December 7, 2005

By Rebecca Gladden

On an episode of the 70's TV series M*A*S*H, Corporal Radar O'Reilly looks for a missing item by searching methodically "from Nurse Able to Sergeant Zale." Explains Radar, "I try to use the alphabet whenever possible."

With that practical idea in mind, I present my list of "NASCAR Drivers 2005 - From Admirable to Zealous."

For each letter of the alphabet, I have chosen a personality trait and paired it with the Nextel Cup driver who best personified it this season. The list not only provides a look back at some of the year's compelling and colorful characters, but also recalls some of its memorable moments. Not all of the features listed are flattering, but that would make for a pretty boring list, wouldn't it?

Admirable - Deserving the highest esteem.
Kyle Petty:    Kyle finished the season in 27th place with two top-10 finishes, including an 8th at Bristol in April. But it was Petty's accomplishments off the track that earned him recognition this year. In November, Petty became the first stock-car driver in history to be nominated for the Sports Illustrated "Sportsman of the Year" award. Petty was recognized for his tireless efforts on behalf of the Victory Junction Gang Camp for seriously ill children, which he and wife Pattie founded in honor of their son Adam, who died in a 2000 racing accident. Regarding the Petty nomination, SI writer Lars Anderson said, "Put simply, he's got the biggest heart in American sports today."

Brash - Hasty and unthinking; impetuous.
Robby Gordon:    As owner/driver of his 2005 Cup team, Gordon's year was marked by frustrating events. In the 29 races he ran, Gordon had 13 DNF's and finished 37th in points. In September, Robby was the prime player in a bizarre racing incident in New Hampshire. After trading paint with Michael Waltrip, he tried to back his car into Waltrip's as it came around the track under caution. Failing that, he threw his helmet at Waltrip's car and later called Waltrip a "piece of sh*t" on national TV. Gordon then auctioned the helmet on eBay to raise money for hurricane Katrina victims. Said Gordon of the incident, "I let my emotions get the better of me and I apologize."

Composed - Calm and self-possessed.
Jimmie Johnson:    Johnson finished the 2003 season second in points to Matt Kenseth, and the 2004 season second in points to Kurt Busch. This year, he headed into the season finale at Homestead (you guessed it) second in points. Once again, a championship was not in the cards for Jimmie, as a blown tire on Lap 127 sent the 48 car into the wall and out of the race. Jimmie would've received a pass for refusing a TV interview in the garage, even for kicking his car or throwing a towel - drivers have done far worse with far less at stake. Rather, he demonstrated incredible grace under pressure, facing the cameras and stating, "I lived my whole life for this. End up blowing a tire and being out. That's part of it. But I'll be back next year."

Disappointing - Not up to expectations or hopes.
Kurt Busch:    In his speech at last year's awards banquet, 2004 Cup Champ Kurt Busch, acutely aware of his unfavorable reputation with fans, said, "I'm going to do my best to be the kind of champion this year that everyone will be proud of." One year and several negative incidents later - most notably a recent arrest on a reckless driving charge - Busch was again confronting questions about his temperament. As NBC's Bill Weber reported, "(Busch) realizes in the last few years he has matured in the seat as a racer, but not as much as a person." Last week, Kurt told reporters, "What has to happen is the real me has to come out. The fans have to get to know the real Kurt Busch better." Ready when you are, Kurt.

Enthusiastic - Having or showing great excitement and interest.
Carl Edwards:    When Carl Edwards says, "I'm just really blessed to be driving these cars," there's no doubt about his sincerity. His infectious smile and trademark victory back flips are testament to the level of enthusiasm he brings to the track each week. But beyond his ebullient nature, Edwards has also delivered impressive results, with four wins and 23 top-10's this year - his first full Cup season. Edwards not only made the Chase but finished third, and was a genuine contender for the title entering Homestead.

Fast - Acting or moving quickly.
Ryan Newman:    While it may not translate to wins on race day, there's no denying Ryan Newman's dominance in qualifying runs. He took the season-long Bud Pole Award again this year, as he has every year since he came to Cup full time in 2002. Ryan's eight poles in 2005 were twice as many as his closest competitor, Elliott Sadler. Newman had 6 poles in 2002, 11 in 2003 and 9 in 2004. He won both poles this year at Atlanta and Texas.

