Complaint: Why is a guy in Long Island, New York writing about NASCAR?
A: That comment is dumber than the asphalt parking lot I’m looking at through the window of my office. But more than that, it’s a hypocritical complaint. NASCAR fans tend to gripe that they don’t get recognition as a Big Four sport in the mainstream media despite outpacing every one of them except football in many measuring sticks. And yet, when somebody sees something I write that they don’t like, they throw out some “You must be too busy covering the Yankees to know anything about NASCAR” line. In other words, you beg for coverage, and then when you get it and it’s not exactly what you want to hear, you ask that the offending outlet of opinion close its shop.
If you have a problem with one of my opinions, argue with me on the merits. But the whole New York thing is weak and childish. And by the way, as I’ve mentioned before, I’m originally from North Carolina. Don’t embarrass yourself further.
Complaint: I only like the whiny corporate-sellout drivers.
A: No, I like professionals. This is another area where NASCAR aficionados, maybe unintentionally, become a little two-faced. Fans laud the fact that NASCAR drivers are so much more down-to-earth, accessible and good-natured than many of those who occupy the top spots in other sports. And yet, the second someone becomes too agreeable to the media, sportsmanlike or kindhearted, he has officially become a “wussy. “
I will contend that many fans who support the supposed “outlaw” drivers, because they go against the grain, would dismiss the same behavior by athletes in other sports as “thuggery. ” And if they witnessed said thuggery with non-NASCAR loving friends at a bar, they’d respond with, “I’m glad my NASCAR drivers don’t act like that. ” Huh?
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