April 28, 2005
By Carol Bell
Dear Jimmie:
There’s been a lot of talk around the neighborhood lately. Folks seemed to be concerned that perhaps all’s not well with you. So tell us Jimmie, what seems to be the problem?
Jimmie Johnson
For a driver known for always being there at the end because of cautious yet precise driving and slick moves, great teamwork and extreme patience, well, let’s just say that your driving skills this season greatly resemble a novice driver at a Saturday night short track. And apparently it’s spilling over into your interaction with the fans.
Is it the pressure Jimmie? From who? Has the “Chase for the Championship” point system simply become an albatross around your neck? Is it your sponsors? Though how they could not be pleased would be beyond me. Or is there some sort of inner compulsion that now has you competing head to head with your car owner Jeff Gordon. After all, at the end of last year and even the start of this year, the media had literally crowned you “King” and practically handed you the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Trophy, only to refocus their attention on Jeff going for his fifth championship and clicking off each and every record he conquers.
Since the “Gatorade Duel” at Daytona, it seems that for whatever reason, you have found yourself in situations where you have been chiefly responsible for causing wrecks and taking people out. This seems contradictory to your prior behavior, not to mention your obvious intelligence, since those that you seem to tangle with all have previous histories as “bad boys”. Problem is, those “bad boys” have for the most part run pretty clean races this year, until that is, you get anywhere near them. If you're developing a new driving style, take my advice. Pick on those that have stellar reputations such as the one you once enjoyed. This would be smart for obvious reasons such as publicity and the now run amok NASCAR penalty police, but also because those “bad boys” have memories easily as long as Jimmie Spencer’s.
There was much said as to possible retribution from Dale Jarrett for Shane Hmiel’s behavior at Bristol and all are holding their breath waiting to see just what if anything, DJ may do. How silly. DJ won't do a thing. He won't have to. There are others that will be more than happy to manner a driver who shows such disrespect to someone of DJ’s caliber. And they are far more qualified, not to mention subtle in the way such discipline is applied.
Which brings me to another point. With the incidents at Daytona, during the “Gatorade Duel” as well as the Daytona 500, Bristol and now Phoenix, I've come to the conclusion that you just don't do this type of thing very well. It’s not your forte' so to speak. So knock it off. Of all the talents as a driver that you have, this type of driving is apparently not your strong suit. When you “brake check” as you did at Daytona, try not to be so obvious. You know, at least maintain what appears to be close to the speed of the guy you're blocking. And if you're going to insist taking someone out by, as DW says, “washing” up the racetrack, don't do it in a turn. And for heavens sake, don't immediately then go on national television and blame everyone from the guy you took out to the kid in the concession stand as it’s probably not real smart to blame your victim for the very thing that you yourself were guilty of. It’s just tacky.
As to your fan interaction, this is an area you need to give a lot of consideration too. A number of derogatory stories are floating around about folks being snubbed after waiting in long lines for an autograph, simply because they may not be decked out head to toe in Jimmie Johnson gear. A really smart driver might actually pay more attention in an effort in increase his fan base. Well, except the Dale Earnhardt, Sr. fans. A simple compliment would suffice and generosity of spirit would go far, because these people are not going change their black number three gear. Nope, never. Ain't gonna happen. But they did stand in line just to meet you! All of them, no matter who colors they're sporting deserve nothing but respect.
You now have the chance to reverse a very bad trend. You were able to get where you are with skill and persistence, and surely you have matured enough to realize that putting other drivers and yourself at risk certainly won't enhance your image in the hearts of fans and minds of drivers, owners, or sponsors.
If however, you have decided that since you are driving the car you therefore own the track and can do what you wish, your year will feel like an eternity. Any good will you have accrued will slowly erode away, not only with officials, but with fans as well, to the point where each race will feel like a war.
Which is exactly what it will be and slowly but surely you will lose that war.
Discuss this and other racing matters in the Prodigys@Speed Forum
You can contact Carol at.. Insider Racing News
The thoughts and ideas expressed by this writer or any other writer on Insider Racing News, are not necessarily the views of the staff and/or management of IRN. Although we may not always agree with what is said, we do feel it's our duty to give a voice to those who have something relevant to say about the sport of auto racing.
