Professional Formula D Driver, Joon Woo Maeng, will be bringing out his Lucas Oil Nitto Tire S13 for some exciting drifting action at Adams Motorsports Park tonight. Joon is a dedicated and passionate driver, who has won over the hearts of drift fans since his drifting career began in 2007.

Joon will be giving VIP ride alongs for the Lucas Oil Family, Nitto Tire Family and all his partners who will also be in attendance for some exhilarating drift action Thursday night.

Adams Motorsports Park located in Riverside is the hottest spot for drifting, the fastest growing motorsport.

You can join the party every Thursday night, as hundreds of spectators turn out to watch Lucas Oil Nitto Tire Driver Joon Maeng Drifts At Adams Motorsports Park grassroots drivers drift alongside professional Formula D drivers. If watching isn’t enough for you, you can go for a ride along with any of the drivers, enjoy the live DJ, contests, and great food. You’ve never seen drifting the way it is done at Adams.

“It’s an honor to be involved with Adam’s Motorsports Park and looking forward to seeing you all at AMP! It’s going to be a fun night!! Make sure to stop by our pit area to pick up a photo of the Lucas Oil Nitto Tires S13 card and try out the Lucas Oil Slick Mister / Tire Shine on your vehicles,” commented Joon Maeng.

Enter to win a free ride along in the Lucas Oil Nitto Tire S13! Details are posted on Facebook. com/JoonMaengRacing

By Leland Stein, III –

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar continues to craft himself as a noteworthy proponent of education. Recently he was appointed by Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, with President Barrack Obama’s blessing, global cultural ambassador.

In his new State Department role he will engage young people worldwide.

The Hall of Famer and NBA career-scoring leader will promote the importance of education, social and racial tolerance, cultural understanding and using sports as a means of empowerment.

"It's a great honor and I'm thrilled that they see me as the person that could get this done," Abdul-Jabbar told reporters.

The 64-year-old said he remembers a similar program under President John F. Kennedy where speakers came to his school in Harlem.

"So now I get to follow in the footsteps of one of my heroes," he said. “I remember my hero Louis Armstrong being in this position. Wow, I am elated with this opportunity to continue in my passion for young people and education.” Ann Stock, assistant secretary of state for education and cultural affairs said Abdul-Jabbar will travel the world to engage a generation of young people to help promote diplomacy.

Stock said Tuesday the appointment is part of Clinton's vision of "Smart Power" that combines diplomacy, defense, and development to "bridge the gap in a tense world through young people."

Abdul-Jabbar said he would share his take on life in America adding: "I'll be doing a few basketball clinics, too."

He made his first official trip recently when he traveled to Brazil for a number of events centering on education.

"I look forward to meeting with young people all over the world and discussing ways in which we can strengthen our understanding of one another through education, through sports, and through greater cultural tolerance," he said. “On my first trip to Brazil, it was amazing to talk to young people and share the gift of knowledge that comes with education, not only in books, but life learnings.”

Since his retirement in 1989, Abdul-Jabbar has been involved in projects focused on African-American history and socio-economic justice. His 2011 documentary, "On the Shoulders of Giants," sought to highlight these issues. He has also launched the Skyhook Foundation, which works to improve children's lives through education and sports.

Last year, he received the Lincoln Medal for his commitment to education, understanding, and equality and his contributions that exemplify President Abraham Lincoln's legacy.

His latest book, "What Color Is My World? The Lost History of African-American Inventors," was released earlier this month.

He says Clinton told him: "In Brazil, they would be shocked to find out Black Americans were so much involved inventing so many useful items that we use today.”

“And indeed they were shocked to learn about their history which in fact is very similar to our history," Abdul-Jabbar said after his trip to Brazil. “I am excited and honored to serve my country as a Cultural Ambassador for the U.S. Department of State. The trip to Brazil indeed showed me that this position has merit and can honestly be used for the enhancement of others cultural perspective. I continued to look forward to meeting with young people all over the world and discussing ways in which we can strengthen our understanding of one another through education, through sports, and through greater cultural tolerance.”

Like Muhammad Ali, being a Muslim should only break down even more barriers as he moves in and out of world communities.

The legendary former UCLA star scored 38,387 points during his 20-year NBA career with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers.

Leland Stein can be reached at lelstein3@aol.com and at Twitter at LelandSteinIII

By Leland Stein III –

LOS ANGELES – The National Alliance of African American Athletes (The Alliance) recently hosted its 21st Annual Franklin D. Watkins Memorial Award at a Black Tie Gala at the prestigious Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California.

The Watkins Award honors the premier African-American scholar-athlete and is the most celebrated award of its kind in the United States. In recent years, the Watkins Award selection process implemented by scholars from around the country, have narrowed the field down to the “Elite Five”; however, this year’s collective was so dynamic that the selection committee for the first time implemented an “Elite Six.” After an exhaustive nation-wide selection process that saw the "Elite Six" produce comprehensive essays, letters of recommendation, demonstrated community and school service, official transcripts and documented athletic prowess, the final six was feted in a Heisman like affair.

The Watkins Award is a means for recognizing exceptionally talented African-American male athletes who, by their example, help promote high academic standards and a commitment to community service. But most importantly, destroy the perceived stereotype that African-American males are just athletes, who do not value education.

Brought to Los Angeles, six of the nation's top high school athletes joined the noteworthy fraternity of Watkins Family scholar.

“This group of young men is indeed worthy of this award,” keynote speaker Stephen A. Smith of ESPN said. “They represent everything good about athletes and academics.”

Added Everette Pearsall, Executive Director of The Alliance: "The 2012 Watkins Award features an incredible year of fine student athletes. Each of these young men are well equipped for success academically. We are proud that we are continuing to recognize and honor the premier African-American scholar/athletes.”

