If you ain’t first, you’re last!  Hard to believe but, yes it has been 15 years since we first heard the most talented NASCAR driver (next to Jeff Gordon) ever utter these words.  Happy 15th anniversary Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.

On August 4, 2006, the world was introduced to Ricky Bobby.  A simple man with very few things on his mind besides wanting to go fast and winning at all costs.  Always wanting to win the approval of his transient dad Ricky just wanted to be the best.  He grew up and lived by the phrase “If you ain’t first, you’re last.”  Eventually, Ricky made his way into NASCAR as a jack-man.  Then on one faithful Sunday Ricky was given his chance to go fast thanks to a lazy driver who just wanted to eat a chicken sandwich.

Of course, you know what happens next.  Ricky Bobby stuns the NASCAR world and eventually becomes the biggest name in the sport.  He has it all.  The smokin’ hot wife, Carly, the big house, two kids, and, of course, his lifelong best friend Cal Naughton, Jr.  Life was good.  Until this fancy pants, French dude shows up and throws a wrench into Ricky’s perfect life.

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After a broken arm, severe crash, a “fire”, and an unfortunate betrayal by his wife and best friend, Ricky hits rock bottom.  He ends up living with his mom again and resorts to delivering pizzas on a bike to make ends meet.  Lucky for him, Ricky’s dad, Reese, finally comes back into his life and helps him to quote, “Get his balls back”.

Where the story goes from here, you’ll need to figure that out yourself.  It would be a very good idea if you went home this evening and watched Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.  It is currently on Netflix and worth the time to watch.  Even if you have seen it before, watch it again.  Shake and bake, baby!

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