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April 24, 2007
Just Shut Up With Earnhardt vs. Gordon
By Mark Young
Dale Earnhardt is my hero. I loved his tenacity, his whatever it took to win attitude, and not until after he died did I learn to love his big heart. I have embroidered his number on my shoulder forever, named a dog after him, and patterned my professional focus after him. Hell subliminally I named my only daughter after his Taylor Nicole. I didn't agree with everything he did, like wrecking LaBonte to win at Bristol, or some of the other things I have heard he did off the track that weren't "politically correct", but then again we are all human. With that in mind I also loved to see Jeff Gordon do poorly, he was Dale's alter-ego with his "aw shucks" attitude and, at times, his perceived fake exuberance. But Jeff dealt with sub-par performances in the post-Evernham era to persevere and show he has what it takes to win in NASCAR. I don't know a single person who claimed to be an Earnhardt fan to root for Gordon, it was considered blasphemy, BUT I am going to set things straight, to all of you people out there bitching and complaining about Jeff doing a tribute lap after winning and tying Dale for 76 wins with a #3 flag victory lap, I have one thing to say.....JUST SHUT UP!!!
U WANT SOME? I DARE YOU!
Any person who can win 76 races in NASCAR's modern era where the level of competition, all be it massaged to some extents, that is much more an equal level of competition than it was in the days of Petty, Yarborough, Pearson, and Allison deserves every ounce of credit they have earned. Any 3-time winner of the Daytona 500 and 4-time NASCAR Champion has deserved it, deal with it.
Last Saturday night Jeff Gordon won a race at a track he has never won at before, there are now only two yet to conquer. He also tied Dale Earnhardt for 76 total wins, more than twice that of the next active driver (Mark Martin with 35). Yet people were stupid enough to throw beer cans at him on his victory lap. How many of these people claim to be racing fans? Did people throw beer at Cal Ripken, Pete Rose, or Walter Payton when they broke prestigious records? If they did they are just as ignorant as the ones who threw stuff at Jeff.
What people don't understand is that Dale never had a real beef with Jeff that I am aware of. Did he ever say anything negative to the press about him? I dare you to show me. I sat on Monday morning at work listening to Sirius radio and TR.com's own David Poole's show listening to people complain that Jeff disrespected Dale by doing that lap and had to turn it off. GROW UP!! You are not real racing fans. Jeff knows his NASCAR history and what it means to tie Dale. Did any of you see Junior in victory lane congratulating Jeff? Did any of you hear Junior on his radio saying it was "cool"? You were probably too busy being ignorant and childish.
This is the second time in my life I can honestly say I am embarrassed to admit that I am a fan of Dale Earnhardt. The worst part about this instance is that this time Dale had nothing to do with it. Thanks a lot for ruining a great piece of racing history.
April 24, 2007 | Permalink
Comments
Just for the record, I was listening to Claire B. Lang on XM, and several people called in to say they couldn't tell Jeff was carrying a #3 flag....didn't know what he was carrying. Perhaps at least part of the anger might have been just misunderstanding.
As a matter of fact, when I saw the #3 flag, I felt that someone has thrown icewater in my face. After watching him carry it around the track, I realized he was paying tribute to a man he respected. Maybe we should all pause before we jump to conclusions.
Posted by: Ginger | Apr 24, 2007 11:30:01 PM
Mark, I must be honst here. I never was a big Earnhardt fan. But had seeen Jeff race sprint cars here in the Ohio/Wva/Pa/In area.
I watched his growth to Nascar. He was not my favorite then either,but his going to Hendrick and working with Ray Everham they would do good.
In over 50 years of racing not many people have 76 win's.Who knows how many wins would Sr have, had tragidy not struck. 100 or more maybe, very posible. What can the next person due when they hit 76 wins?
When Jeff stoped to pick up the #3 flg, he didn't drop it, or disgrace it. He held it up proud in honor of a freind. A freind who he has missed. A freind taken to soon.
When he left with the flag, I had tears in my eyes. I was proud he showed his respect to Dale. It was fitting. It was proper.