This year's “Elite Six” are:

Headed to USC is super lineman Zach Banner from Lakewood, Wash. He has a 3.5 GPA, is a winner of the Distinguished Scholar Award and is a volunteer for Tacoma Sports Association, middle school mentor, Ignite Mentor, US Army All American, and 1st Team USA Today.

The top defensive back in the country and Stanford signee, Alexander Carter, from Ashburn, VA hoist a lofty 4.1 GPA. He is a People to People Student Ambassador, National Youth Leadership Council member, volunteer at Christmas Gifts for Abused Women, volunteer little league coach and reader to elementary school students, and, U.S. Army All-American.

Set to continue his education at Purdue, Jonathan Curry from Phoenex City, AL has earned a 4.0 GPA. He is a member of the National Honor Society, National Society of High School Scholars, Who’s Who among All-American Scholars, a Special Olympics volunteer, and Top 16 ESPN tight end.

Signed with Georgia, Keith Marshall, Raleigh, NC posted an outstanding 4.3 GPA. He is a member of the National Honor Society, volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, Pop Warner assistant, a volunteer to feed the homeless, is the No. 1 rated running back in the nation, State Champion in 100-meter dash, North Carolina Player of the Year, and Under Armour All American.

Headed to Duke, Deion Williams, Long Beach, CA has a 3.7 GPA. He is a member of the National Honors Society, member of the National Leadership Forum, People to People Student Ambassador, member of the Honors Choir, All-State wrestler and one of the top linebackers in the nation.

Set to quarterback Florida State University, James Winston, Birmingham, AL posted an outstanding 4.0 GPA. He is an USA Today Scholar Athlete, academic excellence Honor Roll, Max Prep Sports Scholar Athlete, Hueytown community tutor and youth baseball instructor, rated No. 1 quarterback in the Nation USA Today, baseball All American, and Under Armour All American.

This year’s collective “Elite Six” is exceptional in every sense of the word. All are All-American athletes who continue to dispel the lingering notion that most African-American male student/athletes are not concerned with education, only the playing fields. They all combine scholarship, athleticism, community awareness and volunteerism to form at their young age the character of developing men that are primed to take a place in society as more than just athletes.

Leland Stein can be reached at lelstein3@aol.com and at Twitter at LelandSteinIII

COMMENTARY

By Leland Stein III –

What has happened to civility in this country? Simple respect for your fellow humans has to be the real spirit behind the Constitution, even if you disagree with them . . . right? I think the founding Fathers wanted us to debate and have choices in competitive but civil discourse.

By now I’m sure that most know Boston Bruins' goaltender Tim Thomas elected not to go to the White House recently with his teammates, who were at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. to be honored for their 2011 Stanley Cup championship.

At the White House, President Obama honored the hockey champions for their on-ice effort and for the Boston Bruins Foundation's off the ice charitable work which has donated more than $7 million to charities in New England.

The question is why did Thomas, the winner of the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goaltender in the regular season and the playoff MVP last year give President Obama the cold shoulder, or as they say in the hood, give the Pres “the brush-off?”

Apparently the Bruins star goalie simply could not stand to be in the same room with America’s current President. The Flint, Michigan native back tracked after his rebuff hit the media airwaves, saying it wasn't about "politics or party" and yet he also took the time to slam the government for being "out of control," which sounds kind of political to me.

According to the Boston Herald, Thomas is a big fan of Glenn Beck expressing a secret wish to one day be a guest on his show. He is also a hunter and concerned about Second Amendment issues, has expressed his support for the Tea Party movement by wearing a mask emblazoned with “In God We Trust” on its front, and the Gadsden (“Don’t Tread on Me”) flag on its back panel.

Thomas released a statement via Facebook: “I believe the Federal government has grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties, and Property of the People. This was not about politics or party. This was about a choice I had to make as an INDIVIDUAL.”

It sure sounds like a Thomas Tea Party political rant to me, full of generalizations with hasty scare tactics in the face of evidence to the contrary. Still, I support anyone’s right to free speech and freedom of choice. But what has happened to agreeing to disagree, while still having cordial interaction?

Is it any wonder that this country is so politically fractured when a bunch of guys can't agree to just get together and talk sports? What Thomas did was take a harmless event for and about his team and turned it into an event about himself. It was a selfish act, plain and simple, but more importantly, it was bad manners and a slap in the face to the leader of the free world.

What has happened to civilized conduct, courtesy, politeness or a simple polite act or expression? Wasn’t Obama’s acknowledgement of the Bruins a simple polite act? Shouldn’t a gesture like the President’s be received amicably and harmoniously?

Unfortunately in this reality TV era, civility and courtesy have and are taking a backseat to the antonyms of civility such as discourteousness, impoliteness, incivility, rudeness, surliness, and ungraciousness - all have engrained themselves in the spirit of too many Americans.

Thomas' self described non-political stance, is an unquestionable Tea Party position, and follows suit with the uncivil behavior that has been permeating America’s discourse concerning the Obamas. The socialist rhetoric, Hilter references, being called a liar during his State of the Union Address, reference to his wife’s body parts and on-and-on it goes.

Everyone has the right to voice their opinion, but as Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick noted: “It just feels to me like we’re losing in this country basic courtesy and grace.”

“I didn’t think much of President Bush’s policies – two wars on a credit card, prescription drug benefit that we couldn’t afford, deficit out of control – but I always referred to him as ‘Mr. President.’ I stood when he came in the room,” Patrick said in a segment of “Ask the Governor”.

Leland Stein can be reached at lelstein3@aol.com or at Twitter @ LelandSteinIII