It’s been an interesting discussion, the phenomenon of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s popularity, and it has me curious. I want to know….
Who’s your favorite driver(s) (I won’t limit you if you’re so inclined) and why?
I think you can tell a lot about a person by who they root for. Some are drawn to certain drivers because of their personalities- I tend to think you can probably determine something about my temperament by the fact that- as a fan- I root for Jeff Gordon, Carl Edwards, Bobby Labonte, Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Bump Drafts contributor Mustang Jackie is drawn to Ford men (who else given her nickname)- an example of a fan drawn to drivers of a certain make. For others, it may have to do with where a driver is from. I’m noticing Jimmie Johnson has a growing fan base among the fans out west.
On one of my message boards, I know a fan who is a Jamie Mc Murray fan because of the attention he has given to autism. I know another fan- an Army vet- who’s a big fan of Reed Sorenson- in part, because of the attention the young Georgian has shown at races. I always thought it was cool how Carl Edwards and Robby Gordon have given away personal memorabilia to fans who may be dealing with illness, injury or some kind of personal tragedy.
For some of the ladies, it has to do with their taste in men. Kasey Kahne and Denny Hamlin find a following aming the young ladies. I’ve some of the more seasoned women go for a guy like Labonte. Some may be surprised, but I find that Matt Kenseth has a particularly loyal fan base among women.
I suppose the reason I’m drawn to a life in media, is an in-born, insatiable quest to know things. So how about you? Who is YOUR favorite driver? Why? This inquiring mind want to know…..
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
Tony Stewart is my guy. He’s true to his roots, and never sugar coats anything. You know what he’s thinking when he’s thinking it. Also, has a love for animals like I do. you know that by the charities he supports. And least, but not least, he can DRIVE a race car.
You pretty much hit the nail on the head when you said most of my loyalties are with Roush-Fenway and the Blue Oval boys. When I watched my very first NASCAR Cup race, I didn’t have a clue who drove what. But since I was raised on a cotton farm, the car that grabbed my attention was the green and yellow Ford with the big deer on the hood. That’s right, the #97 John Deere Ford driven by Chad Little. Well we all know how that turned out!! lol
And since the #97 was part of Roush Racing, I started watching Mark Martin in the Viagra #6 and the rest of the “Roush Boys”. I liked Mark’s racing attitude, race hard (no pun intended) but clean. And even after he went to DEI and later HMS and started driving “Brand X” cars, he is still one of my favorites.
If I had to choose a second favorite, it would be Carl Edwards. Even though he “limped” (ok…a small pun intended here) along in 2009 with no wins, he is a proven winner and hopefully will do plenty of backflips in 2010.
@Jackie.
@Janine- Even though we’ve all been haning out here a while, I never really knew for sure who your favorites were.
I don’t care anymore. I rooted for anyone in a Ford at one time but with no driver or owner loyalty, it doesn’t matter. Other than Kyle Busch, you can not identify who made a statement if it is written down. You can’t tell what kind of car it is without decal. Generic drivers driving generic cars racing on generic track does not do much for loyalty.
I’m a Kyle Busch fan because I fell for his energy and enthusiasm back in his second Busch Series race. He’s entertaining, unpredictable, and its simply tremendous fun to watch him race. As a woman old enough to be his mom, I have a soft-spot for teen boys/young men of the sort who are too precocious for their own good and a little awkward about making the boy-to-man transition.
I generally go for the hot heads and hard chargers. I was a Big E fan when people were as likely to boo him as cheer him. I also root for Greg Biffle, Kurt Busch, and Ron Hornaday.
Mark Martin doesn’t fit into that group, but his intensity and passion made him my first favorite even if he is no longer my top favorite.
I support Jeff Gordon, I picked him first because I live in his home town of Vallejo. The Dupont paint scheme caught my eye first, this was before I knew where he was from and what he had done in racing. Then by extension I support his teamates. I also like to see Carl Edwards do well. I follow Kevin Harvicks progress or lack of it because of his title sponsor Shell. I work at a local Shell Oil refinery.
