NASCAR loses it’s Drawl – Gordon to Blame?

I am a bit irrated after reading this article about how NASCAR has lost it’s roots and the author says it all started with Gordon because he did not fit the mold of the the stereotypical driver from the Deep South and because he was from California.   While I do agree to some extent that NASCAR has lost its edge and is now a “plain vanilla” sport, I certainly don’t think Gordon started the downfall.   I blame the leadership of NASCAR for it’s current state.   I miss the drivers of old that voice there opinion, now we have 43 PR robots on the track that are afraid of saying something that is “detrimental to stock car racing” and losing championship points.

Here’s and excert from the article I’m referring to:

And a lot of the blame, or credit, goes to Jeff Gordon.

In many ways, Gordon broke the NASCAR mold. Before he arrived in the early 1990s, most drivers cut their teeth racing on short tracks, slowly working their way up through the sport. Gordon was a child prodigy, groomed by his stepfather in midgets and sprints from the age of 5. Raised in Vallejo, he looked and sounded West Coast, and his bold driving made him very influential. 

It still amazes me how the hillbilly NASCAR dolts, yes I’m talking to you Talladega Earnhardt fanatics, continue to shower their hatred on the 24.  Go back to your “black #3″ painted double wide and pour one out in the front yard for the 3 car and get over it.  Someone came along and gave your god a run for his money.  Gordon is the closest thing to an old school driver NASCAR has along with Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart.  Oh and those guys are from Las Vegas and Indiana, not exactly Deep South either.

source: pressdemocrat.com

Agree or Disagree?  Voice your opinions and comments below!

Gordon, Johnson going for records at Phoenix

April 18 — Hendrick Motorsports drivers have won four straight races at Phoenix International Raceway, with #48-Jimmie Johnson visiting Victory Lane during the last three events. #24-Jeff Gordon won the April 21, 2007, contest after starting from the pole position.  During the last eight races at the track, Hendrick Motorsports drivers have claimed five victories and five pole positions.  Last November, Jimmie Johnson made track history by becoming the first driver to win three consecutive races at Phoenix International Raceway.  On Saturday, the three-time and defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion will attempt to extend that history with a fourth consecutive Phoenix victory – this time in the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500.  Gordon, who ended a 47-race winless streak on April 5 with his first victory at Texas Motor Speedway, now has 82 in his career.  He stands one behind fifth-place Cale Yarborough on the all-time victories list and only two away from tying Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip for third.  Jeff will start 4th in tonight’s race.

Other Hendrick Drivers Starting Positions:

Mark Martin – 1st
Jimmie Johnson – 10th
Dale Jr. – 15th

(Hendrick Motorsports PR)(4-15-2009)

Gordon Has Sights Set on Fifth Place at PIR

AVONDALE, Ariz. (April 14, 2009) – Fifth place is Jeff Gordon’s goal at Phoenix International Raceway – in career NASCAR Sprint Cup wins.

Gordon, who ended a 47-race winless streak on April 5 with his first victory at Texas Motor Speedway, now has 82 in his career. He stands one behind fifth-place Cale Yarborough on the all-time victories list and only two away from tying Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip for third.

While Team DuPont’s win at Texas was their first in more than a year, they may not have to wait long for their next celebration if history is any indication. In 2002, Gordon ended a 31-race winless streak with a victory at Bristol. One race later, the team was celebrating again after a victory in Darlington.

During the 2003 campaign, Gordon snapped a 22-race winless streak at Martinsville. He won the next race at Atlanta. And in 2007, Gordon entered this event without a victory in 25 races. He collected win No. 76 that night, tying Dale Earnhardt for sixth in all-time victories. You guessed it – he won the following event at Talladega. Overall, the driver of the No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet has won consecutive events 22 times.

“It was nice to get that win at Texas,” said Gordon, who is leading the standings by 162 over teammate Jimmie Johnson. “The victory there had eluded us for so long.

“But it’s also good to get that first win of the season out of the way. Every season, you’re looking to get that first win. When you get that one off your back, you can breathe and relax.

“Every win confirms you have what it takes, and it gives you confidence.” Confidence heading to a track where the No. 24 team has performed well in the past. Along with his 2007 victory at the Arizona track, Gordon has three poles, eight top- fives and 15 top-10′s in 20 starts. Another win would be another milestone in his 17-year career.

“I’ve accomplished more than I ever thought I would in this sport,” said Gordon. “To be in the same neighborhood as some of the all-time greats of NASCAR just blows me away.

“I’m sure they had the same feeling when winning a race. Once you’ve accomplished that, you want to win again.”

And again. And again.

Source: www.motorsport.com