NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award

Joniki

Joniki

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The top 10 vote-getters were:
1. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2. Kasey Kahne
3. Jeff Gordon
4. Tony Stewart
5. Danica Patrick
6. Jimmie Johnson
7. Kevin Harvick
8. Matt Kenseth
9. Kyle Busch
10. Carl Edwards

Dale Earnhardt Jr. was announced Thursday as winner of the NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award for a record 11th consecutive time.

Earnhardt topped the fan balloting, conducted by the National Motorsports Press Association, with more than 700,000 votes to continue a streak that began in 2003. His 11th award broke a tie for most consecutive most popular driver awards with Bill Elliott, who still holds the all-time record as a 16-time award recipient.

http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-me...ar-most-popular-driver-dale-earnhardt-jr.html
 
ToyYoda said:
#1 is no surprise. #2 is a huge surprise. Never would have thought Kasey Kahne was that popular.
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They obviously included votes for his stage name, Eminem.

kasey-kahne-GC.jpg
 
I'm shocked Danica didn't fare any better. And that's not good news. It just shows that even with Danica in the sport, NASCAR isn't gaining new fans. It's just the same old fans cheering for Junyer, many of whom probably don't go to races or watch because he doesn't win anymore.
 
gordonite said:
The attention of every potential new and current sponsors.
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Sponsors who see that the most popular driver in NASCAR is someone who hasn't accomplished anything in the last eight years because of his last name - because the sport still revolves around the legacy of a driver who died 13 years ago instead of the legacy of current NASCAR drivers.

I don't mean that with any disrespect towards Dale Sr, it's just the truth. No wonder NASCAR teams have a hard time attracting sponsors. What's going to happen when the 30-year Earnhardt fans "age out" and quit watching NASCAR?
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
Sponsors who see that the most popular driver in NASCAR is someone who hasn't accomplished anything in the last eight years because of his last name - because the sport still revolves around the legacy of a driver who died 13 years ago instead of the legacy of current NASCAR drivers.

I don't mean that with any disrespect towards D?ale Sr, it's just the truth. No wonder NASCAR teams have a hard time attracting sponsors. What's going to happen when the 30-year Earnhardt fans "age out" and quit watching NASCAR
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I sometimes have to wonder how you come up with this stuff.

Jr finished fifth this year.
 
Guess this poll proves that the best are not always the most popular.
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
Sponsors who see that the most popular driver in NASCAR is someone who hasn't accomplished anything in the last eight years because of his last name - because the sport still revolves around the legacy of a driver who died 13 years ago instead of the legacy of current NASCAR drivers.

I don't mean that with any disrespect towards Dale Sr, it's just the truth. No wonder NASCAR teams have a hard time attracting sponsors. What's going to happen when the 30-year Earnhardt fans "age out" and quit watching NASCAR?
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For whatever reason, popular drivers usually have no problems getting full sponsorship, despite their on track record.

Danica can tell you that.
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
Sponsors who see that the most popular driver in NASCAR is someone who hasn't accomplished anything in the last eight years because of his last name - because the sport still revolves around the legacy of a driver who died 13 years ago instead of the legacy of current NASCAR drivers.

I don't mean that with any disrespect towards Dale Sr, it's just the truth. No wonder NASCAR teams have a hard time attracting sponsors. What's going to happen when the 30-year Earnhardt fans "age out" and quit watching NASCAR?
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It's the cost to go racing, it's not worth it anymore to the sponsors if you don't have one of the top drivers.
 
Jimmie finished 6th......is that because he has 6 championships?
 
Kyle18fan said:
If Kurt is a villan waht the hell is Harvick :laugh:
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I think Kevin relates more to the every day working fan than the Busch brothers do. The Busch Bros act like spoiled rich kids some times. While Kyle runs from reporters, Kevin isn't afraid to walk straight to them and open his mouth. Fans love that. Plus he took over for Sr, so there is that.

FYI, I actually like Kurt, and while Kevin is one of the drivers I cheer for it is more of an SHR thing.
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
Sponsors who see that the most popular driver in NASCAR is someone who hasn't accomplished anything in the last eight years because of his last name - because the sport still revolves around the legacy of a driver who died 13 years ago instead of the legacy of current NASCAR drivers.

I don't mean that with any disrespect towards Dale Sr, it's just the truth. No wonder NASCAR teams have a hard time attracting sponsors. What's going to happen when the 30-year Earnhardt fans "age out" and quit watching NASCAR?
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While you are already getting crap for this comment, it is actually spot on. Jr, isn't horrible of a driver, but his stats doesn't warrant the fame he gets. I'd say majority, even though they won't admit it, are fans of his because of his dad.
 
Danica being 5th says one thing to me... her looks and sports illustrated photo shoot arent going to keep her career going forever... I say she's out after her contract expires if she doesn't step it up.
 
SlicedBread22 said:
Danica being 5th says one thing to me... her looks and sports illustrated photo shoot arent going to keep her career going forever... I say she's out after her contract expires if she doesn't step it up.
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So now you hate women? ;)
 
Danica in 5th huh. Shows me that a majority of fans still respect drivers for their talents & not their marketability. Even JJ being 6th is a surprise that he even made the top 10. Example, when I was a kid growing up with Gordon in his prime I was his only fan in my neighborhood & school. Everyone said "I hate that guy. He wins too much." Doubt he would have made the list back then.

AndyMarquisLive said:
How many wins does he have this year? Everyone else on that list at least did something.
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Here dude, I'll even lend you my shovel so you can continue to dig your hole.
 
A video from 'After The Laps'

If anyone can frin the full iew from this yesterday, please post it. I've heard some good cuts from this on NASCAR Radio today.

This was one cut from Jr's time on the show.

http://bcove.me/drrfernx
 
Danica in fifth and Jimmie in sixth tells me that the majority of NASCAR's fan base is older. I get that there are a lot of Earnhardt fans on here but this isn't good.

The greatest driver in a generation who will probably win eight championships can't even get out of Earnhardt's shadows because there aren't any new fans who appreciate and respect Johnson.

NASCAR isn't attracting new fans, even with Danica and an infusion of young talent coming in the sport. The sport is in serious trouble. Earnhardt Jr won't be around another five years and Earnhardt Sr fans won't be around in 10-20 years. Half of them will turn their back on NASCAR when Jr retires. And there aren't any new fans to fill that void.
 
And to think people always rag on Kyle Petty who's come closer to winning a Sprint Cup title than Jr ever has and ever will.
 
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