Thoughts on Racers Being Equal
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Note: My articles are based solely on my thoughts, observations
and sometimes experiences. Normally I do not offer statistics, although at
times I may reference what different broadcasters, among others, have said or
alluded to.
When
I first became interested in racing, I thought it was pretty amazing that a
group of men, yes, men, could get
together and have a competition which allowed them to show off their driving
skills while at the same time, being innovative enough to make their cars go
faster and handle better than their competitors.
For
over 55 years, I have been involved in and have been watching racing and
reading all I could find on it. I have participated in local short track racing
when I was younger. Those of you who have been reading my articles are familiar
with all the jobs I have done.
During
that time, I also attended NASCAR races and kept track of the drivers. It
always thrilled me to see and hear what they did to compete and possibly win
these big races. Many times there were some who had a distinct advantage,
whether it was the car or the determination of the driver. Back in the day
(yes, I know how the some people hate that phrase) they were all racers. It
seems things have changed now, not only with the cars, but with the people who
compete in them. I feel there are still racers, but most of the participants
are just drivers. This group may be drivers for the money, for the fame, or
simply because it is a job they like to do. The racers are consumed with racing
and cars because to them it is a cause and reason for being. I believe most of
you really understand what I mean when I make those remarks. Your thoughts on
this are welcome in the comments section below the article.
Somewhere
along the way, a lot of drivers have come to believe that when they are on the
track, everyone should recognize and feel that they owe them the distinction of
allowing them to win, regardless of how they, themselves do. In other words, if
you are not one of the elite or media special ones, then you should just stay
out of the way and let all of the special ones past so they can win. And, while
you are on the track, you must not crash or have an incident because it might
interfere with one of the chosen one’s finish. After all, doesn’t the track
belong to the big teams and important (in the media) ones? You know, the ones
who think you owe it to them to let them have all the advantages. An example of
this type of feeling of superiority came after the Brickyard 400 on Monday,
September 10, 2018.
Though
this not the complete remarks he made, below is a summary of what Denny Hamlin
said after the Indy race. He gave several interviews and I have combined them
to make a point.
“I had the race pretty
well in hand. Landon Cassill wrecked for no apparent reason at the end and then
we just got roughed up by the 2, Brad Keselowski, at the end who was on new
tires. It allowed those guys, with all those cautions and meaningless wrecks,
on new tires to be right on us and that’s what happened.”
He also said he could
have held Brad off if the meaningless guys in the back didn’t wreck. He said
they were multiple laps down and crashing with a couple of laps to go and the
cautions allowed the guys who took tires to come back up to the front and
allowed Brad to rough him up. He then mentioned that all he cared about was
winning the race as it was on his list of races to win.
At
this time, I would like to ask Denny Hamlin when he became the most important
driver (yes, only a driver) on the track. What makes/made him feel all the
lesser known and slower drivers are meaningless? What exactly gives him the
right to think they have no rights as drivers and no right to use the track? A
lot of us are very disappointed in you, Denny Hamlin. You are just one of very
many competitors who are on race tracks at these NASCAR races and you need to
learn respect for all of the other cars and drivers on the track, each and
every race. Please make note of the fact that you are alienating a lot of fans with
your behavior and the comments you proceed to make after some races.
Thank
you for reading and commenting here.
Your thoughts, ideas on the subject and opinions are very welcome. I
remind you to keep them clean and no bashing, please. You may also email
comments to me.