Another Viewpoint Archives

Debbi Willis, Daw613@bigfoot.com

Ideals

With all positions of high esteem comes the ultimate responsibility to be spotlessly admirable in personal actions, words and performance. The political scandals in our country for the last two years have proven that! Being the reigning champion of Winston Cup racing is a position of high esteem. However, our reigning champion appears to view it as only one more notch in his belt or jewel in his crown. Even after matching the King's record of SEVEN championships, Dale Earnhardt never appeared to take it for granted or expect to always win. Eternally grateful to his fans, his family, his team and all else important to him for being able to do what he loves most, Dale Earnhardt like the Nascar champions before him, sets an example worthy of admiration even in the light of his fierce competitive nature.

With a motto like "Refuse to Lose" (which only SOUNDS intimidating but isn't), and his PR people seeking more ways to market Jeff Gordon, his motto is more of a slogan instead! Slogans are catch phrases used to market products; whereas, mottos are maxims adopted as principals of behavior. Jeff Gordon allowed himself to be made a product. Products are produced to create a profit. Profit is seeking money. There's no doubt Jeff Gordon likes money, that's obvious by the way he gets so excited about the Winston Millions and his championship checks at the banquet last year. Even his interviews reek of his feelings about his awesome earnings. Somewhere very wise, says the 'Love of money is the root of all evil'.

Remarks in victory lane after nearly wrecking Jeff Burton to win a Winston Million last year, risking everyone on the last laps of Daytona this year to win and the rumors of cheating combined with the largest fines for cheating when caught all sets the stage for a not so spotless example. Even missing practice at Charlotte last year while out with step-dad seeking to get rid of opposition to him, shows where his priorities are. Hardly the type of behavior children should emulate! If someone has nothing to hide, then it should never matter who likes or dislikes you, just that you are doing the job you are paid to do and able to love it too. All racers love their jobs, otherwise they wouldn't risk themselves for the fans.

A recent news blurb boasts that a "new" standard to be successful in this sport has been set by Jeff Gordon. So, now if someone has talent and wants to race, that person had better be prepared to skyrocket like Gordon! I wonder if that is why we experienced the musical drivers all last year? Some of the drivers who lost rides, barely had a chance to prove themselves. With all the upcoming talent and rising stars on the horizon, what a shame that the media should be so blind as to serve such a lame idea!

Naturally, everyone loves to win, and Jeff Gordon fans definitely love their winner! In reality, some fans have turned away though because of the fairytale-like champion. However, acheiving a high level of excellence doesn't always mean winning either. Despite our instant gratification society that our children are growing up in, winning isn't always everything but doing your best is or should be. As the Boy Scouts have taught Cub Scouts since their beginning, doing your best is ALL you can do and includes personal integrity. Mark Martin epitomized doing his best against all odds, against personal losses, and against the only Hendricks team that was successful last year. And the Burton brothers showed us recently how competition really works. Many other drivers gave us wonderful weekly shows of good racing, yet only one grabbed the spotlight week after week. Thankfully, this season is starting out a bit different.

There are tarnishes on the crown of Nascar's reigning champion and if any of the rumors are true, those tarnishes are well-earned. Whenever a new rumor comes about or the truth leaks out, it's obvious there must be something to be concerned with or the Gordon PR camp wouldn't kick into so much action to refute whatever has come to light. It would be better not to have anything to refute and be ever wary of being "discovered", than to pursue gray areas for the edge to win at all costs. Cloak and dagger mystery is unbecoming of a family oriented sport like Nascar. Even though the roots of Nascar may have started in an illegal business (moonshine running), and rules have been bent and tested before and will be again, usually the success of a champion came from the skill and fire of the team and driver, not in the gray areas.

Another Viewpoint Home