And to quote Jr, it was "kool"
great post Mark
Posted by: Trucker | Apr 24, 2007 11:37:14 PM
Honestly, I thought it was cool, Now let's move on. We didn't hear Darrell Waltrip fams griping he TIED ol DW's record for poles...Ok that might be strech that DW has fans tha know he used to race. I think it will be safe to say that David Pearson and Richard Petty's records will be safe...Hell I'll go out on a limb and say DW's and Bobby Allisons records oughta be safe (84) lets face it at 35 Jeff is no spring chicken, His "Drive for 5" part VI is under way and I might concede that this may be his best year to accomplish just that. But Gordo fans THAT is where it grinds to a halt, Yes I know how you feel about your driver, But let's face it he IS in the Twilight of his career. Comparing Jeff Gordon to Dale Earnhardt, is like comparing Dale to Richard Petty. Each of these drivers represent a different era in Nascar's history. I saw Dale do things i didn't thinnk where humanly possible with a car, I saw him wreck horrendously break his sternum and dislocate a shoulder, Then win the pole and finish 5th the next week...and wasn't it Jeff who got him a "Superman" uniform...I don't recall. But believe it or not, Jeff and Dale where friends...I'm sure it wasn't like Dale and Theresa hung out with Jeff and Brooke but friends none the less, Jeff has a baby due shortly, and i think that this will be a "life changing" moment for him, He hasn't really wrecked hard...Pocono was pretty wicked, So I can't see Jeff racing more than 5...MAYBE 10 more years, so as Michael Waltrip would say..."Do the math DW" We are witnessing a changing of the guard!
Posted by: Fan #5 | Apr 24, 2007 11:39:14 PM
What a way to honor a man by naming your dog after him. I guess that's racing.
Posted by: Jerry | Apr 24, 2007 11:56:03 PM
Before I begin on my rant let me make it perfectly clear - I am a Dale Earnhardt fan. A hard-core Dale Earnhardt fan, and I'm not talking about his son either - I'm talking about "The Man In Black", "The Intimidator" and I'm not a Jeff Gordon fan.
With that being said, and established, let me now rant.
After Jeff's victory he grabbed a Dale Earnhardt #3 flag and drove around the track in a 'tribute' lap. Where he was promptly booed by some 'so-called' Dale Earnhardt fans, and even had a full beer, Budweiser on doubt, bounce off of his car. Give me a break!
I believe Jeff Gordon's 'tribute' was well intended and was not contrived as a marketing ploy, or a sign of in-your-face-showboating (this isn't the NBA folks).
How is what Gordon did any different than what Dale did when he won the Championship the year current Champion Alan Kulwicki died and drove around with a #7 flag? It's not!
Get a life and grow up - who would waste a perfectly good beer anyway? You really must be dumb! You must be the same idiots who gave Stirling Marlin death threats when Dale died. You tarnish the memory of Dale by your actions, and as a Dale Earnhardt fan I am embarrassed for him, his family, and the rest of us true fans.
Dale and Jeff respected each other, both on the track and off. Why can't we, as fans, do the same?
Jeff Gordon deserves the accolades that go with tying Dale Earnhardt, and trust me, he'll pass him this year. I don't know what will happen when he does - sadly, he'll probably get hit with a keg of beer instead of a can of beer.
Posted by: 4ever3 | Apr 24, 2007 11:58:01 PM
Dale, Jr. is a real class act and his fans should follow suite. They really showed their ignorance and stupidity last week and I am glad that Jr. called them out on it.
Posted by: Hello01 | Apr 25, 2007 12:06:00 AM
Well if anyone had listened to a recent interview with Jeff, you would he is going to be around for awhile. He said he wants his children to see what he does, not hear what he did.
Oh, and I bet when Gordon retires, he will be second all time.
Posted by: Jimmy Daniels | Apr 25, 2007 12:06:02 AM
I was sitting in turn 4, and have the victory lap on video, and like Ginger said, most people didn't know or couldn't tell what the flag was. Shortly after the victory lap, the word spread through the stands, about what the flag was, and I didn't hear a foul word about it. I was within beer can throwing distance of the track and nobody I saw was willing to give up their beer to throw, and I'm pretty sure the guy I was sitting next to, got the "Drunkest Earnhardt Fan/Gordon Hater" award in Section RR.
Gordon is a driver. Period. Numbers don't lie. The cat has serious talent that we can only be envious of (not to mention his smokin' hot wife and ex-wife). I'll admit I was a hater back when Dale was still alive, but it was my understanding that he and Gordon actually were decent friends that helped each other as much or more as any other of the drivers of the time.
I've grown serious respect for the rainbow warrior. Probably will never be a "fan", but he's got my respect.
JP
Posted by: Pyatt | Apr 25, 2007 12:11:40 AM
OK, so I am an Earnhardt fan, Senior is my hero, Junior is my driver, along with some others but thats not the point. I dont hate Jeff Gordon, but hes not a driver whose souvenier trailer I would visit.
