Thank God Carl Edwards won at Bristol, and Kyle Busch won at Fontana. You want to know why? It’s simply because I’m tired of the same old script every Sunday. First, it’s Dale Junior. Forget the other 42 drivers in the field. Second, it’s Jimmie Johnson. Third it’s Jeff Gordon. The four-time champ is always a favorite. Let’s not forget Kasey Kahne. It’s mainly because he’s part of the Hendrick Empire and everyone knows they are the best. Let’s not forget about Tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch and even Danica. They have been touched by the master, so they get a majority of the media time. Yes, that’s the way it is in 2014.
Never mind that Marcos Ambrose had his best finish on an oval in his career, let’s put him on the late show so that we can interview more relevant drivers. Never mind that Kevin Harvick finished in the lower half of the race or maybe even Kurt Busch or Tony Stewart, both who just haven’t had the performance this year (though he has a couple of good finishes because of attrition), it’s all about who the fickle fans want to see. They don’t want to see Marcos or Ricky Stenhouse or even Cousin Carl because they’re not that popular. The theory is to flood the airwaves with Junior and Jimmie or Tony and forget about Aric and even Clint. America love s a winner, but that doesn’t apply to the 2012 champ or maybe the guy who won seven races last year. Lest we not forget, we have now ordained one of those mentioned the greatest driver of all time because he won a bunch of championships in a contrived system.
On any Sunday, we get to watch the greatest drivers of all time. Unfortunately, they are not equal. Some have superior funding, but that funding depends on how much ink, or in this case, air time they receive. The media continues to promote Junior, Jimmie, Jeff, Kasey, Tony, Kevin, Kurt, and Danica to the point of nausea. Brad, the one with the championship and Joey just get yeoman coverage. Of course guys like Jamie and Greg Biffle it’s not so much. Mention Junior or Jeff or Kasey or Jimmie or Tony or Kevin or Kurt or Danica and everyone knows them. Try to find a die cast at Wal-Mart with those drivers and it’s no problem. Try to find a Biffle die cast and you’re in trouble, unless you live in Charlotte and most of us don’t life there.
Carl Edwards won two races last year which was more than Junior or Tony or Kurt, and yet a fan has to dig deep to find anything to support their fandom. It just doesn’t exist. That can be said for Matt Kenseth, a two-time Daytona winner and winner of seven races last year.
Thank goodness that Edwards and Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano and even many other drivers win on occasion. Otherwise, no one would ever know they exist. Many are too busy asking others silly questions about silly things and making sure that a small amount of focus is on other drivers. It’s no wonder the stands were empty at Bristol and never got to see a great driver win. Of course, he wasn’t Junior, Jeff, Kasey or Tony or Kevin, so it doesn’t matter.
This week we go to Martinsville where once again the focus will be on Jimmie, Jeff and Denny. Good thing the hot dogs are so good and the racing is simply the best!
Fleshman and thinkagain probably had Duke in the tournament. That is why they are so cranky.
Hmmmm…I don’t even know what tournament you are referring to. Is it relevant? What is your point of discussion? With what statements do disagree?
I almost didn’t read this article because Carl and Kyle are two drivers I dislike and I am not in a celebratory mood when either of them win.
However, I am in complete agreement with your sentiment and the statements in your article. In addition to the very talented drivers who don’t get mentioned are many, many drivers–most who don’t come from big-money, popular teams (read HMS and SHR)–who also get no coverage.
Your point about Ambrose is well taken. I was displeased with Earnhardt recently when he came in second to Brad K, and he was oh so…disappointed, as were his fans and the media.(And second to Brad no less, who is a topflight, clean driver.) The discussion when on and on.
You really ought to take up another sport. Try curling or soccer.
Jj: Why? Soccer is good but mostly I follow international equestrian sports. But why the disparaging remark? Have I said something that offended you?