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17_Fan
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Someone posted this on Matt Kenseth's message board. I don't know where the story or letter came from, and it is somebody's personal opinion, but I thought it was a good read. I think the writer is probably correct.
By Carol Einarsson
July 23, 2004
Carol,
I know this is long, and I don't care whether you do or do not use any of it. I just had to send it to someone, and you have been gracious in accepting my thoughts. This isn't a trend, just something that has been on my mind. (I guess if you need it, then consider this express permission to use any or all of it as you see fit). I have followed NASCAR since the very first time I saw it on "Wide World of Sports." I still have the edition of Motor Trend with their article about NASCAR 25th Anniversary. My all-time favorite is David Pearson, and would love to visit Darlington just to see the famous Wood Brothers Mercury Cyclone that resides there.
My thoughts....
Much has been written concerning the changing face of NASCAR. From new TV deals, over-commercialization, tag-team broadcasting that adds nothing, to more serious matters as the downfall of Rockingham, Darlington, and tradition. Throw in a few scoring fiascos, inconsistent enforcement of rules, and apparent favoritism toward select teams and drivers, you have the makings of a real meltdown. What hasn't been said, or said much, is what has been on my mind lately. Things went downhill on February 18, 2001.
While his fans knew it then, even his critics have to admit now that the loss of Dale Earnhardt meant and still means more to this sport than almost any other single event. The recent changes likely would have been better considered had Dale been there to consult. The rules changes may or may not have been enacted. The fact is Dale was a racer first, and understood perhaps better than anyone in the Winston Cup age what truly brought fans to the tracks and the sport.
Since that day, the sport has struggled for a lead personality, a spokesman. The press looked to Jeff Gordon for a while, and has leaned lightly on the past few Cup Champions for the leverage, and has this year shone a white-hot spotlight on Dale Earnhardt, Jr. But no one in the garage has the influence Dale did. Perhaps it was his roots. Perhaps it was the championships. Maybe it was his presence and that look he could give. Power is part accomplishment, part looks, part demeanor. But there is an intangible, the "it" factor, the "juice" that some people have that elevates them and defines them differently than us mortals. Think Elvis, JFK, Martin Luther King. Think Dale Earnhardt.
Gordon could win 10 championships, Junior could win a few, but neither of them will probably ever have the kind of influence among the France's and with Mike Helton that Dale did. There isn't a driver or team owner that could go into the trailers and come out with a sensible and sane approach to the racing the way Dale did on a routine basis. When Dale died, NASCAR became less about racing and mostly about entertainment and money. Dale provided the core. He was the soul of NASCAR racing versus entertainment. No one has stepped up to replace what he meant, and that doesn't mean someone couldn't, but I don't see it from the current crop of active drivers. No one is left that will speak up for the racing, which is why NASCAR has seen tracks littered, ratings drop, and interest among long-time fans hemorrhage in a way that it never did before.
And that is why I believe NASCAR has been in such disarray these last three years. We can't bring Dale back. But it isn't too late for NASCAR to lose some of these common templates, shock and spring rules, and other minor and major rules changes that have sucked the life out of the sport. It isn't too late, yet. At the risk of being trite or offensive; NASCAR, what would Dale do? -Bruce
By Carol Einarsson
July 23, 2004
Carol,
I know this is long, and I don't care whether you do or do not use any of it. I just had to send it to someone, and you have been gracious in accepting my thoughts. This isn't a trend, just something that has been on my mind. (I guess if you need it, then consider this express permission to use any or all of it as you see fit). I have followed NASCAR since the very first time I saw it on "Wide World of Sports." I still have the edition of Motor Trend with their article about NASCAR 25th Anniversary. My all-time favorite is David Pearson, and would love to visit Darlington just to see the famous Wood Brothers Mercury Cyclone that resides there.
My thoughts....
Much has been written concerning the changing face of NASCAR. From new TV deals, over-commercialization, tag-team broadcasting that adds nothing, to more serious matters as the downfall of Rockingham, Darlington, and tradition. Throw in a few scoring fiascos, inconsistent enforcement of rules, and apparent favoritism toward select teams and drivers, you have the makings of a real meltdown. What hasn't been said, or said much, is what has been on my mind lately. Things went downhill on February 18, 2001.
While his fans knew it then, even his critics have to admit now that the loss of Dale Earnhardt meant and still means more to this sport than almost any other single event. The recent changes likely would have been better considered had Dale been there to consult. The rules changes may or may not have been enacted. The fact is Dale was a racer first, and understood perhaps better than anyone in the Winston Cup age what truly brought fans to the tracks and the sport.
Since that day, the sport has struggled for a lead personality, a spokesman. The press looked to Jeff Gordon for a while, and has leaned lightly on the past few Cup Champions for the leverage, and has this year shone a white-hot spotlight on Dale Earnhardt, Jr. But no one in the garage has the influence Dale did. Perhaps it was his roots. Perhaps it was the championships. Maybe it was his presence and that look he could give. Power is part accomplishment, part looks, part demeanor. But there is an intangible, the "it" factor, the "juice" that some people have that elevates them and defines them differently than us mortals. Think Elvis, JFK, Martin Luther King. Think Dale Earnhardt.
Gordon could win 10 championships, Junior could win a few, but neither of them will probably ever have the kind of influence among the France's and with Mike Helton that Dale did. There isn't a driver or team owner that could go into the trailers and come out with a sensible and sane approach to the racing the way Dale did on a routine basis. When Dale died, NASCAR became less about racing and mostly about entertainment and money. Dale provided the core. He was the soul of NASCAR racing versus entertainment. No one has stepped up to replace what he meant, and that doesn't mean someone couldn't, but I don't see it from the current crop of active drivers. No one is left that will speak up for the racing, which is why NASCAR has seen tracks littered, ratings drop, and interest among long-time fans hemorrhage in a way that it never did before.
And that is why I believe NASCAR has been in such disarray these last three years. We can't bring Dale back. But it isn't too late for NASCAR to lose some of these common templates, shock and spring rules, and other minor and major rules changes that have sucked the life out of the sport. It isn't too late, yet. At the risk of being trite or offensive; NASCAR, what would Dale do? -Bruce
