December 4, 2009
By Rebecca Gladden
Today in Las Vegas, NASCAR will crown its 61st Cup Series champion, Jimmie Johnson.
There has been a lot written about the four-time champ and the fact that, despite being an articulate and attractive ambassador for the sport, fans have generally failed to embrace him.
Meanwhile, Dale Earnhardt Jr., who went winless this season for the second time in three years and finished 25th in points, is about to lock up his seventh straight NASCAR Most Popular Driver award.
This is not meant as a direct comparison of the two racers, however. Instead, their contrasting styles and popularity rankings serve as a jumping-off point for my topic.
Below, I offer my list of the top five character traits that NASCAR fans value in their drivers. Let's see how your favorite driver stacks up in terms of …
1. Respect for the sport's history: NASCAR has a unique cultural and geographic heritage that distinguishes it from other sports. If there is one thing that longtime fans lament, it's the loss of a sense of connection to the names and places that the sport was built upon. Fans appreciate drivers who make a point of acknowledging the heroes of the past.
2. A take-no-prisoners attitude: Dale Earnhardt Sr. didn't earn the nickname "The Intimidator" by riding around at the back of the pack hoping to avoid wrecks, 'big picture racing' or settling for a good day in the points. Cale Yarbrough and the Allison Brothers didn't put NASCAR on the map after the 1979 Daytona 500 by text messaging apologies to each other after contact on the track. Fans want to see drivers who race with heart.
3. Accessibility: NASCAR has grown too huge to revert to the days when drivers could walk through a crowded garage unfettered. But fans still need access to racing's stars and want to be acknowledged and valued as its very raison d'être. Even the most popular drivers in the sport today need to give greater consideration to attending meet-and-greets and autograph sessions at every single race. Racers who take time out for their fans receive immeasurable loyalty in return, to both themselves and their corporate sponsors.
4. Honesty: If there's one thing NASCAR fans do not suffer well, it's feeling that they're being lied to, misled or fed a line. Regardless of the drivers' motivation for doing so - perhaps fear of getting in trouble with the sanctioning body, sponsors or team owners - the competitors will always have the support and respect of the fans if they deal with them truthfully.
5. Humility: There's a big difference between confident and cocky, and fans can spot the latter a mile away. In spite of a driver's on-track talents and accomplishments, fans do not expect or respect rudeness and arrogance from their favorite athletes. A down-to-earth attitude goes a long way toward creating a likeability.
So, race fans - do you agree or disagree? How does my list of favorable character traits stack up to yours? Email me your ideas and I might use them in a future column!
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