A pivotal season awaits Junior...

Good article. But like you say.....time will tell.:)

One nagging thought though. Next season is his fourth.......why does that have to a pivotal season? Are you only allowed 4 or 5 seaasons to become great? Just a question that arises every time I hear something like that.:)
 
It's pivotal because that article is nothing but typical hype that surrounds Jr.
 
Probably exactly right Paul.:( Makes it hard to be a fan.......but I will trudge on.:D
 
How does it make it hard to be a fan?

Hype.. yes, but does the article make a point? In a way, yes..
 
The reason it's a little hard to be a fan of Jr is that with all the hype surrounding him, most people who are not fans seem to lump you into the pile......you know the fad followers.:( I don't like that part.......but that ain't enough to turn me away.:)

The article makes a point.........but Paul's correct in a way. Some of what BP said is hype. Otherwise why would Benny have to put the extraneous stuff about his father......the 7 time Winston Cup Champ? I know who his father is as do anyone who has followed NASCAR for more than one season. That was hype........implying that the son has it in his genes or something. I like Jr for Jr........yeah, I sort of latched on to him because of his father, but I don't expect him to replace his father. Just like any other driver in the series, he will make it or break it on his own.:)
 
Originally posted by DE Wrangler 2
I don't expect him to replace his father.  Just like any other driver in the series, he will make it or break it on his own.:)
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You get a pat on the back for that one, cause that is what I'm trying to say!!!!! Thats what I've been saying the whole time... He'll do it on his own! Dont get me wrong, I respect Dale Sr, but I was more of a Jr fan than I was of his. I dont know why..
 
:)
I think Jr is a very good driver, actually I think he'd be doing much better if the media would just let him be his self, and not bury him in all the hype. The weight of ALL the expectations must be tremendose.
 
Every season is a pivotal season for every driver. Hot one year, not the next, gone after that.
 
Originally posted by Fred420
:)  
I think Jr is a very good driver, actually I think he'd be doing much better if the media would just let him be his self, and not bury him in all the hype. The weight of ALL the expectations must be tremendose.
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Wow!!! A Tony Stewart fan who actualy makes sense when talking about Jr!!!!!!

Its funny how when Stewy does something its the media fault for blowing it out of proportion. People even went as far as saying that a photo was faked when he ran into a reporter. But when Jr is on the cover of a magazine or on MTV, its his fault. "He's riding his daddy's name" or "He never had to work for anything." Its a given that Jr will get a lot of attention becasue of who he is. But who is giving him the attention and putting him of t.v. and on magazines? I don't think he is begging to be on the cover of T.V. Guide...
 
Jr. is the epitome of cool in WC, i'm not a huge fan, but i do like him. I think once he matures some more he will be a championship contender. His off track life tends to get in the way of his career, he looses his focus. If he can stay focused on the track and not let his private life detract from his quest for a title , i think he will be a dominant driver in WC.
 
Uh oh...here goes Fergy again!

I wonder how someone saying that the media is hyping Jr again can be twisted into someone saying that it's Jr's fault? I said that article is nothing but hype, and in comes the cuckoo ranting about poor Jr being picked on.

Typical.
 
I don't know how pivotal it really is...It's not like Budwieser is going to dump him. Neither is DEI.
 
fergy, I am a NASCR fan, Tony may be my favorite but I have a great deal of respect & admiration for almost all the drivers. You won't see me bashing to many drivers, there are a couple I don't care for much but I try to keep my big mouth shut.
 
Originally posted by fergy1370
Wow!!! A Tony Stewart fan who actualy makes sense when talking about Jr!!!!!!

