Egad, now it's Dale Jr.

Tod · 02-26-2001, 06:06 PM

Ok, first of all, I'm gonna start off by saying that I am sorry for all the people that were effected by Dale Sr's sudden and tragic death. And that even though I am not in any sense of the word a NASCAR fan or any other form of racing pertaining to turning left for 500 laps. I do, however, respect what these guys do and what kinda balls it takes to drive that fast for a living.

That said, I think Dale Earnhardt Jr. is showing couragousness on his part by continuing to race and persue a championship. My problem has to do with every area of the media that covers this sport. As you all probably know, Dale Jr. hit the wall on the first lap of his race on last Sunday, exactly a week after his fathers' death. But this wreck is getting the most airtime on both radio and tv than other more newsworthy events. I mean cmon. The guy hit the wall and is ok.....good for him. Do I really have to know about it? Are we gonna start hearing about the guy everytime he spins out, blows a tire, runs out of gas, or anything else? Next thing you know they'll be telling us when he slips and falls down in the shower. Yeah he hit the wall. But i'm sure there was somebody in a race somewhere that did as well. Why didn't we here about all those other unlucky drivers?

Yeah, Dale Sr's death raises awareness about safety issues in the dangerous sport of racing. But if I'm gonna hear news related to any racing, I wanna see how a guy came from behind late in the race or was able to hold someone else off to win. And if you show a wreck, make it like a 10 car pileup or something. Everything Dale Jr. does for the next while will be watched closely I'm sure, but at least make a highlight of him worth something.

Sorry, just needed to vent a bit.

02-26-2001, 06:50 PM

I really don't think we're gonna hear about Dale Jr. falling down in the shower, but then again the media is always going to play up whatever they think will win ratings.

But I do think that the "healing process", whatever that means to each person, was supposed to start this weekend. For the drivers and fans, it was the first time back to the track. Even for some members of the media, who had gotten to know Dale Sr. For Dale Jr. in particular, it was a critical time. We have no concept of what that guy is going through after the loss of his dad, mentor, and boss. A good showing would have gone a long way towards putting the pain aside and going forward, and I think he had the blessing of all the fans in that regard. Yes, Jr's finished dead-last before, but of all the races where it could have happened...

That said, I like you hope that the news media will not hang on every word and action of Jr. this year. I especially hope that they will not stick a microphone in his face everywhere he goes. Give the poor guy his space, let him grieve in his own way, and let's see some more of that talent us NASCAR fans have enjoyed over the last few years. I'm going to Vegas for this weekend's race, and I hope to see him do well.

------------------
Greg
91 LX Convertible

[This message has been edited by cleangreenmachine (edited 02-26-2001).]

02-26-2001, 06:06 PM	#1
Tod Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: just outside of Slowville Posts: 299	Egad, now it's Dale Jr. Ok, first of all, I'm gonna start off by saying that I am sorry for all the people that were effected by Dale Sr's sudden and tragic death. And that even though I am not in any sense of the word a NASCAR fan or any other form of racing pertaining to turning left for 500 laps. I do, however, respect what these guys do and what kinda balls it takes to drive that fast for a living. That said, I think Dale Earnhardt Jr. is showing couragousness on his part by continuing to race and persue a championship. My problem has to do with every area of the media that covers this sport. As you all probably know, Dale Jr. hit the wall on the first lap of his race on last Sunday, exactly a week after his fathers' death. But this wreck is getting the most airtime on both radio and tv than other more newsworthy events. I mean cmon. The guy hit the wall and is ok.....good for him. Do I really have to know about it? Are we gonna start hearing about the guy everytime he spins out, blows a tire, runs out of gas, or anything else? Next thing you know they'll be telling us when he slips and falls down in the shower. Yeah he hit the wall. But i'm sure there was somebody in a race somewhere that did as well. Why didn't we here about all those other unlucky drivers? Yeah, Dale Sr's death raises awareness about safety issues in the dangerous sport of racing. But if I'm gonna hear news related to any racing, I wanna see how a guy came from behind late in the race or was able to hold someone else off to win. And if you show a wreck, make it like a 10 car pileup or something. Everything Dale Jr. does for the next while will be watched closely I'm sure, but at least make a highlight of him worth something. Sorry, just needed to vent a bit.

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02-26-2001, 06:50 PM	#2
cleangreenmachine Guest Posts: n/a	I really don't think we're gonna hear about Dale Jr. falling down in the shower, but then again the media is always going to play up whatever they think will win ratings. But I do think that the "healing process", whatever that means to each person, was supposed to start this weekend. For the drivers and fans, it was the first time back to the track. Even for some members of the media, who had gotten to know Dale Sr. For Dale Jr. in particular, it was a critical time. We have no concept of what that guy is going through after the loss of his dad, mentor, and boss. A good showing would have gone a long way towards putting the pain aside and going forward, and I think he had the blessing of all the fans in that regard. Yes, Jr's finished dead-last before, but of all the races where it could have happened... That said, I like you hope that the news media will not hang on every word and action of Jr. this year. I especially hope that they will not stick a microphone in his face everywhere he goes. Give the poor guy his space, let him grieve in his own way, and let's see some more of that talent us NASCAR fans have enjoyed over the last few years. I'm going to Vegas for this weekend's race, and I hope to see him do well. ------------------ Greg 91 LX Convertible [This message has been edited by cleangreenmachine (edited 02-26-2001).]