I was in a reading kinda mood tonight so I got hopping around Blogville and dug into some of y'alls archived posts. One post I read has really stuck in my mind and it got me to thinking. It was Kristen's blog where she was telling about her experiences in the garage with "the boys" for the last 3 races of the 2007 season. She was talking about how all the drivers respond to the media and the fans during race weekends. Now while a lot of great points were made by many, that is not actually the topic I want to touch upon.
She told us about many drivers but it was what she said about Jeff Gordon that really triggered something. She said how he was very personable, made the time to talk to all the media, not just the big name network people etc. She said he was great, and that he did his interview without the shades, and looked her in the eye when he talked to her. To me what she was basically saying was that he was a definate class act. I had to ponder that for a bit, not that I am saying he isnt a class act, it just got the wheels turning.
Here we are in 2008. All kinds of things are going on in the NASCAR world. The sport is enjoying popularity beyond belief. There was a time in the not so distant past that should you stop 5 people on the street, 4 of them wouldnt have a clue when you asked them what NASCAR was. They may however recognize names. If you threw the words Dale Earnhardt or Richard Petty out there 2 or maybe now 3 of them would say "hey yeah, arent they like those car racer guys??".
That still holds true in some places but more of those 5 people are going to know what our sport is and now a couple of them might even be fans. Names have changed, but throw out Dale Earnhardt Jr or Jeff Gordon and that same response about car racing guys holds up.
I realized tonight that I've been in a kind of time warp. It's been kind of fun here but I had one of those 'a ha' moments that make it never quite the same again. I still think of Jeff Gordon as this guy....
That brash young kid who burst on to the scene in the '90's and took NASCAR by storm....
So in my poor little mind I'm still thinking of him as that new young gun, winning championships and races yes, but still the new guy..lol. But he's not. I blinked, and now he's the 'veteran'. He's the one that the new kids all want to be. He's who they look up to and who they go to for advice. They pick his brain hoping that some of his experience and knowledge rubs off.
He's the leader now. A four time champ, a record holder. He's a mentor now, the veteran face and voice of NASCAR. He's a dad and a husband and a leader. And he's acting like it. I have a new respect for JG. All eyes in the garage are on him and he's leading by example. I'm not talking on the track, I'm talking off of it. Kudos to him for giving Kristen and her fellow media peeps his time and full attention. If that is not leading by example and doing it well, I dont know what is. I dont know how I could have blinked and missed this.
I thought this pic was so cute I just had to put it in...LOL.
Yes, he has come full circle in our beloved sport. I met him in his first few years at a autograph session in Virginia Beach, his teammates were Ricky Craven and Terry Labonte. It is funny to think about his full career and what he's accomplished and his stature in the sport. Thanks for this Kena!
Sweetkena, good post. Gordon IS the elder statesman of NASCAR now. Yes, there are other active drivers that started in Cup before him, but he carries the most weight with the young guns. NASCAR won't be the same when he hangs up the helmet for good.
Although his hometown is listed as Pittsboro, IN, he actually hails from Vallejo, CA (not far from Sears Point, which he calls his home track).
It was ironic that
Gordons first race in NASCAR was also Petty's last race. He's always been a leader on the track. I think now that he's mature, he'll become more of an ambassdor for the sport off the track as Petty, Earnhardt, and now guys like Mark Martin and other vets have later in their careers. He hasn't always been a fan favorite for everyone, but there isnt a true NASCAR fan that doesn't repect his skill and accomplishments.
Very Nice post Sweet Kena.
I have been lucky enough to meet some drivers. Only one really struck me as an azzz. Rusty Wallace didn't make time at a raceday show at Dega in 2005. That was Jarrets last win. Edwards rookie at the time, made plenty of time for fans. Rusty who was not even driving. Came to one fan who had his car, did an autograph. Said I will be back when I am done and do more. At the end of the show he walked by everybody. Didn't stop for a sole. Edwards on the other had stayed for about 30 minutes doing autographs and having fun with the crowd.
I still have not got to meet Jeff since his nascar deput. I did meet him in 1988 when he was slingin sprints in indiana still. Kinda neet. Anyway my take on drivers.
Oh and I got to meet Tony in Eldora this past week. He is one of us. Just loves racing and having a good time.
Sweet, I was not going to comment on the blogs anymore for awhile as it can get ugly....even between respected friends. I am not an "OSTRICH" I am a "PEAFOWL" I refuse to hide my head in the sand.
Good points here as I am guilty of the same. I have crazy glued my eye lids so I can never blink again. Gordon, will always be my Nascar's number one driver.
Being new to NASCAR I look at Jeff Gordon as the establishment... But then I look at Jimmie Johnson the same way. I saw a clip this past weekend while Kyle Busch was rushing to get to his next race. There was a young woman standing to the side with a pen and what looked like a program that he walked past. Suddenly, like he realized what he'd done, he made a 180 and went right back to her and autographed her offered paper while a large entourage with him had to wait. It struck me that all the bad news about Kyle just took a major hit.
Thanks for your take on Jeff Gordon and just maybe Kyle Busch isn't the fire breathing monster many like to portray him as...
I was not a big Jeff Gordon fan but after seeing that picture of him with his daughter may finally have turned that last corner for me. What a little beauty!
He has mellowed and now has a very different demeanor that is pretty hard not to like!
And oh my, where has the time gone. Surely it is only him getting older and not me! LOL!
Kena ~ Thanks for sharing.