By Carol Bell
Dear Jimmie:
There’s been a lot of talk around the neighborhood lately. Folks seemed to be concerned that perhaps all’s not well with you. So tell us Jimmie, what seems to be the problem?
Jimmie Johnson
For a driver known for always being there at the end because of cautious yet precise driving and slick moves, great teamwork and extreme patience, well, let’s just say that your driving skills this season greatly resemble a novice driver at a Saturday night short track. And apparently it’s spilling over into your interaction with the fans.
Is it the pressure Jimmie? From who? Has the “Chase for the Championship” point system simply become an albatross around your neck? Is it your sponsors? Though how they could not be pleased would be beyond me. Or is there some sort of inner compulsion that now has you competing head to head with your car owner Jeff Gordon. After all, at the end of last year and even the start of this year, the media had literally crowned you “King” and practically handed you the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Trophy, only to refocus their attention on Jeff going for his fifth championship and clicking off each and every record he conquers.
Since the “Gatorade Duel” at Daytona, it seems that for whatever reason, you have found yourself in situations where you have been chiefly responsible for causing wrecks and taking people out. This seems contradictory to your prior behavior, not to mention your obvious intelligence, since those that you seem to tangle with all have previous histories as “bad boys”. Problem is, those “bad boys” have for the most part run pretty clean races this year, until that is, you get anywhere near them. If you're developing a new driving style, take my advice. Pick on those that have stellar reputations such as the one you once enjoyed. This would be smart for obvious reasons such as publicity and the now run amok NASCAR penalty police, but also because those “bad boys” have memories easily as long as Jimmie Spencer’s.
There was much said as to possible retribution from Dale Jarrett for Shane Hmiel’s behavior at Bristol and all are holding their breath waiting to see just what if anything, DJ may do. How silly. DJ won't do a thing. He won't have to. There are others that will be more than happy to manner a driver who shows such disrespect to someone of DJ’s caliber. And they are far more qualified, not to mention subtle in the way such discipline is applied.
Which brings me to another point. With the incidents at Daytona, during the “Gatorade Duel” as well as the Daytona 500, Bristol and now Phoenix, I've come to the conclusion that you just don't do this type of thing very well. It’s not your forte' so to speak. So knock it off. Of all the talents as a driver that you have, this type of driving is apparently not your strong suit. When you “brake check” as you did at Daytona, try not to be so obvious. You know, at least maintain what appears to be close to the speed of the guy you're blocking. And if you're going to insist taking someone out by, as DW says, “washing” up the racetrack, don't do it in a turn. And for heavens sake, don't immediately then go on national television and blame everyone from the guy you took out to the kid in the concession stand as it’s probably not real smart to blame your victim for the very thing that you yourself were guilty of. It’s just tacky.
As to your fan interaction, this is an area you need to give a lot of consideration too. A number of derogatory stories are floating around about folks being snubbed after waiting in long lines for an autograph, simply because they may not be decked out head to toe in Jimmie Johnson gear. A really smart driver might actually pay more attention in an effort in increase his fan base. Well, except the Dale Earnhardt, Sr. fans. A simple compliment would suffice and generosity of spirit would go far, because these people are not going change their black number three gear. Nope, never. Ain't gonna happen. But they did stand in line just to meet you! All of them, no matter who colors they're sporting deserve nothing but respect.
You now have the chance to reverse a very bad trend. You were able to get where you are with skill and persistence, and surely you have matured enough to realize that putting other drivers and yourself at risk certainly won't enhance your image in the hearts of fans and minds of drivers, owners, or sponsors.
If however, you have decided that since you are driving the car you therefore own the track and can do what you wish, your year will feel like an eternity. Any good will you have accrued will slowly erode away, not only with officials, but with fans as well, to the point where each race will feel like a war.
Which is exactly what it will be and slowly but surely you will lose that war.
Discuss this and other racing matters in the Prodigys@Speed Forum
You can contact Carol at.. Insider Racing News
The thoughts and ideas expressed by this writer or any other writer on Insider Racing News, are not necessarily the views of the staff and/or management of IRN. Although we may not always agree with what is said, we do feel it's our duty to give a voice to those who have something relevant to say about the sport of auto racing.
