Gordon: Either love him or hate him

[Ironranger]

Found this on Nascar.com website. Interesting explanations...

Gordon: Either love him or hate him

By Marty Smith, Turner Sports Interactive

January 3, 2002

10:45 AM EST (1545 GMT)

Marty Smith

Although the seven days since my last contribution are a blur, lost somewhere between packaging tape, moving boxes and cold Budweiser, I am quite certain that my inquisition as to why Jeff Gordon is booed so often struck a major nerve among the NASCAR.com readership base.

Gordon is either deeply beloved or utterly despised -- there is no in-between. Admittedly, I figured as much, but I’m still taken aback by the ferocity with which you responded.

Having now received thousands of responses -- some so vicious, it’s honestly scary -- I will share a few so that you, too, might either nod your head in agreement or shake your head in bewilderment.

Like I said, the in-between is non-existent on this issue.

Your emails provided me with lessons in history and fashion, not to mention a look the current state of the human race. I even had one gentleman explain to me that one could determine a man’s sexuality by the types of shoes he wears, saying that Gordon always wears “homosexual footwear.”

Whatever, freak. Gordon wears fire retardant racing shoes most of the time. So does Jimmy Spencer, and I dare you to tell Spencer he’s gay.

Anyway, here are some excerpts from various emails, and my feeble attempt at explaining the anti-Gordon phenomenon.

Lee from Raleigh, N.C., sent a multi-faceted response that touched on several issues, but focused mainly on how the dislike for Gordon originated in the Southland, where the vast majority of Winston Cup talent stems from and fans hold their heritage in the highest regard:

“Jeff is not a down home, Southern-bred redneck like many of the drivers and fans in NASCAR. I believe that started the boos.

"He wasn't ‘one of them’ and they just booed him for the heck of it. When he started winning and dominating, that just intensified the boos from those people.

"He was an outsider who came in and dominated and beat all the ‘good ol' boys’.”

I found his explanation to be very intriguing.

Back in 1993, when Gordon arrived on the Winston Cup scene, that assessment was possibly more accurate. Now, however, I don’t buy it.

Of the approximately 50 drivers employed by Winston Cup teams in 2001, nearly half hail from a zip code not located in the “traditional South.” The ever-expanding fan base is a further testament to that.

If Gordon is disliked because he’s not Southern, then why aren’t others relentlessly booed? If that were the case, shouldn’t Steve Park and Kevin Harvick hear the hate?

Park is a Yankee from New York, Harvick a surfer punk from California, right? What gives? They’re Big E’s disciples, for one reason.

From most of the email responses I received, folks feel as if Gordon is the consummate anti-Earnhardt, which probably couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Sure, they came from entirely different backgrounds in different racing eras and most certainly appeal to different types of folks. But both took NASCAR to plateaus never reached prior to their arrival on the scene.

The mutual respect built because of that will forever link them.

Earnhardt wasn’t just a great racer. He was also a marketing genius. Likewise for Gordon. His face is everywhere, leading me to discuss one interesting aspect about American sports culture.

American sports fans hate to see the same guy win all the time -- unless, of course, it’s their guy. Several of you voiced that that’s why you dislike Gordon so much.

Ted, who didn’t tell me where he’s from but seems cool as ****, wrote this:

“MOST people hate a winner! I am not a Gordon fan, I am committed to Earnhardt and his company. But remember when Dale was booed relentlessly when he was winning, but later in years after Jeff made his push, Dale started to be cheered. Why? He was the underdog.

“Americans LOVE the underdog! Why? Maybe we all still believe the fairy tales we read as children. Look at how Dale Jr was cheered in Daytona, after his win. Why? It was a fairytale ending.”

Gordon’s fairy tale career has become more cause for hatred. In just nine years on the circuit he’s already won more than 50 races and four championships.

At that pace, he’ll eclipse Earnhardt and Richard Petty, both seven-time champions, by 2011.

An Earnhardt fanatic named Paul gave some interesting insight along those same lines:

“The answer is simple ... Dale Earnhardt fans are secretly scared to death that Jeff could possibly win eight or more Winston Cup championships.

"I have respect for Jeff Gordon, and think he is one of the best ever. However, I think it will be another 7-10 years before he receives the respect he deserves.”

Remember, Big E didn’t gain respect and admiration right away either. He was booed at one time, too, back when he was planting ol’ D.W. -- yet another storied boo-ee -- into fences at Richmond. Earnhardt even said once that he enjoyed being booed on Sunday, because that meant he would be going to the bank on Monday.

Truer words would be tough to find. Now, Earnhardt is probably the most beloved and respected driver ever. Will Gordon ever achieve that type of following?

That’s tough to say. Despite the boos, he has a gargantuan fan base. At least half of the emails I received were in his defense, all saying that jealously is the bottom line for the booing. I tend to agree.

The funniest response I got actually came from my old man -- a worldly lad but certainly still an old southern boy at heart, and one quite educated on the history of our sport.

“Son, I think I have some insight on why he is booed by some of the "red-neck" nation:

"1. Clean-cut family man. Unlike some of his detractors, I'm sure that Jeff's family tree does 'branch.' "2. Didn't haul liquor or sugar in the past -- nor did any of his ancestors, as far as I know.

"3. He wins! Clean and often because he is very good and has a very good team. And finally, forty years ago, when I attended a lot of races, there was a driver named Fred Lorenzen. He was booed much like Jeff is today, and for many of the same reasons.

"Many of the 'necks worshiped Curtis Turner, Junior Johnson, Lee Petty, etc., just because they were proven 'shine' runners before they got into racing. The 'necks could, and still do, identify with them but had a hard time identifying with guys like Jeff and Fred.”

Killer email, Dad, and right on.

Gordon has what we all want: Good fortune, good looks, a squeaky-clean image, a beautiful wife, more money than his great grandchildren’s great grand children could ever spend and, not to mention, he’s one of the most talented and accomplished racers in motorsports history.

It’s true. Some people just don’t want to accept it.

[JimT]

Re: Gordon: Either love him or hate him

It shoudl say a beautiful ex wife...lol. He does not bother me. He is a good racer, there is no doubt about it. When a race gets going I choose who I would like to see win. I am not a huge fan of Nascar, but it holds my attention some for sure.

[Guest deldeer]

Re: Gordon: Either love him or hate him

first off im a gordon fan,i remember when dale sr. was booed a lot. a lot of people don't realize gordon is as good as he because sr. helped him out so much. i think some people boo just to boo, i have seen that first hand at "dega", dude dressed in rainbow colors from head to toe!!!????? this guy was booing him & giving him the bird on the parade lap!!!! but i think most of it comes from the fact that most think he did'nt pay his dues, rose to the top to fast......jmo..

[Ironranger]

Re: Gordon: Either love him or hate him

Yes, I remember when Dale wasn't well like either. I really enjoyed seeing Dale on hunting shows too(Realtree if I remember right) and felt connected in that way too. I'd be the first to admit that I had some tears welling up when he died and even though I'm not a huge fan I was really torn up for awhile over his death. Jeff did learn alot from Dale and the lessons have served him well.