Gutsy - Marked by courage or daring; plucky.
Jamie McMurray:    Whether you agree with his methods or not, it took a certain amount of guts for Jamie McMurray to sign a contract with Roush Racing for the 2007 season while still under contract for 1-1/2 years with Chip Ganassi Racing. McMurray took a calculated risk that Ganassi would release him early, stating, "… I did it because I wanted to go somewhere I thought I could run better and that I could win races. I felt like I gave it three years at Ganassi, and we couldn't get it done." After weeks of uncertainty, he was indeed released early and will be in a Roush Racing car in 2006 - a move made possible in part by Roush's early release of Kurt Busch to Penske racing.

Honest - Marked by or displaying integrity; not deceptive or fraudulent.
Jeff Gordon:    Jeff started the September race in Fontana 10th in points with two races left before the Chase cutoff. After qualifying 6th and finishing 21st, he slipped two spots to 12th, 671 points behind leader Tony Stewart. The four-time Champ already had three wins in 2005, but had also suffered six DNF's. Said Gordon about the California race: "We sucked today. That was pathetic." Jeff on his chances at Richmond: "Who cares where we go? It doesn't matter right now. Everywhere we go, we stink or we're good. I have no idea."

Inconsistent - Not regular or predictable; erratic.
Elliott Sadler:    If you divide the NASCAR season in half, Elliott Sadler's year would have to be called "A Tale of Two Seasons." Through the first 18 races, Sadler had nine top-10 finishes with an average finish of 14.3. At the midway point, he was fifth in the standings and looked like a sure bet to make the Chase for the second year in a row. But things changed drastically in the second half of the season. He had just three top-10's and an average finish of 20.8, missing the Chase cutoff in September and finishing the season in 13th place. Sadler did have four poles this year but was unable to post a win.

Jovial - Characterized by, or given to, joking.
Michael Waltrip:    Of course he has a serious side, but what makes Waltrip a perennial fan favorite is his engaging, folksy sense of humor. Never one to shy away from a microphone, a Waltrip interview is guaranteed to liven up an otherwise dull practice or qualifying session. Examples: Regarding his qualifying runs this season: "We haven't qualified very well this year. Our best starting position was 18th, and that was last week at Dover - and we got that because it rained." Regarding his on-track skirmish with Robby Gordon: "Well it's half my fault. I agreed to race with him."

Keen - Ardent; enthusiastic.
Brian Vickers:    It's easy to forget that just one year ago, Brian Vickers lost his best friend and racing partner Ricky Hendrick in a tragic plane crash near Martinsville Speedway. It was Ricky who had hand-picked Vickers to drive his Busch car, who co-owned Vickers' Cup team, and who spotted for Vickers on race day. The impact of that loss can not be overstated, which is why Vickers is to be commended for his consistently positive attitude in 2005. Though winless this season, Brian did post ten top-10's and finished in the top 20 overall. He also earned a pole at Loudon, which qualifies him to compete in the Bud Shootout come February.

Loyal - Faithful to a person, ideal, custom, cause, or duty.
Mark Martin:    Martin kicked off the 2005 season by announcing the "Salute to You Tour" - his take on a yearlong pre-retirement tour, a la "Rusty's Last Call." But after a series of unprecedented Silly Season twists and turns, car owner Jack Roush pleaded with Martin to stay and race another year, and Mark reluctantly agreed. Asked about his loyalty to Roush, Martin explained, "There's a lot of small reasons, but I think if you go all the way to the root, I think that it is the way I was raised." Given that two drivers this season asked to be released early from contracts to seek greener pastures - and the fact that Martin really did want to retire - his loyalty seems that much more impressive.

Click here for part two....

The thoughts and ideas expressed by this writer or any other writer on Insider Racing News, are not necessarily the views of the staff and/or management of IRN. Although we may not always agree with what is said, we do feel it's our duty to give a voice to those who have something relevant to say about the sport of auto racing.