Its funny how when Stewy does something its the media fault for blowing it out of proportion. People even went as far as saying that a photo was faked when he ran into a reporter. But when Jr is on the cover of a magazine or on MTV, its his fault. "He's riding his daddy's name" or "He never had to work for anything."  Its a given that Jr will get a lot of attention becasue of who he is. But who is giving him the attention and putting him of t.v. and on magazines? I don't think he is begging to be on the cover of T.V. Guide...
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I sincerely hope this was a poke at Paul. I've never said anything negative about Jr. I like him, he was great when he came up to Minnesota and went to the Wild hockey game. I think he'd just be a fun person to be around. As far as pivotal year? I see the point, but Jr. honestly has a much longer rope than most other drivers. And while many people would like to see his proformance improve, he certainly isn't a backmarker. I see him finishing in the top 10 next season :) Heck he can finish second behind Tony ;)
 
Yeah, he is an Earnhardt, but I dont think Daddy forced him into that race car now did he?
 
I don't believe the hype about any driver anymore. Let the facts just speak for themselves.
Some are born with that "racing" chromasone, some work for it, and just because someone's dad raced doesn't mean they have to, even tho they are raised in a racing family.
I'm not Jr's biggest fan, but I do wish him well in 2003.
 
Kat, you're so very right. If those chromasomes were the reason, Kerry and Kelly would be right there at the front of the line. Kelly is having babies and Kerry can't get his Busch car right yet. Jr has all the talent that is left in that family.
 
Puts me in the mind of what Ricky Hendricks did.Admit he was not a racecar driver.Some may never admit it no matter what licence plate is on the car.It's better to be thought a bad driver than prove the fact by hurting someone,or yourself.;)
 
Not sure what you mean pbunch.:confused: Should Jr quit? Or are you talking about Ricky's stepping out of racing? I could agree if you are talking about Kerry but if you are talking about Jr, I think that assessment is kind of early.:)

Ricky Hendricks didn't have it in him and Ricky knew it.........he did the right thing.
 
I guess I haven't seen much that would shine in Kerrys stall,Now Jr.I am not sure.I would say this season will make or break him.But I agree that he may not be the calliper that fans wants to see for a few years to come.But the media will judge him with all the respect that they are good at.;) Jr can become a contender if he wants it bad enough,But I question when you are at the top when it comes to fame,Is there anything to work for.This is why I give Gordon the credit I do.He made his name on his own.This may be a tough nut to crack for Dale Jr. :)
 
Well, just don't toss him to the wolves just yet........he does have a tough row to hoe. But, so far, he's done okay. The hype is good or DEI, Budwieser, and NASCAR.......not so good for Jr. I think he's done about as good and anyone could. Kyle was hyped when he came in the series and I believe it hurt his career.....we'll just have to wait to see if Jr's career is hurt too.
 
That is what I mean Wrangman,If he gets it together,and pays a few more dues he will be as good as Dale Jr.Thats what everyone needs to focus on including Dale Jr himself.

And yes I said as good as Dale Earndhart Jr.;)
 
Yep...........every bit as good as Dale Jr!!:D Actually, that's all I am looking for out of him. Never wanted a replacement for his father. Only one on the horizon at the moment who may (emphasis on the may) do that is a little squirt that drives another Chevy with a number equal to three times the 8 car's!:D


Man.......it's hard to say that name!!:ROFLMFAO:
 
I want to see a strong Earnhardt next year.Martin needs some good competion.:D I bet Dale has a lot of respect for the midget.;)
 
Aren't we pushing things a bit fast here? I guess since some fellas have gotten going faster than usual, it must mean if everyone doesn't go that fast, they aren't any good. We don't know yet just how good Jr will be, but one thing for certain is that he is a racer. Remember, half of this year he was hurt though no one knew it outside of him and his doctor.
 
You got it Buck..........it's all hype. That hype is good for the sport in general, but not for the individuals. I've never said Jr will be great........I think he will be good, that's not the same thing. Only a few become the great drivers.........and time, not hype, make that so.:)
 
That's true Buckaroo,But who is to blame for that but Jr himself.I think the kid is a race car driver who was tossed into fame to quick because of his father,and mentors untimely death.I will stand by what my father told me.You got it made if you don't screw up son,And I am sure that is what Dale Sr. would be saying now.;) And this is with all due respect I say this.Some handle the fame.Some don't.The ball is in Dale Jr.court.:)
 
I think that Jr handles himself quite nicely. Got a friend who thinks that he's a punk, but I don't see that in him. He's quite humble at times and that's no like his father. I guess because he is a "genxer" people will have something against him.
 