And I would just like to say that some fans are completely stupid and ignorant for thinking anything about Jeffs victory lap other than a tribute. Look what Jeff did in 01 when he won the championship, he drank milk at the banquet instead of champagne because of a joke the man he looked up to had made sevral years earlier. I truly believe Jeff misses having Dale on the track as much as anybody, except for Dale Jr. and he was just paying tribute to a man he respected.
And on that note, if Dale was still with us I truly believe that he would have an 8th title and Jeff would still have a ways to go to tie him for wins. IN MY OPINION!!!!
Posted by: another joe | Apr 25, 2007 1:34:12 AM
4ever3 couldn't have said it better. When I saw Gordon had the #3 flag flying on his victory lap I thought Dale Sr. must be smiling down thinking "That kid paid attention to more than my racin'" as that was how Dale Sr. honored Kulwicki after his tragic death.
Great post, Mark!
Posted by: U Can't B Serious | Apr 25, 2007 2:31:46 AM
I have been a Gordon fan for about six years now. I didn't realize the scope of the Gordon hatred until I attended my first race in Michigan. I couldn't believe it. I still don't. The beer can throwers are in the minority, but they lead some seriously empty lives.
I also hated Dale Earnhardt when he was alive, but now I miss the #3 on the track and the more I read about the Intimidator the more fascinated I am by the legend. A great, great driver. And Trucker, I got emotional too when he carried the #3 flag around the track. I think it will go down as one of NASCAR's great moments when all is said and done.
By the way Mark, I live in the Philly area. When Cal Ripken broke Lou Gehrig's record, not one person on the local sports radio station said a single nice thing about him. They didn't throw beer at him for tying the record, but they still showed a complete lack of class.
Posted by: Kurt Smith | Apr 25, 2007 7:58:08 AM
Hey all of you who think you are fans of NASCAR. I have been going to and watching stock car racing since it was not cool to do so and I must say I am honored to have seen Jeff Gordon's first win at Charlotte Motor Speedway. I also watched Waltrip, Pearson, Petty, Allison and Dale Earnhardt race and win in their prime. All of you should feel honored to have seen Jeff win that race on Saturday as you may never see the likes of him or those I mentioned pass this way again. Just like those mentioned earlier Jeff Gordon has had to clean the dirt out of his eyes at some bullring after a tough night, you don't have to be a fan but you sure as hell have to respect the man!! By the way I have been a Dale Earnhardt fan since 1979 when it was not cool to be a fan of his.
Posted by: Kevin P. | Apr 25, 2007 9:39:05 AM
sum peepl nead tu lern tu yous thear spel chec.
Bunch of illiterate rednecks!
I hate (that's HATE) HMS, Jeffie, Jimmie, and Kyle the ass (like Casey, though) so much it actually brings me pleasure to...well, it almost feels like the little butterflys you get just as the roller coaster is tipping over the big rise to drop 75ft in about 3 seconds (ya' know?) every time I see one of them tear up a piece of cheating Hendrick Motorsport equipment. Thanks to Kyle, I have been getting that feeling quite often here recently.
By the same token, I hated that damned number 3 car when it was running as well. Because you either loved it or you hated it and, well, I didn't love it.
But the highest honor I believe anyone - sports figure, celebrity, politician, or homeless guy - can recieve is when your fellow man honors you with his success.
And I would comment on the beer can throwers, but in all honesty they probably don't even know this site exists. Bunch of freakin' Jimmies.
Posted by: the6and9 | Apr 25, 2007 10:01:13 AM
KP - is there anything you have done when it was actually cool to do so? jk
Posted by: the6and9 | Apr 25, 2007 10:06:14 AM
Those people throwing the cans aren't fans they're groupies. They go home when "their" guy drops out or wrecks. Real fans have a favorite driver, but realize the racings what it's all about.
Posted by: Rich | Apr 25, 2007 11:03:02 AM
Gordon could have made his statement a little bit better had he done a Polish lap so the fans could see what that flag was. It was a bit tough to tell.
Posted by: Doug in CA | Apr 25, 2007 11:15:24 AM
I was and am a 3 fan. I will say it was clss and respect as Sr. and JG were friends and business partners.
Alot of fans probaly missed it because he had to go so damn fast , as when he stopped to get the flag the cans came flying.
I agree with the one earlier who said it was stupid and made me somewhat embarrassed to be a fan of the 3 then. But thank God it didnt happen at DEGA.
