Thoughts on Johnson's popularity

buckaroo

buckaroo

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Jimmie Johnson's popularity has been in question for some time now, especially this year. We've discussed it here time and time again, and it appears that the majority here at least, aren't thrilled with him, myself included. We've given our reasons and they are mixed, but it seems that his being such a bore, whether true or not, is the biggest reason. BTW, that was the same reason so many didn't care for Matt Kenseth. Well Jimmie is about ready to do something that nobody in this sport has done and that is win four titles in a row. It seems that the old saying "Who's going to be the next Jeff Gordon?" has been found in Jimmie. Will we next be saying "Who will be the next Intimidater, or the King?

Seems that we fans can be just as fickle as anything when it comes to sports. For most of his time in the ring, Ali was about as disliked as anyone could be, but in his aging years, more and more people began to root for him. Even with the elder Earnhardt, those who didn't like him began to root for him to win the Daytona 500. I think it's just part of human nature to finally get behind the old vet and see his carreer continue on a winning path. So the question is, if Jimmie continues his streak next year, God forbid, will there be a ground swell of fans turning in his direction to root him on to win seven or even more? I know those who were fervent fans of DE and Richard will probably hate to see anyone else even come close to that seven titles, but with more and more newbies, and those oldies who weren't the biggest fans of DE or Richard, will they come around to see if there will be a new King?

Just some thoughts.
 
buckaroo said:
Jimmie Johnson's popularity has been in question for some time now, especially this year. We've discussed it here time and time again, and it appears that the majority here at least, aren't thrilled with him, myself included. We've given our reasons and they are mixed, but it seems that his being such a bore, whether true or not, is the biggest reason. BTW, that was the same reason so many didn't care for Matt Kenseth. Well Jimmie is about ready to do something that nobody in this sport has done and that is win four titles in a row. It seems that the old saying "Who's going to be the next Jeff Gordon?" has been found in Jimmie. Will we next be saying "Who will be the next Intimidater, or the King?

Seems that we fans can be just as fickle as anything when it comes to sports. For most of his time in the ring, Ali was about as disliked as anyone could be, but in his aging years, more and more people began to root for him. Even with the elder Earnhardt, those who didn't like him began to root for him to win the Daytona 500. I think it's just part of human nature to finally get behind the old vet and see his carreer continue on a winning path. So the question is, if Jimmie continues his streak next year, God forbid, will there be a ground swell of fans turning in his direction to root him on to win seven or even more? I know those who were fervent fans of DE and Richard will probably hate to see anyone else even come close to that seven titles, but with more and more newbies, and those oldies who weren't the biggest fans of DE or Richard, will they come around to see if there will be a new King?

Just some thoughts.
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I fail to see his talent really. I know he is on his way to maybe history, but without Chad I don't think he would amount to a hill of beans. JMHO. He has some talent, but he is no King.
 
buckaroo said:
Jimmie Johnson's popularity has been in question for some time now, especially this year. We've discussed it here time and time again, and it appears that the majority here at least, aren't thrilled with him, myself included. We've given our reasons and they are mixed, but it seems that his being such a bore, whether true or not, is the biggest reason. BTW, that was the same reason so many didn't care for Matt Kenseth. Well Jimmie is about ready to do something that nobody in this sport has done and that is win four titles in a row. It seems that the old saying "Who's going to be the next Jeff Gordon?" has been found in Jimmie. Will we next be saying "Who will be the next Intimidater, or the King?

Seems that we fans can be just as fickle as anything when it comes to sports. For most of his time in the ring, Ali was about as disliked as anyone could be, but in his aging years, more and more people began to root for him. Even with the elder Earnhardt, those who didn't like him began to root for him to win the Daytona 500. I think it's just part of human nature to finally get behind the old vet and see his carreer continue on a winning path. So the question is, if Jimmie continues his streak next year, God forbid, will there be a ground swell of fans turning in his direction to root him on to win seven or even more? I know those who were fervent fans of DE and Richard will probably hate to see anyone else even come close to that seven titles, but with more and more newbies, and those oldies who weren't the biggest fans of DE or Richard, will they come around to see if there will be a new King?

Just some thoughts.
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I don't see a whole lot of turning. Something would have to happen for there to be a diffence in his lack of appeal. I mean, wth the King, he was basically one of the founding fathers of the sport, toook time (hours and hours) with the fans, and became an icon. With DE, he started from humble beginnings, and worked his way up. Johnson was just kinda picked up and placed in a top-level, golden spoon team from the beginning. Nothing to cheer for there. And he's so bland and boring, there's nothing to boo either.
 
