Subscribe to this blog's feed« Gordon ties Dale Earnhardt with 76 wins | Main | Stewart Slams NASCAR - Wow! »
April 23, 2007
Who do you respect?
With all the talk of who we don't like lately, I decided to touch on a different topic, one not touched on much.
Which current NASCAR driver do you respect the most? And what has he done on the track/off the track to get that respect?
My choice would probably be Jeff Burton. On the track he will race hard, but will not wreck someone out for a win. Some may think that's a bad thing, but you're not really going to gain the respect of the other drivers or their fans if you just punt them out of your way to win. Off the track, I don't ever remember hearing him bad mouth anyone. Not to say he hasn't gotten angry at other drivers, but I don't remember hearing him slam anyone.
Your thoughts?
April 23, 2007 in NASCAR | Permalink
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d83451bce769e200d8341fad8153ef
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Who do you respect?:
Comments
Jeff and Ward Burton, Tony Stewart, Ken Schrader, Kyle Petty, Matt Kennseth.
Posted by: John | Apr 25, 2007 8:14:54 PM
I respect several drivers (Burton, JR, Kennseth, Petty, etc) But one driver who gets little respect but deserves alot is Jimmie Johnson. Jimmie is a great racer and a great person as well. Among his charitable acts are: Jimmie Johnson Foundation, USO, Red Cross, Make a Wish, and many others. Jimmie also does a great job of not letting the Nascar fans negative opinions get to him. That takes courage and a strong mental psyche.
Posted by: NC Expat in Hong Kong | Apr 25, 2007 6:22:25 AM
I would have to say Kyle Petty. Kyle can go out on the track on Sunday and run thirty something all day long and he doesent get mad and refuse interviews and throw stuff and act like a 12 year old. He takes his money and goes back home and Helps does more for children than probably Bill Gates and he has nowhere near that kind of money.
Posted by: another joe | Apr 25, 2007 1:51:55 AM
i wonder what dale sr. thinks about nascar and it s rules, and the slaps on the wrist for getting out of line and racing.
Posted by: mac | Apr 24, 2007 10:02:47 PM
Robby Gordon-A driver that a workin man can relate with.
Posted by: Chuck | Apr 24, 2007 6:53:19 PM
Kathy I agree with you, Jeff Burton is a class guy and a real driver model for the sport. He presents himself as a professional and doen't wear sunglases during his TV interviews. Why can't most of these drivers get some cuth and leave the glasses off during and interivew. Most are clueless.
Posted by: Greg | Apr 24, 2007 4:37:57 PM
I've thought about it a lot and when it comes to whom I have the MOST respect for it would have to be the late Benny Parsons. I can't help but to really respect a guy who had as much success as he did, became the legend he was while being the driver that seemingly everybody liked. That kind thing is very hard to do in this sport. So, he gets my vote.
Posted by: Bill | Apr 24, 2007 2:17:07 PM
I think we all have to admit that most drivers in NASCAR are a pretty classy group, compared to some other sports/leagues are a pretty decent group of guys and down to earth people!! You know you can put a driver at a mall signing autographs and they aren’t going to tell some lil kid to f-off, like some NBA or NFL players might do!!
It’s one of the reasons NASCAR is so popular.....didn’t the Bengal’s/NFL have more guys arrested last season than in what 20 years of NASCAR racing ….wasn’t it enough players arrested to play the jail football team in the movie. “the longest yard???
Posted by: Aggie | Apr 24, 2007 12:35:42 PM
I agree that Jeff Burton is the class of the field. However, how about a new guy? We are told rookies must earn respect, I think Denny Hamlin has earned a ton of respect in just over a year. He knows how to "give and take" and thats more than I can say for some other young guns.
Posted by: Alltel_fan | Apr 24, 2007 11:18:02 AM
Sterling Marlin-Always a class act, great with the fans, always stays positive and he is old school.
Dale Jr has earned my respect. He handles himself with the class of the drivers "Back in the Day"
Posted by: pirateskigirl | Apr 24, 2007 9:04:52 AM
Robby,hardest worker..
Ward Burton,Good Driver..Great Person
Posted by: Tammie | Apr 24, 2007 8:55:20 AM
The person who works the hardest in order to live his dream......ROBBY GORDON
Posted by: Chris | Apr 24, 2007 8:18:19 AM
Robby Gordon, toughest racer out there,doesn't always get the best results,but he never says quit..I admire that..
