My 18 year old son, Joshua, has begun college this past week. While a part of me is still reeling at the thought that I am old enough to have a child entering higher education, there is another part that is enjoying watching his world open up, and seeing how he makes his choices laid before him.

In a similar way, NASCAR is no longer in its infancy. It has grown beyond being a weekend diversion for a small group of good ol’ boys to a multi-million dollar sport with stars that are recognized nationally. This spurt in popularity has been accompanied with its own set of growing pains, and as with anything that involves change, it has its supporters and detractors. A segment pines for ‘the good old days’, another group loves the balance of past and present, and others long for international recognition and races held beyond our country’s borders.

So far, NASCAR has stayed pretty clear of some of the more sensational headlines that accompany stars from other sports that have included performance-enhancing drugs and physical assaults. Yes, there have been drivers that have failed drug tests. But as far as scandals go, the current Evernham vs. Mayfield debacle is about as juicy as this sport has gotten. Pretty weak stuff compared to headlines about rape or hate crimes.

I followed along as NASCAR stumbled through allowing beer but not hard liquor sponsorship. I cringed with sorrow and pain at how the death of a legend brought about change for the better. I have cheered for NASCAR’s unashamed love of patriotic and spiritual undertones in its opening ceremonies. I deeply appreciate the sports’ willingness to support and be compassionate with people with disabilities and handicaps of all sorts.

Just as I am standing by observing how my freshman-in-college son is handling all of his new opportunities and the down-sides of becoming an adult, I am watching to see how the sport that I love will manage to get through the inevitable rites of passage that are coming as well.

What will NASCAR do when someone complains about the name of Jesus being uttered during the invocations? What will happen when there is an extremely talented, exciting, articulate, and openly gay person who wants to be a driver?

There are many adult issues that NASCAR hasn’t had to deal with yet, but it is inevitable that one day it will. And I will wrestle and wrangle with the decisions that will be made, just as I am doing with my son as he finds his way in the world.