Top Row Seat - Why I Don't Like Jeff Gordon
Dateline: 07/29/97I get a fair amount of e-mail accusing me of being jealous, or of jumping on the anti-PosterBoy bandwagon. Since the Winston Cup drivers had the week off I thought this would be a good opportunity for me to explain why I don't like the driver of the NASCAR Winston Cup Dupont Chevrolet #24.
Too Aggressive At The Wrong Time
First and most obviously I do not agree at all with his win at all costs driving style. In Richmond at the spring race he was a lap down with just a handful of laps to go and he was selfishly running with the leaders still fighting to get his lap back. During this battle Ernie Irvan claims that PosterBoy took him out and he also made contact with Dale Jarrett and Rusty Wallace. Rusty said at the time "I though it was a little rediculous."
I said it then and I'll say it again. I believe that this poor display of judgement and character shows a real lack of respect for his fellow racers and for the fans. Who knows how great a race it may have been had the leaders not been interfered with.
Then a couple of races later in Darlington PosterBoy uses his front bumper to move Robert Pressley out of his way so he could take the lead just 36 laps into the race. Now I believe that even those who condone using the "chrome horn" to move a driver out of the way would have to agree that it is unreasonable to do so just 36 laps into a race
The most famous incident involving PosterBoy's over aggressiveness this season came in the final lap of the spring race in Bristol. Rusty Wallace was leading as they went into turn three with #24 right behind him. Rusty said that he "got down into turn three and got one of them little love taps." To put it bluntly, PosterBoy took him out.
Now let's contrast this with the finish of the Darlington race where Dale Jarrett was leading with a faster Ted Musgrave right on his bumper. Dale Jarrett admitted after the race that he gave Ted a number of chances to take him out but Ted always lifted, choosing an honorable second place to a tainted win. Ted Musgrave is not booed off the stage everywhere he goes. Ted Musgrave is liked and respected by his fellow drivers. It's a shame the nice guys don't get more recognition.
Attitude, Attitude, Attitude
Now this is a little harder to quantify but I just don't care for his personality. I must admit that I've never met him, and it is possible that he's a wonderful human being. If he is he sure hides it well.
The biggest thing that annoys me is his extreme arrogance. The most noteworthy example of this that I've heard is his comment on the scanner during the Miller 400 in Michigan this year. When Earnhardt and he were having a great side-by-side battle for position late in the race PosterBoy came on the scanner and said, "Who does this [unchristian word deleted] think he's racing?" This statement just totally rubbed me the wrong way. Does he truly believe that no other driver has the right to try to pass him?
What I Want To Have Happen
These days at the race track whenever #24 wrecks or has a mechanical failure there is usually a huge cheer from the crowd. I'm not one of those who is cheering. I don't want him to win, but I want him to lose it on the race track, not in the wall or in the garage. For example I was in heaven during the Talladega race this year. He stepped out of line with just a handful of laps to go and nobody followed him. A whole string of cars went by, dropping him from second back to fifth.
I believe that we will see more of that and even more booing in the future if PosterBoy continues to disrespect his fellow drivers and the race fans who make this sport great.
Go Fast, Turn Left, Stay Safe!
Send your tips, rumors and comments to me at nascar.guide@miningco.com.
