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Debbi Willis, Daw613@bigfoot.com

Mutual Respect

Ever notice how most dog owners actually tend to look like or possess the characteristics of the dog they choose? In the same respect, ever notice how fans of various drivers possess many of the same characteristics of the driver they follow? I have. In my personal quest for understanding why folks like whomever they do, AND what makes some fans so much more different than others, I realized it's all related to taste and preferences which in turn, are related to personal characteristics. I would wager if when considering friends who like certain drivers, you'd find their personality contains many traits of that drivers style, personality or driving attitude. Friends also realize it's as much the differences as the shared interests that help build the friendship in the first place. Otherwise, how could an Earnhardt fan be writing editorials for a Mark Martin site? So, when relating to friends who like drivers other than your own favorite, Mutual Respect is a valuable asset.

Nine different winners already this season is providing Nascar with the "parity" they so hungered for to justify their musical rules seasons of the past couple years. In the previous years of Gordon's "domination" with Ray Everham, Nascar appeared all too content with their new poster boy for the sport. And I use "boy" purposely here, as he is and will always be as his fans are quick to remind everyone, among the youngest ever drivers to win and be a multiple champion in Nascar. Nine different winners though, brings many other fans out of the woodwork to sing Nascar's praises. And the spread of victory overall HAS been an interesting delight this year. The championship should stay up for grabs longer than it usually has in the recent years, and may be a nailbiter down to Atlanta. With this in mind, and the variety of fans who'll be excitedly watching every move of every driver, Mutual Respect will help minimize damage between friends.

Every driver has their fair share of fans. Some drivers are more popular than others, of course, and whether they do well or not, ALL their fans are always around. In the meantime, friends may find themselves on opposite sides of the fence, just like drivers may find themselves on opposite sides of their friendship after an incident on the track. Last year's Bristol night race will live in infamy for many years to come just as similar incidents have before. One incident like that set an uncomfortable stage for Dale Earnhardt's fans who are friends with fans of other drivers and particularly Terry Labonte's. As has been recently reported, even Dale and Terry have had a hard time moving past that moment and are only now beginning to "heal" their friendship. Dale Jr has already experienced the dread of a bad move on the track when he wrecked Matt Kenseth and cost Kenseth a better challenge to him for the points race in the BGN last year. Dale Jr's remorse was obvious immediately and his effort to patch up and apologize was rewarded by Matt's unique common sense about racing. Through all of it in most cases, Mutual Respect prevails between friends.

Mutual Respect is critical in a passionate, somewhat unpredicable, heat-of-the-moment sport. Personalities and the "Fire Within" take over when least expected. Split second decisions can alter the outcome drastically and more often than not, lead to chain reaction wreckfests for the drivers. Fans of different drivers who are friends also benefit from exercising Mutual Respect. Good friends understand that the very characteristics that attracted you to the person to start out with are probably the same characteristics disliked in that friends choice of driver to follow. By no means, does Mutual Respect mean friends automatically LIKE each others' drivers, but bashing does not become an option simply out of respect for the friends. Bashing in my opinion, is irrational comments made about a driver that causes anything and nothing to become an issue. Disliking or disagreeing with a drivers style is not the same as bashing as there are racing related events to discuss respectfully. However, not everyone is ever going to like everybody, nor do they have to! Thus Mutual Respect is a very useful tool when having friends who like drivers you don't like.

Ultimately, the heart of the sport should prevail: competition. Every driver is after the same goal: the checkered flag. Every fan is after his drivers success in meeting that goal. In the end, the differences are just that: just differences. Differences keep life interesting, and the sport more fun to watch. Mutual Respect keeps friendships in tact and preserves the heart of the sport. When friends remember this aspect of the sport, then the sport remains just that: a mutally enjoyed and shared sport.

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