Success on track aided by great parenting

For the past two weeks I've been in Northern California visiting a unique spa and workout center.

Consider it a handyman's version of a dude ranch but without any dudes or livestock, unless you count a cat and dog as wildlife.

It's my annual summer trek to be with my niece and her family. While working around their house, I sneak peaks of Avery, 10, and Peri, who will be 8 in a few weeks.

Each day the house plays out like "Groundhog Day" -- clean in the morning, a mess by night, then clean again.

There's nothing like being with family, and that's why I haven't missed much about not being in Las Vegas. But I regret not being at Las Vegas Motor Speedway's Bullring two weeks ago when David Anderson won his first Super Late Models stock car race.

A memorable night, for sure, and one that any parent would appreciate.

(It's ironic the Anderson's racing team is sponsored by Jagged Edge Day Spa & Salon, while my spa experience has included getting cut by jagged pieces of wood on 50-year-old cabinets as part of this year's kitchen remodeling project.)

But had it not been for time with my Gould family in Walnut Creek, Calif., I wouldn't have appreciated the degree of joy that parents Steve and Jane Anderson felt when their 27-year-old son drove into the winner's circle after his Aug. 15 victory.

David joins his father as winners this year in the Bullring's premier NASCAR All-American Series division. The old man was a nationally accomplished sports car racer before downshifting to become a hobby racer several years ago.

Jane also has a long resume as a publicist for major racing teams and series.

They are a nice family that has kept racing in its proper perspective. A decade back the Andersons might have wondered if David one day might become a millionaire racer, but it wasn't their priority.

Instead, the 1999 Green Valley High School product headed to UNLV and graduated with a degree in business management before beginning a career as a cost coordinator for Tutor-Perini Construction, where he has been working on the City Center project.

Anyway, juggling construction budgets these days in Las Vegas is a lot more challenging than maneuvering through traffic on the three-eighths-mile Bullring oval.

The Andersons, like all racers, get frustrated at times with local track politics, hotheaded drivers and competing against a few cheaters.

But the Andersons don't let those issues distract from enjoying family time at the Bullring -- win or lose. It's quality time. That's what matters to them, as it should to all racing families.

My great niece and great nephew won't be race-car drivers if I have any say in it. They call me "Nervous Nellie" because I nag about riding bikes or scooters down their quiet street.

Imagine if they were strapped into a quarter-midget or go-kart. Sounds like a nightmare to me.

They like singing, acting, playing soccer and swimming. They probably won't make it to Broadway, win an Oscar or be in the Olympics.

They're like nearly every other young race-car driver who never will compete in a televised race or win much more than enough to buy tires.

And that is OK.

What I learn each summer during limited family time is how difficult and demanding it is to be good parents.

I've settled into my role as a great uncle, or, I hope, at least a good one.

I'll leave great parenting to others, like the Andersons.

And I'll continue to be envious.

Jeff Wolf's motor sports column is published Friday. He can be reached at jwolf@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0247. Visit Wolf's motor sports blog at lvrj.com/blogs/heavypedal/ throughout the week.