Ya,But he is still more of a camera man than his father was Buckaroo.Maybe not by choice,but by fame.;)
 
Oh that's for sure. His father would just as soon not show his mug on TV. All he wanted to do was race, sort of like Tony Stewart huh?
 
I don't think Jr is all that comfortable with the cameras......well, maybe more so now than two years ago. But, that comes with experience of having a camera in your face.:D His father was the same......he got better in the last couple or three years (again, the experience of cams in your face). It's the promotional demands of the sponsors that make the drivers do the cutesy stuff, interviews, guess spots on MTV (or Regis and Kelly), etc, etc. Actually, I think we can thank good old Jeffy for that.......he was and continues to be a natural at it.:) Anyway, just because Jr (or any other driver) does promos and interviews or events doesn't mean they particularly like doing it........but they can't object in public because it's their job. The better that person is at "his job" the more convincing it is to the public that that person actually is like that in person......but that ain't necessarily true. Does anyone believe Anthony Hopkins is actually a cold blooded cannibal as portrayed in "Silence of the Lambs"?
 
Originally posted by DE Wrangler 2
I don't think Jr is all that comfortable with the cameras......but they can't object in public because it's their job.  
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OK, I'll bite.

I distinctly remember Stewart telling everyone many times that he was "no politician" and he would do nothing he didn't want to do after he won the championship. So, afraid to say that they can object to it publically.

Jr loves the cameras, don't let that little "meek" attitude he puts up when the cameras come on fool you. The "looking at his shoes" with tip of his hat and the "Aw shucks" smirk is just that: an act. If he didn't absolutely adore having his face plastered on them, he act like the current Winston Cup Champion when they came around...he'd run the other way.

And I don't buy that all his sponsors force him to do all this stuff. Which sponsor "forced" him to do MTV videos? Which sponsor "forced" him to make that MTV show about his house?

You musn't have much faith in the moral fiber of your favorite driver if you're more willing to call him a sponsor puppet then someone that just plain loves the celebrity. And believe me, Jr loves the celebrity...other drivers love to win.

If Sr. was nothing else he was a marketting genius, a master at selling his image to the masses. Gordon followed in the commercial genius footsteps of Earnhardt, so to say that all the drivers have Gordon to thank (as opposed to Earnhardt) is being rather shortsighted.

Earnhardt is the biggest collectables seller out there. From toilet paper with "3"'s on it to all his diecasts. His black number 3 car is nothing but money in the bank for Childress, and Sr would have had it no other way. He was an image first, then a driver. He made his money from selling his face on merchandise.

So...to summarize: The Earnhardts are the best at getting people lined up at their trucks at races to buy coffee cups with thier faces on them. Winning races is secondary. The difference between Sr and Jr is that Sr was actually able to win them.
 
Well said, Paul!!:)

And that's the other side of the story!!:D

:beerchug:
 
Everyone wants for Jr.What the fans want,He will find a concreate wall that even he himself did not know was cast.;)
 
Of course drivers know what butters their bread. Junior grew up watching the best in the "business"(and I don't mean driving business) ply his trade. Big D knew what made the wheels turn on that black car and made sure the sponsors were kept happy.

Junior inherently knows how to keep the sponsors and the media happy.

After all, racing is more business nowdays, than pleasure.
 
Originally posted by paul
He made his money from selling his face on merchandise.

So...to summarize:  The Earnhardts are the best at getting people lined up at their trucks at races to buy coffee cups with thier faces on them.  Winning races is secondary.  The difference between Sr and Jr is that Sr was actually able to win them.
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You have GOT to be kidding me...
After I read that, I've never laughed so hard in my life..
 
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