different types of tap water issues. There are faucet mounted water filters, undersink water filters, counter top water filters, reverse-osmosis water filters, activated carbon water filters and whole house water filters. What you choose to purchase depends on the results of your water tests and your specific household needs.

Faucet mounted water filters can be conveniently installed and do not require much space in your kitchen. They are considered to be very effective in reducing the chlorine level, sediment and rust from water. Its installation is quite simple and is not very expensive. You can purchase this water filter by spending $20-$70.

Whole house water filter serves for whole house. This water filter can easily take out rust, sedimentary particles and chlorine from the water coming into your house. Using this water filter you are not able to remove impurities like metals, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), parasite cysts and coliform bacteria out of water.

You need to hire a plumber for installing this water filter in your house as its installation is quite complicated. You need to install it along the main water supply line of your house. This water filter will cost you between $40 to $1000 (small one between $50 and $100).

Reverse-Osmosis water filters can effectively clean water and eliminates most of the pollutant present in water to make it safe for drinking. Most of the impurities present in water such as arsenic, cysts, heavy metals, rust, Chlorine, Sodium and dissolved solids are removed by use of this filter. Installation of this filter is not easy and requires a plumber for the same. For obtaining this type of water filter, you need to spend $200-$600 which is quite high as compared to other water filters present in market.

Undersink water filters can easily remove rust and sediment present in the water supply. These water filters also solves the taste and odor issues of the water. Their size is quite big to be installed inside the kitchen. You can get this water filter in $30 to $400.

Hence, examine your water before purchasing a water filter to find out the impurities present in it and choose one that can easily remove all those impurities.

Scott Rodgers is a noted writer who has been providing great guidance on plumbing works all across the nation. His expensive knowledge has, in fact, sparked significant rise in revenue for talented plumbers across the nation, from Covina Plumbers to La Canada Flintridge Plumbers .

The Darlington Raceway in upstate South Carolina is considered one of NASCAR’s most challenging tracks. It’s shaped like an egg and has earned the moniker ‘the track too tough to tame’. That applied to everyone except David Pearson, who won 10 races and took 12 poles at Darlington. These records will likely never be challenged, let alone broken. Pearson’s ability to get around the track was almost instinctive. In fact, he made it look easy.

David Pearson was born three days before Christmas’34 in a tough textile town near the North Carolina/South Carolina border called Whitney. His parents both worked in the local mill and did their best to provide. David quit school after the 10th grade and also worked in the mill. He was soon drawn away by his love of fast cars. He bought his own car and began racing at short tracks in the area. He ran his first race in’52 in Woodruff, South Carolina and won his first championship at the old Greenville/Pickens Speedway in’59.

Pearson never sought out stock car racing immortality, but some of his friends had other ideas. They began raising money to buy a car to race in the NASCAR Grand National series (the forerunner to today’s Sprint Cup). With a patchwork of financial backing, David began racing a limited schedule on the Grand National circuit and was named the’60 rookie of the year. In’61, he became the first driver in history to win on 3 of the 4 superspeedways in the same season (Charlotte, Atlanta, Daytona). This attracted sponsors, and before he knew it he was a top NASCAR driver winning Grand National titles in’66,’68 and’69.

The’70s saw Pearson cut back his schedule somewhat, focusing on superspeedways. In’72, he started driving for the Wood Brothers in the #21 car that he was to make a legend. In’73, he won 11 races in’ starts”an incredible feat even by today’s standards. Through the end of the’70s, Pearson won 43 races. In addition to his mastery of Darlingon, he posted remarkable numbers all over the circuit. He is one of two men to have won more than 100 races, and his 105 is second only to The King Richard Petty’s 200 wins. Hes also second on career poles (113) to Petty. Head to head, however, he has a slight edge over NASCARs legendary King: in races where he and Petty finished 1-2, Pearson won 33 to Petty’s 30. His 11 consecutive poles at Charlotte is a feat that will likely never be matched. Another record that may never be broken is his’.29% winning percentage, as well as his record of starting from the pole in 20% of the races he ran.

In March, 2000, SC Highway 221 through Spartanburg County was renamed David Pearson Boulevard in his honor. He lives in Spartanburg to this day. Pearson still takes to the track occasionally–he and current NASCAR driver Carl Edwards were the first to race on the newly repaved Darlington Raceway last Spring. And he’s still known as ‘The Silver Fox’, a nickname given to him for his prematurely gray hair.

Ross Everett is a consulting staff handicapper for Sports-1 Sportsbook and an expert on World Cup soccer betting. He has written extensively on sports betting, drag racing, travel, and falconry. He lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with three dogs and a pair of racing wombats.

categories: NASCAR,auto racing,sports,recreation,entertainment,hobbies,marketing