Another Viewpoint Archives

This was the very first Another Viewpoint, invited by Racin Bob over at Racin Bob's Mark Martin site after a friend sent me an invite to check his site out. I signed the guestbook and he was intrigued and suggested I write a monthly column for his site. For that I will forever be grateful to Bob for the encouragement and friendship. Despite our differences, we managed to be friends. Due to our differences though, I've found it better to seperate our ways. Bob taught me webuilding, kept me on my toes with racing stats and his distinct distaste for Dale Earnhardt and will always be a good friend to me.

Debbi Willis, Daw613@bigfoot.com

THE FIRE WITHIN

I'm a Dale Earnhardt and Mark Martin fan. I don't think drivers come any better than those two and a few others, like Rusty, Dale Jarrett, Bill Elliott, DW, the Burton boys, the Labonte bros (and more, too many to mention!). When I think of Jeff Gordon, which I try not to do too often, but have to since the other half in my house is pro-Gordon (cos I'm pro Earnhardt!), I gotta admit I feel a little sorry for the kid. And in trying to figure out what I dislike about him, I've learned a little about him too.

I wonder what it must be like to grow up with the best of racing handed to you, and your every racing need catered to by a stepdad who lived his life thru you, because you were his stepson and he could afford to do that. I wonder what it must be like to climb into one of the best race cars in one of the best racing divisions without the fire in your belly that tells you no matter what happens, you are racing tonite! I wonder what its like to be programmed and created by another persons dreams from the time you could walk and talk and understand directions, like Jeff Gordon has been, and not know if you would have had those same dreams given the chance to grow into them naturally.

See, I don't think Jeff Gordon has that "fire". He doesn't know what its like to grow up struggling to get the chance to drive anything on four wheels, no matter the color, the age or model of the vehicle. He doesn't know too many disappointments, and poor rides. When times get tough, he's got to be coached through every moment to get to the end. He doesn't know the aloneness in his desire to be a driver. The Golden Boy with the Silver Spoon is a creation of the media, of big business, of his step dad, of his team and crew chief and his image consultant. And that's the shallowness of his greatness, if he is ever to be great like the King and Dale Earnhardt!

In many ways, I have the deepest sorrow for Jeff Gordon due to his fanatical stepdad who imposed his own dreams upon the child at an early age and uprooted the family continuously to meet the ultimate goals that Jeff enjoys now. But, what about Jeff the person, the young man who may actually deeply hate this sport if the truth were told, (no rumors please, this is just an opinion imagined from Jeff's life scenario). What about a Jeff Gordon, who may have wanted to be something else in life but couldn't bear to disappoint dear old stepdad and all he's done for him. Deep down maybe Jeff is far too sensitive (everyone's seen the tears) to survive the onslaught of fan dislike because he is so see thru in the facade his stepdad created. Just what if Jeff hated being uprooted all his life to race? How many sophomores in high school do you know that gladly leap to change high schools then!?

Oh, I know folks who say Jeff could of put a stop to it anytime, but get real! Stepdaddy spent his life seeking the best racing opportunities for Jeffy, and spent a fortune and makes all the sacrifices that go along with an overambitious parent who is determined to create his child's life for him!

That's a difficult situation for any child to buck and with the bucks Jeffy makes today, how can he walk away?? Still the free rides, the mega money, the super management and media hype is all fluff. When times get hard, and the great rides and money disappear, will Jeff still race then or find a way out of it all?

Dale Earnhardt has raised his kids right, let them choose for themselves and let the fire grow within. I'd bet Dale has also tested that fire and challenged the kids at various times to be sure their hearts were in it in order to know it was THEIR desire and not his, and not their idea of riding off daddy's reputation. I don't beleive Jeff ever got that chance. Behind closed doors, I would bet there have been moments when Jeff fought to break free of the vice grip of stepdad on his life but those moments will never be admitted for the sake of the show.

Nevertheless, because he is so much image and hype, I dislike the way he has degraded the heart and soul of Nascar racing and made it more money and business than ever. Only with time will Jeff Gordon go away and the great families of racing will endure with the next generation to lead the way.

Look out, Jeff, Jr is on the way!

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