Dale Jr's taken a lot of heat since Sunday from just about every corner of the racing world and blogsophere. But he didn't let the brutal week end before doing the right thing. He called Brian Vickers and apologized for the wreck heard 'round the world.
Whether Vickersgate was intentional or not is a moot point. What matters to Junior Nation, is that once again, their driver "manned up" and took the hard road--because it was the right thing to do.
There are tons of reasons why folks initally pick Junior as their favorite driver. But the reason so many fans stay loyal to him come hell or highwater is because of Junior himself--not his father, not his track record, and not his marketing.
He may not be the smoothest talker or have multiple championships under his belt, but Junior is who he is and he makes no apology for that. There are folks who likely think Junior's every move, and even his apology to Brian Vickers, are all part of a public relations ploy to further ingratiate himself with race fans. But if that's the case, the man deserves an Oscar. You can fake smarts and you can fake professionalism, but you can't fake real. And that's what Junior is.
Dale Jr is like your Uncle Ervin, your brother Clint and your buddy Jimmy all rolled into one. He's the type of guy you might find in the stands at the I-20 Dirt Track, fishing on Smith Lake or gettin' loud and knockin' back a few at the Stumble Inn Bar and Grill. He reminds you of someone who can change your oil, build a deerstand, and make you laugh at the same time. He looks comfortable in camo, at ease in a pick-up and dressed up in blue jeans.
In short, Junior is good people. And that goes a long way with folks who know good people when they see them.
Showing posts with label Junior. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Junior. Show all posts
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Some Broadcast Tips for the Boys at FOX
After watching the Daytona 500 on Fox Sunday, I can’t help but think that the boys at Fox need a bit of advice.
Not that I have anything against Darrell Waltrip, Larry Mac and co., but I don’t watch a race to see music-laden cartoons of a hapless gopher and cutaway segments for Ask.com.
If the folks at FOX want to keep this race fan happy, and keep me from switching to MRN coverage, here’s a few pieces of advice:
1. Limit your on-screen graphics. I can’t tell you how many times during the race I felt like I was looking around and even through the graphics to see what was happening on the track. I want to see the race. Not experiments in how many cool stat boxes you can fit on screen at the same time.
2. Call it like you see it. If you’ve been to a race or ever listened to coverage by MRN radio, you’ll know what I mean. Sure the guys in the Hollywood Hotel are entertaining, but they sometimes forget to call the race (especially when they’re doing a sponsored segment). And sometimes, when they do call the race, they lack the excitement that makes MRN so fantastic. Pay attention, tell me what's happening and get hyped up boys – it’s racing!
3. Radio chatter – I want more. Of course, if I’m watching Direct TV I can listen to chatter all I want. But it would behoove the folks at FOX to pay heed to this snippet of advice: don’t leave out this most interesting discourse of all. This is what fans really want to hear. Take, for instance, Junior’s threat to meet Brian Vickers in the garage after the race. Fox didn’t play it. I had to read that online. Remember, drama sells. And some of the best drama can be heard on team radios.
4. Commercials, is there no end? I know commercials pay the bills. And I’m thrilled that there are corporate sponsors who still find room in their advertising budgets for NASCAR air time. But could you please limit the number of commercial interruptions and run some ads on the bottom of the screen instead? Though this seems to contradict my first point, I stress that one commercial at a time, while the race continues above, would not bother me in the least. It would be a blessing.
Truly guys, I wish you no ill-will. You work hard, you’re funny and you clearly know what you’re talking about. Just please lessen this fan’s race-watching frustrations and consider my advice. It would make this fan, and a host of others, real happy.
Not that I have anything against Darrell Waltrip, Larry Mac and co., but I don’t watch a race to see music-laden cartoons of a hapless gopher and cutaway segments for Ask.com.
If the folks at FOX want to keep this race fan happy, and keep me from switching to MRN coverage, here’s a few pieces of advice:
1. Limit your on-screen graphics. I can’t tell you how many times during the race I felt like I was looking around and even through the graphics to see what was happening on the track. I want to see the race. Not experiments in how many cool stat boxes you can fit on screen at the same time.
2. Call it like you see it. If you’ve been to a race or ever listened to coverage by MRN radio, you’ll know what I mean. Sure the guys in the Hollywood Hotel are entertaining, but they sometimes forget to call the race (especially when they’re doing a sponsored segment). And sometimes, when they do call the race, they lack the excitement that makes MRN so fantastic. Pay attention, tell me what's happening and get hyped up boys – it’s racing!
3. Radio chatter – I want more. Of course, if I’m watching Direct TV I can listen to chatter all I want. But it would behoove the folks at FOX to pay heed to this snippet of advice: don’t leave out this most interesting discourse of all. This is what fans really want to hear. Take, for instance, Junior’s threat to meet Brian Vickers in the garage after the race. Fox didn’t play it. I had to read that online. Remember, drama sells. And some of the best drama can be heard on team radios.
4. Commercials, is there no end? I know commercials pay the bills. And I’m thrilled that there are corporate sponsors who still find room in their advertising budgets for NASCAR air time. But could you please limit the number of commercial interruptions and run some ads on the bottom of the screen instead? Though this seems to contradict my first point, I stress that one commercial at a time, while the race continues above, would not bother me in the least. It would be a blessing.
Truly guys, I wish you no ill-will. You work hard, you’re funny and you clearly know what you’re talking about. Just please lessen this fan’s race-watching frustrations and consider my advice. It would make this fan, and a host of others, real happy.
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