LewTheShoe
Seeking Skill-based Meritocracy... More HP Less DF
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2016
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Everyone always seems to be in such a rush to discount any Brad Keselowski success. Why is one driver the target of so much animosity?
Ricky Craven: Because he speaks his opinion -- he often says exactly what he believes -- and most people on the planet aren't equipped with the ability to objectively listen to what he says and appreciate the honesty, even though they might have a totally different view. It doesn't qualify a person as being wrong, you simply disagree. Many don't like him, or are not a fan of his, and that overrides the fact he is one of the few drivers still willing to give us an unfiltered version of his views and perspective. I'm good with Brad, I appreciate how hard he worked to get where he is, and I hope he doesn't change. More importantly, I hope he continues driving as though he is seeking his first win. There is no substitute for hunger.
Ryan McGee: I wrote a column about this at the height of him being ganged up on back in November 2014, and I don't think it's really changed since then. I think people -- rivals and fans -- target him because they don't understand him. And then when they target him and it doesn't seem to bother him very much I think that drives them all even crazier. He subscribes to the Bob Sugar philosophy of "this ain't show friends, it's show business" and he firmly believes that it's his business to do whatever it takes to get to the front. We've applauded other racers for living that way, but it usually took a while for people to come around. I really hope that one day they come around on Brad. Love him or hate him, what he has accomplished is pretty remarkable ... and he's only 32.
John Oreovicz: He doesn't fit the mold of either the established driver stereotypes -- southern redneck or polished West Coaster. And he's not afraid to flaunt his different-ness, mainly by speaking his mind on just about any topic. On the track, his style is a lot like the late Dale Earnhardt, which is why it surprises me that more people don't back Keselowski.
Bob Pockrass: Because he has 20 wins [now 21 wins] and he's only 32 years old. He doesn't back down to other drivers. He doesn't think like other drivers. And he says what he thinks. So many disagree with that and view it in some ways as a lack of respect. But why is being the target of animosity a bad thing? You want friends mixed with sports? Go to your local softball league.
Marty Smith: Because he talks and he doesn't back off it. It's that simple. Brad's very intelligent, very cerebral. He's a thinker who's completely unafraid to verbalize his thoughts, opinions, concerns and potential innovations. He's not rash. He's not boastful. He's calculated. And he's never afraid to say his peace. That pisses off a lot of people. It annoys his competitors to no end. Know what? He doesn't care. Here's the thing: If you're going to be outspoken, you have to be successful for the words to have any credibility. Brad can wheel, too. With the best of them.
Ricky Craven: Because he speaks his opinion -- he often says exactly what he believes -- and most people on the planet aren't equipped with the ability to objectively listen to what he says and appreciate the honesty, even though they might have a totally different view. It doesn't qualify a person as being wrong, you simply disagree. Many don't like him, or are not a fan of his, and that overrides the fact he is one of the few drivers still willing to give us an unfiltered version of his views and perspective. I'm good with Brad, I appreciate how hard he worked to get where he is, and I hope he doesn't change. More importantly, I hope he continues driving as though he is seeking his first win. There is no substitute for hunger.
Ryan McGee: I wrote a column about this at the height of him being ganged up on back in November 2014, and I don't think it's really changed since then. I think people -- rivals and fans -- target him because they don't understand him. And then when they target him and it doesn't seem to bother him very much I think that drives them all even crazier. He subscribes to the Bob Sugar philosophy of "this ain't show friends, it's show business" and he firmly believes that it's his business to do whatever it takes to get to the front. We've applauded other racers for living that way, but it usually took a while for people to come around. I really hope that one day they come around on Brad. Love him or hate him, what he has accomplished is pretty remarkable ... and he's only 32.
John Oreovicz: He doesn't fit the mold of either the established driver stereotypes -- southern redneck or polished West Coaster. And he's not afraid to flaunt his different-ness, mainly by speaking his mind on just about any topic. On the track, his style is a lot like the late Dale Earnhardt, which is why it surprises me that more people don't back Keselowski.
Bob Pockrass: Because he has 20 wins [now 21 wins] and he's only 32 years old. He doesn't back down to other drivers. He doesn't think like other drivers. And he says what he thinks. So many disagree with that and view it in some ways as a lack of respect. But why is being the target of animosity a bad thing? You want friends mixed with sports? Go to your local softball league.
Marty Smith: Because he talks and he doesn't back off it. It's that simple. Brad's very intelligent, very cerebral. He's a thinker who's completely unafraid to verbalize his thoughts, opinions, concerns and potential innovations. He's not rash. He's not boastful. He's calculated. And he's never afraid to say his peace. That pisses off a lot of people. It annoys his competitors to no end. Know what? He doesn't care. Here's the thing: If you're going to be outspoken, you have to be successful for the words to have any credibility. Brad can wheel, too. With the best of them.