Curves and VaDirt...It is still very early in Jimmie's carreer and what I'm talking about would occur much later. Look at Mark Martin's popularity. Mark has always had a good following, but nothing like he has now. Of course, there are people who are rooting for Mark just to beat Jimmie, but there are more rooting for him simply because he has never won the title and has been close so many times before. Jimmie has many more years to come and he will undoubtedly become a legend after he retires, one way or another. All I'm asking is will he gain more popularity with age and accomplishments, or not.

Its easy for people to not give Jimmie the kudos he so deserves, saying that it is really Chad who is responsible for those titles. No question about it, Jimmie and Chad have the chemistry to do what they have done, but to say that Jimmie wouldn't be successful without Chad is just silly. Who knows how he would do without Chad. I recall some people saying that Jeff wouldn't win a title without Evernham yet he did. Some said that Earnhardt wouldn't win without Shelmerdine or Petree. No question about it that Chad is a top CC but would he work as well with another driver? We may or may not ever find out the answer to any of those questions. But at the moment, you can't say that Jimmie isn't a winner.

As a side note, I wonder how many Dale Jr. fans will switch their allegiance to Jimmie?
 
I think like/dislike is more visceral for me. I don't know that I could explain exactly why I like/dislike certain drivers. I can admire their talent, but not root for them.

I fully understand and appreciate that Jimmie is doing something spectacular, but that still doesn't make him someone I will actively root for.
 
Gordan opened the door for the Silver Spoon drivers. Those that started on mini-bikes then go-karts, 1/4 midget etc. All bought and paid for by Mommy and Daddy. Hired help to repair and maintain. Logano is just the latest. Wouldn't surprise me at all if he called AAA to change a flat.
The King, Sr, Rudd, Allisons, Awesum Bill and others of that era all built, or had a hand in building their cars. They knew their cars and what made them tick. And how to make them tick faster too.
I'd love to see Jimmie, Jeff, the shrubery boys etc set up a new set of rear end gears or rebuild a 4 speed.
I have a hard time imagining.

That's why I respect the "old school" guys so much.
 
buckaroo said:
Curves and VaDirt...It is still very early in Jimmie's carreer and what I'm talking about would occur much later. Look at Mark Martin's popularity. Mark has always had a good following, but nothing like he has now. Of course, there are people who are rooting for Mark just to beat Jimmie, but there are more rooting for him simply because he has never won the title and has been close so many times before. Jimmie has many more years to come and he will undoubtedly become a legend after he retires, one way or another. All I'm asking is will he gain more popularity with age and accomplishments, or not.

Its easy for people to not give Jimmie the kudos he so deserves, saying that it is really Chad who is responsible for those titles. No question about it, Jimmie and Chad have the chemistry to do what they have done, but to say that Jimmie wouldn't be successful without Chad is just silly. Who knows how he would do without Chad. I recall some people saying that Jeff wouldn't win a title without Evernham yet he did. Some said that Earnhardt wouldn't win without Shelmerdine or Petree. No question about it that Chad is a top CC but would he work as well with another driver? We may or may not ever find out the answer to any of those questions. But at the moment, you can't say that Jimmie isn't a winner.

As a side note, I wonder how many Dale Jr. fans will switch their allegiance to Jimmie?
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I can't give Chad any credit because of his cheating activities. :)
 
But...............Jimmie is not making NASCAR history. NASCAR history was negated when they went to the Chase format.
 
SST55 said:
Gordan opened the door for the Silver Spoon drivers. Those that started on mini-bikes then go-karts, 1/4 midget etc. All bought and paid for by Mommy and Daddy. Hired help to repair and maintain. Logano is just the latest. Wouldn't surprise me at all if he called AAA to change a flat.
The King, Sr, Rudd, Allisons, Awesum Bill and others of that era all built, or had a hand in building their cars. They knew their cars and what made them tick. And how to make them tick faster too.
I'd love to see Jimmie, Jeff, the shrubery boys etc set up a new set of rear end gears or rebuild a 4 speed.
I have a hard time imagining.

That's why I respect the "old school" guys so much.
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So many of us older fans feel the same way. I remember many years ago, after Jeffy had a couple of titles, someone said the exact same thing. They even included Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin in that group, but I'm not sure that would have been right. Both Mark and Rusty raced in ASA with their own teams long before they gave NASCAR a shot. For sure, today's driver wouldn't want to get their hands dirty working on the cars with maybe the exception of Tony Stewart, though I'm not really sure about him. But hey, it isn't only in NASCAR that is this way. Its become such a highly technical sport that racing has to have specialists in every position or teams cannot win.
 
Anyone that watched that saccharine interview with Johnson on ABC's prereace show will understand why he's so unpopular.
 
