10:20 PM
JD
In other sports it is the same. In baseball, what team is hated by more fans than the Yankees? In tennis it was McEnroe, in college football it has been Miami, USC and others, and in golf, Tiger.
For the most part, in racing, the dislike of a successful driver is tied to respect. In the case of most, later in their career, most fans cheer for their return to victory lane. In my case, there were few drivers I disliked more in the 1990's than Rusty Wallace and Jeff Gordon. Everyone can tell by that remark that I was a huge Earnhardt fan. I disliked those drivers because their periods of success in essence meant less wins for Earnhardt. In Wallace's last few years, and now with Gordon, I have grown to respect the drivers and often hope for their success.
Not sure yet when I will feel this way for Johnson, but it has not come yet.
Don't get me wrong. Jimmie Johnson will go down as one of the greatest champions of Nascar. Top 5 for sure, top 3 maybe. I have a deep amazement for what he has been able to do. Now its time for a break. Then again, unless someone BEATS the 48, the break will not come, which, I'm sure, Johnson hopes does not happen. Congrats to the 48 team... and on to 2011. Who will stop the fix for 6? " Bueller...Bueller....?"
Posted in: Dale Earnhardt,Darrell Waltrip,Hendrick,Jeff Gordon,Jimmie Johnson,Nascar,nascar news,Racing,Rusty Wallace,Sprint Cup
3 comments:
How much of Johnson's success is due to his driving talent and how much is it a product of the HMS system? It's apparently a marriage made in heaven but I wonder if JJ would have the same results driving for another team... They're certainly consistent.
Indeed! Thats why I think it is even more an accomplishment that Hendrick has kept the team in tact after such success. I often wonder what would have happened in the early 90's if Earnhardt had been in a Hendrick car... Childress is great, but Hendrick has long had more "toys" than Childress or anyone.
JJ, Knaus, and Hendrick are the Perfect Storm. All three are equal parts to the equation. JJ, or Knaus could go to any other team and NEVER have the success they have together on the 48.
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