Posted by: Kurt2 | Apr 25, 2007 11:16:37 AM
Mark, When Steve Letarte told Jeff they had a “special flag,” I thought just like the guys in the booth, it would be a Virginia Tech flag. But as the flag was being unrolled I couldn’t decide how to feel. Being an Earnhardt fan I knew Jeff was going to tie and pass Dale’s 76 win total. I don’t know if it was due to the fact I thought I would see one thing and then another, but I was uncertain as to what to feel or say.
My first reaction was: Okay, you’ve tied him. Do you have to rub it in our face?
And I don't dislike Jeff Gordon at all. I think I would have reacted that way no matter who did it.
But then I realized Jeff and the entire 24 team were doing it as a “tribute” to Dale and his accomplishments to the sport.
It didn’t hurt when Dale Jr. went to Victory Lane to congratulate Jeff. I figured that would give the Earnhardt faithful some relief, but I guess not everyone.
I agree there are times I am also ashamed to be an Earnhardt fan (i.e, death threats to Sterling Marlin and Brian Vickers). But we’re a passionate bunch. I just wish everyone would keep it to a respectful discussion, and not a tirade or throwing objects on the track.
I don’t know what will happen if Jeff passes the record at Talladega on Dale’s birthday this Sunday. I really think Jr. will win the race, and that would certainly be very fitting. But until Jeff gets past 77, who knows what fans will say and do.
Since you turned off Morning Drive on Monday, Mark, you might have missed David Poole’s closing e-mail segment. He read an e-mail from a gentleman that was simple and to the point. I don’t know if the writer was an Earnhardt fan, a Gordon fan, no just a fan in general but the message was (I hope I am quoting correctly):
“It’s a sad day when a tribute has to be followed by a footnote.”
It is indeed.
Posted by: Shirley | Apr 25, 2007 12:10:46 PM
Well said,Mark and Shirley!
At first I was unsure of how I felt,but I
think it was a tribute.As far as the beer cans,I don't think it was just Sr fans.I have just one question,"why would anyone throw a good beer at anything"?
Posted by: Short Lady | Apr 25, 2007 12:54:17 PM
They threw Budweisers, SL. No need to worry.
Posted by: Kurt Smith | Apr 25, 2007 1:09:00 PM
I may have commented on this before, but it seems to me that Earnhardt (both of them) fans and haters, as well as Gordon haters, are about ten times more avid (or rabid) than most other fans. Even Gordon fans tend to be much like any other fans.
I think back to the Burton/Busch thing at Bristol, where some folks questioned Burton's character/approach to racing. There followed a few posts debating the issue, and that was it. If that had been Earnhardt/Gordon, we'd have 500 posts and flame wars galore!
I also think back to Vickers's win at Talladega last year. If that had been Greg Biffle, Kurt Busch, and Mark Martin, the heat level would have been 1/10th of what it was because it wouldn't have involved Junior.
Posted by: Doug in CA | Apr 25, 2007 1:23:45 PM
Kurt
Thank goodness it wasn't "delicious Miller Lite".LOL
Doug in CA
Do you think the JR nation is younger and knows how to "flame" better than us old folks?Ps:I really do like to read your posts because even when you disagee,it is polite and well said.
SL
Posted by: Short Lady | Apr 25, 2007 1:36:11 PM
First, SL, many thanks for the comment. I appreciate that folks read what I have to say, given how little I know!
As for why it is, I really don't know. Maybe the whole deal is some sort of weird transference of Dale Sr. v The Kid (Gordon)? Those who were Dale guys are now Junior guys and hate Jeff because he challenged Dale Sr. and now challenges Junior? Maybe, for the most part, Earnhardt fans are Gordon haters? Maybe that's why Gordon FANS don't seem to be nearly as vocal as Junior fans - they're not necessarily caught up in the Gordon-Dale Sr. thing.
I've been a fan for about 30 years. I was Cale Yarborough fan, a Tim Richmond fan, and now a Jeff Burton fan. Mostly, though, I want to see a good, safe race.
Posted by: Doug in CA | Apr 25, 2007 2:34:57 PM
first I was an Earnhardt fan,and was never embarrassed by any of his wins or on track encounters,bc he took as good as he gave.Second I liked the tribute,not a JG fan,but he can drive.Third,even if fans couldn't tell what the flag was,why throw things bc of that.Would they throw beer at a VT flag?
Posted by: Tony 29 | Apr 25, 2007 2:39:10 PM
Shirley, if Jr. wins this weekend I'm screaming "FIX!" and sidin' with Tony!
Posted by: the6and9 | Apr 25, 2007 3:23:45 PM
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