Posted by: Kelly | Apr 24, 2007 8:14:18 AM
I agree with Charles and Kurt,,ROBBY GORDON works harder than anyone I have ever seen just to get to race on Sunday,and he is a master at off-road..Its amazing what he has done with his small Nascar team. He runing with the big boys and holding his own!!!!!
Posted by: lynn | Apr 24, 2007 8:08:59 AM
Tony Stewart and the Busch brothers are the drivers I respect the most. Their stupid antics keep me in stitches from race to race. Tony is a man of his word! I remember last year when he said that if the 20 team didn't make it into the chase the driver deserved to be fired. So when they didn't make it...uh, oh nevermind. So many examples of Tony deserving respect come to mind. His classy reaction to finishing second in Phoenix is sure to be topped in the next few weeks. I can't wait to see what he says and does next! Kurt Busch needs to start picking it up, his little brother is making him look like a slacker.
Posted by: ron | Apr 24, 2007 1:47:26 AM
I respect most of the NASCAR community for their generosity to those in need and because they work so hard to provide us with entertainment.
A few drivers stand out for various reasons but for pure unadulterated joy of racing Ken Schrader, Tony Stewart and Robby Gordon stand out. There is no quit in any of them when it comes to wheeling some kind of race vehicle.
Posted by: Barb G | Apr 23, 2007 11:34:53 PM
DonB,
I agree with you, I would like to see Ken Schrader sign with a top team to how that he can actually drive.
Posted by: Jon | Apr 23, 2007 9:13:35 PM
Ken Schrader, he will drive anything anywhere, the man lives to race, Sure would like to see him in a Top ride
Posted by: DonB | Apr 23, 2007 9:08:40 PM
Johnny Benson, "Rocket". Robby Gordon, and I must include awesome person. Jerry Nadeau... good friend, but an guy who has done and never ever quit ever.
thanks Charles. saw her post and went with the other 2 but Robby is Robby, he doesnt beat "around the bush" but is a hell of a guy and it is a sin he is judge for on track only. Not the people he touches and helps...
Posted by: Kurt2 | Apr 23, 2007 7:39:27 PM
Robby Gordon,,He dares to be different,not a Nascar colne and he has paid dearly for it,,But he still remains Robby
Posted by: Charles | Apr 23, 2007 6:51:46 PM
Kathy,
your choices of Jeff Burton and Kyle Petty have to be tops on the list. Watching Burton and Kenseth racing for a win is NASCAR at it's best. Enough cannot be said about what Kyle and Patty Petty have done for children with serious illnesses. Even if Kyle never wins another Cup race, he's a champion in the race of life. As you can see, I'm a Stewart fan (I hate to shop at Lowes) and his generosity is well known. His on-track actions sometimes detract from the real man. Notice, he races people as they race him. Thin back to the race at Loudon last year when Stewart presented a check to the VJGC. He said he wanted to hand it to Patty personally, knowing she had not been to the track since the accident that took Adam's life. Not only did Stewart's check help the camp, having Patty go to New Hampshire helped her healing process. Actually, there are drivers we all love and we all hate, and if you look at their actions off the track, you can probably find something that every one of them does to help others, and then on Sundays, they take great risks to entertain us. They all deserve some respect.
Posted by: SmokeFan | Apr 23, 2007 5:54:32 PM
Dale Jr. Enough said
Posted by: Dennis | Apr 23, 2007 5:53:40 PM
Dale Jr is the driver I respect the most. He takes responsibility for anything he does wrong on the track (even if it isn't his fault), he doesn't throw a fit when someone wrecks him, he congratulates the winners, and has the respect of the other drivers. He gives of his time to support the sport of Nascar and speaks the truth when asked a question. He is genuine, not changing personality from on the track to off the track. He is respectful of the history of Nascar and considers it a privilege to be able to participate. He supports numerous charities, and is a giver at heart. He respects other drivers and is fiercely loyal to his family, friends, fans, and other drivers.
Posted by: Ginger | Apr 23, 2007 3:15:38 PM
We can only choose whether or not we respect public personas in this business. I am sure that, as in all sports, there are seeming fine guys out there who are total jerks, and other low-profile folks who are extraordinarily admirable people. But I'm a Burton fan from way back, so I think Kathy is a very perceptive person.
A few years back I asked Jim Utter in his Q&A portion of TR.com this question: "We know that the "most popular driver" award is voted by the fans. Who do you think would win the award if it were voted by the drivers and crews?" His answer: Mark Martin, Kyle Petty, Ken Schrader.
Posted by: Doug in CA | Apr 23, 2007 2:39:12 PM
Mark Martin hands down! Watching him back in our ASA days till now! Johnny Benson too, I like Matt (the Brat) but there is a reason for that nickname!