I’ve been a fan of Jeff Burton’s since 1997. I loved the look of the EXide car and how the driver could bring that car from the back to the front. I didn’t know even know his name at the time. Now I’m a Jeff Burton more than a Nascar racing fan. That will never change.
I root for several drivers, but my favorite is probably Junior. I admire the way he has stood up to all the pressure that comes from being Dale Jr. and being under such a microscope. I like Harvick and Stewart and JPM because they go for it and aren’t afraid to speak their minds. I like Robby Gordon because he is trying to be that relic, the owner/driver. I like that Mark Martin has shown that you can still drive the heck out of a car after 50.
From 1985, as long as he was fulltime, Bill Elliott was my driver. Then, until he retired and even when he came back for one year, Ricky Rudd. Because I was a Mike Ford fan, I followed Denny Hamlin for a year – but I was not particularly fond of Denny Hamlin. I regularly listened to “my” driver on the scanner part of NASCAR. After Hamlin and Rudd, I switched around a lot on the scanner until I listened to David Reutimann. His first cousin is his spotter and, now, Rodney Childers is his crew chief – they are a super T-E-A-M and their success has been a bonus for me.
Dale Jr is my driver, and the reasons are many. I watched him growing up and becoming a fine man. Even though he is a multi-millionaire, he is still the same shy boy next door. He is sensitive and loyal. He had rather drive his competitors fairly than win by wrecking them. He exemplifies integrity on and off the track. He is honest… to his own detriment many times. Jr and his fans don’t just have a fan/driver relation. He has a connection with us that makes us all family. His core strength is remarkable. Lesser men would crumble under the load he carries, yet he never complains. He has a wonderful sense of humor. is laid back, and whatever life hands him, he accepts and deals with. Jr fans are faithful because Jr is faithful to us. We know he will always give his very best on the track and off. I will be a member of Jr Nation forever.
Da Biff…i’m a Roush guy thru and thru..but Da Biff is my fav..watching him hang the rear end out like a dirt tracker in the corners is worth the price of admission alone..the guy can flat out wheel a nasty car..once the FR9 is sorted out and regular..watch for Da Biff to rise to the top :)
Dale Jr. is my favorite driver. He reminds me of what stock car racing used to be like. I am a contemporary of the Allison brothers in age. He fits in the mold of his father, Bobby Allison, Buddy Baker and David Pearson. We have gone from genuine people to the WHINE and cheese crowd. Get a grip Na$car and remember the heritage.
I just watch to see crashes. It’s really great to see millionaires crashing.
Awesome Bill Elliott was my original fav, because he could drive that #9 Coors Thunderbird faster than anything else on the track. I also liked pulling for Alan Kulwicki, *RIP Big Al*
But since then, it’s been all about Mark Martin. Hopefully, Next year will be the one for him.
(I always held high regard for Dale Jarrett when he was racing as well)
My favorite driver is Dale Jr for many of the same reasons that Ginger stated.
I cant imagine living under the intense scrutiny that he does and yet seems to be more humble each day. Also I love that he’s created JR Motorsports with the intention of not racing Cup drivers but for the purpose of giving young drivers a chance.
In my opinion, he is carrying on the Earnhardt legacy with grace.
This is a tough one for me. I go waaaaaaaay back in Nascar, back so far that as a kid I rooted for Freddy Lorenzen. Then later I worked for DiGard and appreciated Donnie Allison (never was a Jaws fan though). All time favorite would be David Pearson and Bobby Allison.
Today’s drivers don’t do a whole lot for me. Though I have to say that I’m a Smoke fan. And I appreciate Kyle Busch’s desire to win–but I’m weary of his childish behavior–I can’t say I’m a fan. If pressed I’d have to say I’m a Montoya fan, because as an all around driver I think he’s the best we’ve seen in a long time. Once JPM wins on an oval he’ll do it again and again.
I’d also have to say I’m also a Brad Keselowski fan, I like his aggressiveness and the fact that he’s already in Hamlin’s head.
So there you have it:
Smoke
JPM
K-man
I’m pretty sure I know what that says about me.
