and in the center of it all, dale Earnhardt, jr.
10/29/2013
Jim Fitzgerald
This may seem like a paradox, but play along. It is a truly unique phenomenon, but we sure see a lot of it. It is unique in the fact that we really do not see this in any other sport, but we see a lot of it in our sport, and it usually has to do with one topic. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. First, the basics, if we could.
A race weekend approaches. A race is held. A race is completed. A winner is declared. The points are tallied. Interviews are held. A race weekend wanes.
Somewhere, in all of that chaos, could be the catalyst. There are forty-three drivers whipping around any given race track on any given weekend between and including February and November. Sometimes they run into each other, sometimes not. Sometimes things happen, some in the control of others, and some so far out of reach you could not possibly even fathom it happening, until it does. Somewhere, within all of that, there is sometimes a catalyst. A spark is ignited and a fire is set, and that fire burns so deep within the hearts of the race fans that they cannot help but climb to the top of the highest mountains, through swirling winds and on rocky ledges, leaping heartless chasms with torches in hand, and they reach the peak and shout down into the valleys which lie below for all the world to hear.
And at the center of it all, the fire, the spark, the catalyst and the chaos, is usually Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
You cannot help but admire that fire. A completely, honestly rabidly loyal legion of fans who have covered themselves in multiple 8’s and will never, ever, turn their back on their driver. And when they feel that their driver has become a victim, oh, it is woe to those who have perpetrated such a heinous crime. The wagons are circled and the brothers in arms stand side by side, ready to attack, and make right what they believe is so very wrong. Ask a few members of “Junior Nation” about Richmond in 2008. M&M sales may still be suffering and never be the same again. Being a great fan of a great driver is one of the things that makes our sport great, and there is nothing wrong with that.
Can too much be a bad thing, though? As with anything, there can always be a negative impact.
Since about 2004, NASCAR has been using the “Green-White-Checkered” rule for the end of the race in an effort to make the race finish under green flag racing conditions. The caution flag would be displayed and the race would be given three opportunities to finish as such, and if a caution were to still come out after the third attempt had begun, the race would end. Another piece of this rule is that after the leader takes the white flag on any given attempts, or during the normal race, the race would be concluded should a caution flag be displayed.
For nine years, give or take a minor glitch here or there, that system worked fine, and not often were harsh words spoken against it.
Enter: Talladega. Last week, there was a situation where the white flag had been displayed, and a caution flag was thrown as Austin Dillon’s car was flung up into the air after contact was made with Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was in second place at the time. The checkered flag was shown, and Jamie McMurray was awarded the victory
“Let’s go, y’all. We’re gonna climb this mountain and shout from the peak. Junior’s been wronged, and it’s time for change or the world will pay!”
That is probably not a direct quote, but the sentiment remains the same. However, there was a catalyst. And then a spark, and then social media and radio stations were set afire with folks clamoring for a rules change which would have allowed Dale Earnhardt, Jr. the opportunity to make a move for the win. There were ideas about abolishing the white flag rule, restarting them on the back stretch, and heck, one fellow even said that if the crash happened on the last lap, everyone who was in front of the cars involved should still be allowed to race back to the line. There were some who didn’t even know what they wanted, as long as it wasn’t what they already had. “Darn it, Junior should have won that race!, and we need a change!”
Change is good, but for the right reasons. The Junior Nation Army was quite loud last week, which is great. Speak your mind!! But they should be cautioned. The rule changes which are being asked for now may one day come back to bite them. Imagine what would happen if Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was in the lead on the final lap and the caution came out. What if Kyle Busch were to pass Junior before they got back to the start-finish line?
“Oh, such woe! Back up on the mountain, kids. We’ve got some shouting to do!”
Now, the mass mob of Dale Earnhardt, Jr. fans is certainly not the only group who will ever speak out, nor should they be. They just happen to be very loud when they do speak. Perhaps it is the sheer number of members of this not so elite fan base for Dale Earnhardt, Jr. which makes the fervor so impressive? Maybe is just seems like the fans are so rabid because there is strength in numbers. Whatever the reason, the voice is loud, and it is clear. “We love our driver.”
There are forty-three of those driver’s circling the track each week. There is randomness in the Cosmos, and patterns in the chaos. There are stories to be told and there are those which have yet to be written. Microscopic dust particles will collide with each other, and we’ll be none the wiser. Trophies will be won, sheet metal will be crumpled, deals will be struck, and legends will be made. The fans will be there to boo, or to cheer, and there will be Championship won, and Championships lost. All of these things, and more, like so many ingredients stirred into a pot, prepared for our consumption as a banquet fit for a king.
And at the center of it all, for right now, at least, is Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
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