Ah, isn't maturity wonderful! lol
The second picture with his daughter says a lot. He seems to have slowed a little now that he has the responsibility and family. But that is not a bad thing. It just means there are some things more important than a job. He has made lots of money and I'm sure he would give it all up for his little girl if he had to make a choice. Wish him a great Fathers Day!
Having watched him wheel a sprint car as a YOUNG teenager, I've always been impressed with his talent and cringed when he was so booed and hated early in his career because, much like Kyle, he came in and turned Cup racing on its head. But I always knew what a class act he was - he's helped MANY young drivers get a break including some I know well. Thanks for a great blog that we can hope will open the eyes of a few more of his critics. I hate it that he is likely to retire soon but would sure love to see him get another championship first. Being greedy, I also would love to see him get to 100 wins but know that is nearly impossible with the way things are now.
BTW SK, I've been following your "discussions" with frevr3fan and know you have resorted to criticizing spelling and punctuation so you might want to change the word definate (sic) in your blog. It is spelled definite - just for the record (lol) But please also read my post on his most recent blog suggesting you both have much to offer (as illustrated again by this excellent blog) and I personally hope you two will rethink the personal attacks and go back to debating racing which you both do so well.
Sweetk- Glad my blog inspired you! Thanks for referencing it. I am always so impressed with Gordon in the garage area. He signs autographs (and is usually surrounded by fans) the best he can and talks to them. You see him talking to Jr, JJ and Casey in the garages too. I think fatherhood has mellowed him a bit, but he wants to win as bad as anyone and was really upset when JJ came back and beat him last year. Dont count him out!
Have never been a Jeff Gordon fan. BUT he is definitely the main spokesperson for the drivers now. He has continued to provide a great example that the great drivers of NASCAR are willing and able to accomodate the media and the fans. It is amazing to see how tolerant they are toward the demands on their time and their gracious nature.
Sweetk, this a great. I FEEL SO OLD!LOL I forget that these people are getting older also. I think Jeff is a really nice guy. Hope all is going well with you.
Lori - It is funny to think about it. Feels like in no time at all its happened. I guess I must be getting old..lol
jon - he does carry the most weight and yes there are older drivers, each respected a great deal too but he is the 'go to' guy now. He moved from IN when he was very young didnt he? I'm not up on my Gordon facts...lol.
Gerrel - He has come a very long way. Thanks for stoppin by!
Cuda - It is way ironic...lol. I actually was going to mention that but it didnt fit quite in with the flow of the blog. Glad you brought it up!
noahs - funny how the different guys react isnt it? I'm glad you had such a great time a Eldora. I'm so jealous...lol.
Pea - LMAO@gluing your eyelids. No excuses to miss a thing now!
TWF - Thanks for being the peacemaker. I'm sure your keyboard is still giving you issues after doing that..lol. I'm not going to comment much on what's been written. If he wants to follow me around blogland, copying and pasting bits and parts of what I write in order to twist them around to fit his own agenda then more power to him. Also, if all the people jumping on his bandwagon want to jump, thats their perogative as well. They should however remember that there are 2 sides to every story. I just have chosen not to take mine public. That is all I have to say.
Thanks for correcting my spelling..lol. That is one of my problem words.
Ive always wondered why J.Gordon seems to get booed all the time all hes done in his career is be a winner if thats such a bad thing I can take the booeing as long as im a winner I dont know whats up with him lately im wondering if hes going to be hanging up the helmet soon we all know he dosnt do it for the money..
Jeff Gordon doesn't fit the mold of the good ole boys from back in the day. His foray into NASCAR had many of the fans saying "Whoa a city slicker racing in NASCAR ( not really but it was the impression)back then.
To come into the sport and quite frankly turn NASCAR upside down with his polished demeanor and winning style was more than many fans could comprehend. Old habits are hard to break thus the continual booing some times today.
Over all Gordon was one of the drivers that brought class to the sport and made it appealing to fans from all walks of life and to the executive heads of the corporate sponsors.
The days of the tobacco chewing and cigarette smoking drivers with a perchance to pick a fight in the pits are long gone.
JW - I dunno why he gets boo'd so much. It's probably just because he's a winner. The biggest dog always seems to get the most flack.
BTW - your tongue is very red. Have you been eating all the red Smarties again?? LOL
photo - He did turn the sport on it's head. I'm glad I was around to see it.
Oh and no more fightin in the pits??? Rats!
To pioneerof50 and anyone else who cares, my previous screen name was HoosierRacer13 not Hoosier13 and that account was locked or deleted by Foxsports because I posted a blog critical of the way they administer the site but there was nothing inappropriate or in violation of their terms of service in my blog. Haven't tried to hide who I am or why the change was made. Any questions, foxmail me.
It doesn't seem like it has been that long ago, that I was hearing Davey Allison, talk about this young upstart kid, that was going to win races and championships.
Jeff Gordon has certainly fulled that statement many times over.
Sweetkena, from my understanding he moved to Indiana when he was 13 from Vallejo. We consider him a NoCal out here in California, meaning he's from Northern California.
I'm 36, single and a professional. I love writing, love to blog and am a huge huge fan of NASCAR. If ya cant already tell by the prevailing orange theme...Smoke 's the man! But I like a lot of other drivers and some of their fans! If you're passionate about this sport then let's get at it! I'm here to have fun, have some great debates and to learn. I'm not interested in 'Hooking up", nor am I interested in slinging insults with a bunch of haters. I'f thats your thing then just please move along. Otherwise stick around and lets talk NASCAR!
