D
DE_Wrangler_2
Guest
I just read on another forum that someone wants our newest controversial driver parked. I'm talking about Johnny Sauter, driver of the number 30 AOL car owned by Richard Childress. Since there are a couple of what I would call trolls over on that site I have avoided any response to the statement. I really would like an honest, open, and non hostile discussion on the topic.........I'm not one to bash drivers or posters.
Okay, here's the way I see it. Johnny is a rookie. He's an aggressive driver. He's young. And he's a little hot headed. All three of those attributes are desirable in a Cup driver (both for an owner and a sponsor). Good guys seldom win in this division of NASCAR racing. Yeah there are exceptions........DJ, Bobby and Terry Labonte, Bill Elliott, and Matt Kenseth are some that come to mind that have bucked the norm. But, really, they are aggressive too.......just not as openly as most. I've seen each and every one of those five drivers move someone out of the way to get ahead of them. You just don't win Championships in a field where competition is so high by not doing so. Every owner and sponsor wants a driver who will aggressively drive for a win...........it's dollars in the bank (yeah, it's game of money......always has been, always will be). But, that aggression has to be backed up with skill. Skill takes time to develope...........some do so more quickly than others. At the moment, I don't think Johnny has the skill to back up his aggression. He may never get it.............but then, again, he might. I'm not ready to say anyone should park him for his driving. I do think Richard needs to take control and settle him down a bit..............and regardless of how you feel about Richard Childress, the fact is that he did take a very aggressive driver to 7 Championships. He knows how to do it. If Richard can't control his driver, then I have confidence that he will take other measures to protect his team, sponsors and reputation........think about Jeff Green last year.
So, what are your thoughts? Give Johnny a break and let the owner take care of it or should NASCAR take the lead and park him in the interest of safety?
Okay, here's the way I see it. Johnny is a rookie. He's an aggressive driver. He's young. And he's a little hot headed. All three of those attributes are desirable in a Cup driver (both for an owner and a sponsor). Good guys seldom win in this division of NASCAR racing. Yeah there are exceptions........DJ, Bobby and Terry Labonte, Bill Elliott, and Matt Kenseth are some that come to mind that have bucked the norm. But, really, they are aggressive too.......just not as openly as most. I've seen each and every one of those five drivers move someone out of the way to get ahead of them. You just don't win Championships in a field where competition is so high by not doing so. Every owner and sponsor wants a driver who will aggressively drive for a win...........it's dollars in the bank (yeah, it's game of money......always has been, always will be). But, that aggression has to be backed up with skill. Skill takes time to develope...........some do so more quickly than others. At the moment, I don't think Johnny has the skill to back up his aggression. He may never get it.............but then, again, he might. I'm not ready to say anyone should park him for his driving. I do think Richard needs to take control and settle him down a bit..............and regardless of how you feel about Richard Childress, the fact is that he did take a very aggressive driver to 7 Championships. He knows how to do it. If Richard can't control his driver, then I have confidence that he will take other measures to protect his team, sponsors and reputation........think about Jeff Green last year.
So, what are your thoughts? Give Johnny a break and let the owner take care of it or should NASCAR take the lead and park him in the interest of safety?