BobbyFord said:
No doubt. He's got about as much charm and charisma as a colonoscopy
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throfl-1.gif
 
I posted a previous thread about the fact that I have eventually cheered for many drivers that I cheered against in their prime. I still do not cheer for Gordon, and I will not cheer for Jimmy. Differnce between Gordon and Johnson, Gordon has talent, he proved it well before he made the switch to cCup in Bill Davis' Busch car. Johnson is a manufactured talent, thriving from a crafty Crew chief and a even craftier car owner. Gordon would have did alright back in the 70's and 80's, Johnson would not even been able to drive a lawn mower on the infield of Charlotte.
 
GREAT AMERICAN RACE FAN said:
I posted a previous thread about the fact that I have eventually cheered for many drivers that I cheered against in their prime. I still do not cheer for Gordon, and I will not cheer for Jimmy. Differnce between Gordon and Johnson, Gordon has talent, he proved it well before he made the switch to cCup in Bill Davis' Busch car. Johnson is a manufactured talent, thriving from a crafty Crew chief and a even craftier car owner. Gordon would have did alright back in the 70's and 80's, Johnson would not even been able to drive a lawn mower on the infield of Charlotte.
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I was going to post a big long well thought out rebuttal, but instead I can sum up my response in one word.

Junior.
 
I think the bottom line of it is something I have said many times before. People hate anyone who wins more than their favorite driver. To sit and say I don't think drivers like Johnson, Gordon, Busch or whoever else knows anything about cars and can't work on them etc... is nothing more than an excuse to hate them. It is saying that they don't fit the Southern Nascar driver stereotype. They aint the spittin skoal, drinking beer, can't speak proper english rednecks that we all know and love therefore they are wannabe's or have had it all handed to them. It is all hogwash. Myself, I respect talent. I don't care where the driver come from, how they act or talk or whatever else, I respect talent. I picked Jeff Gordon as my favorite driver when I first started watching racing. I felt he was the best on the track. To this day I feel that he is one of the most talented and is a true legend of the sport. I think it is mindless to say that Jimmie has no talent. You do not win four championships in a row under any format without some talent. I also understand that he has a excellent crew chief and car owner. But Chad or Hendrick do not drive the car, Jimmie does. Myself, he is my number 2 driver.
 
Gordon_Fan24 said:
I think the bottom line of it is something I have said many times before. People hate anyone who wins more than their favorite driver. To sit and say I don't think drivers like Johnson, Gordon, Busch or whoever else knows anything about cars and can't work on them etc... is nothing more than an excuse to hate them. It is saying that they don't fit the Southern Nascar driver stereotype. They aint the spittin skoal, drinking beer, can't speak proper english rednecks that we all know and love therefore they are wannabe's or have had it all handed to them. It is all hogwash. Myself, I respect talent. I don't care where the driver come from, how they act or talk or whatever else, I respect talent.
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Not true from my side. I've NEVER said I hate Jimmie --- I admire the hell out of his talent. For some reason, I just don't feel like rooting for him --- same with Jeff, and several other drivers.

I don't care if a driver is not the stereotypical Southern driver --- I don't care if they are so PC it's funny.

Everyone alive reacts to people differently. Sometimes the dislike is just indescribable. There's no rhyme or reason, it's just there.
 
TexasRaceLady said:
Not true from my side. I've NEVER said I hate Jimmie --- I admire the hell out of his talent. For some reason, I just don't feel like rooting for him --- same with Jeff, and several other drivers.

I don't care if a driver is not the stereotypical Southern driver --- I don't care if they are so PC it's funny.

Everyone alive reacts to people differently. Sometimes the dislike is just indescribable. There's no rhyme or reason, it's just there.
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I'm in the same boat with Jimmie, I don't like or dislike the guy but I do think he is an amazing driver. Like someone said above, you don't win 4 championships in a row on pure luck.
 
TexasRaceLady said:
Not true from my side. I've NEVER said I hate Jimmie --- I admire the hell out of his talent. For some reason, I just don't feel like rooting for him --- same with Jeff, and several other drivers.

I don't care if a driver is not the stereotypical Southern driver --- I don't care if they are so PC it's funny.

Everyone alive reacts to people differently. Sometimes the dislike is just indescribable. There's no rhyme or reason, it's just there.
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I understand what you are saying, and you make a valid point. I was more referring to some of the other comments that had been made in the forum. I am not making the blanket statement that this is why EVERYONE likes or dislikes him. I am making a statement in ref. to the others.
 
thing is i really don't like ANY of the drivers we got now guess that and what the daytona mafia is doing to the sport is the reason i haven't been to a race in several years and since i can't get network channels where i live haven't watched but a few races in as many years. frankly all the drivers in the top 10 this year are way to boring for my taste, yes even tony. just really can't put my finger on one thing but i don't know the sport i once truly loved is no longer with us and that is a shame !
 
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