Posted by: Fan #5 | Apr 23, 2007 2:36:00 PM
You're right Kurt. Everyone involved with the sport from the team owners on down not only have a passion for the sport, they carry that passion over to help others too.
Posted by: Kathy | Apr 23, 2007 2:24:36 PM
You're right Short Lady, he took his sons dream and made it a reality.
Posted by: Kathy | Apr 23, 2007 2:13:33 PM
I would say this post was going well, but as usual one has to step in.
Well lets see if qualifying for this is a foundation, Well DJ does for breast cancer, Tony has done a few thing for Victory Gang, Vickers, all of the drivers have for various charities.
So if that in itself is the reason they are respected I guess the Cup gargage should be as well.
Nuff said
Just my 2 cents from the garage.
Posted by: Kurt2 | Apr 23, 2007 2:04:27 PM
Kathy
The first to come to mind is Kyle Petty.What a person he is!He took a huge negative and made it into something positive.Not sure I could have done it.
Posted by: Short Lady | Apr 23, 2007 2:02:33 PM
Well I think we all know what the "DA" stands for- if you don't wanna play go home and play with your toys-
Posted by: Wayne T. | Apr 23, 2007 1:57:59 PM
See it how you wish DA, I know what I meant. :)
Posted by: Kathy | Apr 23, 2007 1:23:01 PM
I like the old Harry Gant, Cale Yarborough types. Do their job, try their hardest and at the end of the day pack it up and go home. No fake fancy publicity, just good racers. TV has really ruined much of the fun. The snot nosed brats get all the footage. Jeff Burton, Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin are "boring" because they rarely crash into stuff or throw "exciting" fits that the TV people love.
They are just ordinary people.
Posted by: Scott | Apr 23, 2007 1:12:13 PM
Well, Well,.......I must hit a nerve to get you to respond soooo quickly! ;-) Just telling it like I see it......nothing more Kathy. Oh, and by the way, I still wish you success! ;-)
Posted by: DA24JG | Apr 23, 2007 1:09:48 PM
DA24JG,
No, I'm not a fan of Gordon, so what. I said who I respected and why and others will do the same. You really need to stop trying to find something that's not there. This was a positive post and you're trying to find some hidden negative meaning to it.
Posted by: Kathy | Apr 23, 2007 1:04:21 PM
PS. Forgot to mention Tony Stewart as well. He too, besides his temper, is very gracious off the track as well! (my apologies #20 nation)
Posted by: DA24JG | Apr 23, 2007 12:56:11 PM
Kathy,
I think you seriously need to look for employment at the 'kiddies' bumper ride at Mall of America. I can hear ALL the Earnhardt and Gordon fans laughing you out of 'Thatsracin.com' right now. In fact, you may not do well with the little ones bumping each other around at the Mall either. I'd say just go into.....cooking! And for the record, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Jr. as well as his father, were and are and always have been very honorable drivers off the track i.e. Jeff Gordon foundation for children and the list goes on for J.J., Jr. and Sr.! So please, don't continue to embarrass yourself with such a silly article......Please! It just appears to be a inside slap at Jeff Gordon for bumping Tony Saturday night. C'mon, we all weren't born yesterday. I already know you're not a fan of the 24. I wish you 'LOT'S' of luck in the future.....
Posted by: DA24JG | Apr 23, 2007 12:43:24 PM
My choice would probably be Jeff Burton, besides the 24-48 combo looks like the Champ. Honorable mentions to the #20 for his passion and Jr for what he means to the sport, like em or hate em.
Posted by: Aggie | Apr 23, 2007 11:32:42 AM
I have to respect Ryan Newman for not shooting himself in the head after his crappy luck. UNless you actually follow Newman, you wouldn't know it but they have had some kind of misfortune in 6 of 8 races this year. And they're not running that badly either.
Posted by: keith12 | Apr 23, 2007 11:07:15 AM
How about Matt Kenseth? A mild-mannered champ who races as clean as anyone.
Posted by: Kurt Smith | Apr 23, 2007 10:48:13 AM
Has to be Smoke for his love of the sport and giving to others and to not forget his roots in the sport. True he can be a %%%^ but that sets him apart from the others on and off the track.
Posted by: Wayne T. | Apr 23, 2007 10:41:26 AM
Hard to sum that into one person.
Currently Jeff B,Mark Martin as they are both class acts. On and off the Track.
Posted by: Kurt2 | Apr 23, 2007 10:30:10 AM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Advertisements