I am a Dale Junior fan simply because no one gives more on any given Sunday than him. NO one is as humble as he. He could be one of the snobbier drivers, but he is not. He gives of himself to the fans until sometimes I think it wears him out. He takes the blame for shoddy race cars that fall apart, stupid mistakes on pit road (although he did miss his pits LOL) but someone should have been counting him in. With his wealth and prestige he could just do whatever he wants, but I am so glad he wants to race. I would stop watching NASCAR today if there were no more Junebug.
JPM. I’m also an F1 fan, and I loved his take no prisoners attitude there. Not to mention he doesn’t whine about having inferior equipment.
As long as Dale Jr. keeps driving he will be winning the MPD award every year without a doubt. We are all true fans for all the right reasons and that has been said again and again….he has a personality plus he cares about his fans and supports us because he knows, good days or bad, we have his back.
Kyle Busch, because Jr fans hate him, and he keeps kicking butt on the Track, and pissing off Jr fans
I have been a fan of this sport since summer of 2001, and have been a Dale Earnhardt Jr fan since. I admire his strength and personality; as well as his dedication to the sport. He says what’s on his mind. He’s humble, charitable, and he’s always entertaining. He’s very talented, and is a lot of fun to watch on the track. I will be behind him no matter what.
I have an African Grey, Cockatoo, and Crow…they all love watching the races…and they all shout for TONY!!! (yes even the crow!) I taught them well..they know him by sight..and even with the team change they are now up to speed on his new car. My husband has a Senagal parrot….he USED to root for JUNIOR along with my husband..but alas..we have won them over…and our entire flock cheers for TONY!
I was a Neil Bonnet, Alan Kulwicki fan. Then I became a Tony Stewart fan. But through it all I have been a JJ Yeley fan and always will be. Watching that kid on Dirt etc is a sight to behold. If he ever is given another chance, with someone who’d give him a little bit more time to “get the heavy cars” – He would amaze. Bring some of the excitement back that is missing from the racing we have today.
I pull for Dale Jr. as many others are I was an avid Dale Sr. fan, was one for many many years. I pull for Jr. because when he started out driving being Dale’s son I naturally started to follow his progress. When he won his Busch series championships I was impressed by him, when he started driving cup I was elated to have 2 Earnhardts on the track competing.When Sr. was killed, I naturally placed all my focus on Jr. Jr. will never be his Dad, nor should we expect him to be. But he is the son of a legend and that will forever put him in a category few have ever occupied. Jr. will get a handle on the COT, if he had dirt racing experience he would be all over the COT now. The loose feel of the COT has Jr. at a disadvantage. This off season he should go dirt racing with Tony Stewart and learn a few things. I will always be a Jr fan, no mater where he finishes in the pecking order of NASCAR.
I root for Regan Smith, because he was robbed of his win at Talledega.
Other than him, I root for Jeff Gordon because of how so many people used to root against him despite his driving skills, and Greg Biffle and Kasey Kahne because they’re from here in the Pacific Northwest, where no top-series NASCAR races are run.
Mark Martin. Veteran competitiveness and unequaled class on and off the track. I have enjoyed being a fan for 20 yrs and watching him develop into who he is today. C’mon Mark, I’m on board for your Drive for One!
I am a fan of Jr.,Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon, and DJ when he was driving. I did not become a fan of Sr. until I watched him win the Daytona 500. I like the driving style of all the drivers that I listed because they are clean drivers. They drive with their heads and their hearts. My first favorite driver was Richard Petty back in the 60’s and 70’s.
Mike, #26, I am also pulling for Mark to win his first Championship.
I’m a Jimmie Johnson fan because I admire his style. He’s cool, calm and collected on the track and off. My most admired quality is grace under pressure and that’s Jimmie. He can drive a loose car. He can come from the back to the front. He can communicate information so that Chad knows how to correct a bad handling car. And he’s a great guy off the track too.
I am a very devoted Jr. fan. I always will be because even with all his fame and popularity, he still stays grounded. He honors his family and friends. He treats others with the upmost respect. I have seen him handle wins and I have seen him handle defeat. He doesn’t like it but he’s still the same guy. Jr. to us in Jr Nation, seems like family, not just another driver. Some say that Jr gets his popularity from his father..well how many times did you see Sr on that most popular list? Jr is his own man..we have watched him grow up..and we like the man he has become.