Dale Earnhardt
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Dale Earnhardt
Why did NASCAR fans like him so much? I admit, I didn't start watching NASCAR until few years ago, but I have read many books and I have many DVDs about NASCAR history and all of them show Earnhardt as the guy who would always bump other drivers to win. And people seems to like that, they were cheering when he did that.
I remember my first season when I started watching NASCAR. It was in 2004 when Kurt Busch won championship. He would also bump other drivers in order to win and people hated him for a long time. Same thing apply for Juan Montoya now.
What was so special about Earnhardt that people didn't mind his "cheating"?
I remember my first season when I started watching NASCAR. It was in 2004 when Kurt Busch won championship. He would also bump other drivers in order to win and people hated him for a long time. Same thing apply for Juan Montoya now.
What was so special about Earnhardt that people didn't mind his "cheating"?
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Lake of the Ozarks, MO
People could identify with dale. he was just a good ole boy from north carolina who drove fast and rough. People dont like montoya because he blatantly drives rough (see his busch win in mexico?), and they dont identify with or understand him.
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Originally Posted by jomac11
People could identify with dale. he was just a good ole boy from north carolina who drove fast and rough.
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Originally Posted by Red Star
So were Cale Yarborough and Darrell Waltrip. And people never liked them that much, especially Waltrip.
As for Yarborough, alot of people didn't like him because he kind of took the torch from Petty and alot of "die-hards" weren't ready to see anyone besides Petty dominating. ( 3 consecutive championships for Cale )
David Pearson was quite popular and he was cut much from the same mold as Dale. Only years earlier.
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Earnhardt was liked because the fan base changed. Much younger. They like the rock 'em, sock 'em WWF type crap. The more wrecks, the better.
Pearson was nothing like Earnhardt. He is a well liked, professional driver who won with his driving skill, not slam banging to get to the front.
I don't know that Cale was disliked that much. He was very professional also. He carried the first in car television camera which helped the sport immensely.
During the race, he laid back in 2nd, 3rd, and sometimes 4th. Close to the end of the race he was asked if he thought he could win the race. He replied that he didn't know, but in the next few laps he was going to give it a try. He won the race. His fight with Donnie and Bobby Allison at Daytona helped quite a bit also. jd
Pearson was nothing like Earnhardt. He is a well liked, professional driver who won with his driving skill, not slam banging to get to the front.
I don't know that Cale was disliked that much. He was very professional also. He carried the first in car television camera which helped the sport immensely.
During the race, he laid back in 2nd, 3rd, and sometimes 4th. Close to the end of the race he was asked if he thought he could win the race. He replied that he didn't know, but in the next few laps he was going to give it a try. He won the race. His fight with Donnie and Bobby Allison at Daytona helped quite a bit also. jd
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I didn't know that Pearson was disliked. He's probably my favorite NASCAR driver of all time. I can't get enough of watching finishing laps of 1974 Firecracker 400, in my opinion along with '76 Daytona that was best NASCAR race ever.
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From: Appling, GA
I never liked Sr. until he flipped his car at Daytona. He got in the ambulance then got back out, climbed in his car and finished the race. I'll bet none of todays drivers would do that.
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From: wichita kansas
I think that Pearson was very popular and I've never heard of him puting a bumper to anybody although I'd be surprised that in the time in drove that he didn't do it. However I do remember one race when he was in lead with Petty behind him and he all of a sudden slowed down. Petty said he almost wrecked trying to avoid Pearson. The deal was that Pearson wanted to be in 2nd so he could get the win.
DE was loved and hated. I think that most liked his never give up style of driving. Dale didn't have a problem with using the bumper at all. Juan didn't do anything that DE hadn't done a hundred times in his career.
DE was loved and hated. I think that most liked his never give up style of driving. Dale didn't have a problem with using the bumper at all. Juan didn't do anything that DE hadn't done a hundred times in his career.
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: on da beach
Two Ford drivers at the top of my list.
1. Davey Allison
2. Alan Kulwicki
Both are no longer alive, but they were great drivers that drove their hearts out.
Alan Kulwicki was one of the few owner/drivers to win a championship in the modern era.
I liked when the moniker on the front bumper read "Underbird". cool.
Davey would give Dale sr. a run for his money, more times than not.
1. Davey Allison
2. Alan Kulwicki
Both are no longer alive, but they were great drivers that drove their hearts out.
Alan Kulwicki was one of the few owner/drivers to win a championship in the modern era.
I liked when the moniker on the front bumper read "Underbird". cool.
Davey would give Dale sr. a run for his money, more times than not.
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From: Hawkeye Country
People felt comfortable with Dale, he reminded us of ourselves, he was just a regular guy. He did what it took to win, it didn't matter who or what got in his way he raced every race to win. He gave the people what they wanted, it was exciting to watch him race.
He went out every race and he did his job, some days his job was rewarding other times it was abusive, early in his carrier he raced with a broken leg. He was a stand up guy, unlike a lot of the punks out there now.
He went out every race and he did his job, some days his job was rewarding other times it was abusive, early in his carrier he raced with a broken leg. He was a stand up guy, unlike a lot of the punks out there now.
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To tell you the truth, he wasn't liked all that much untill killed hid dumb self, then he became real popular.Before that, he had alot of detractors as well as fans, once he was dead, everyone was a fan. I didn't care for him then and still don't care for him now. Davey Allison was my favorite and he died way too soon.
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Originally Posted by wendell borror
To tell you the truth, he wasn't liked all that much untill killed hid dumb self, then he became real popular.Before that, he had alot of detractors as well as fans, once he was dead, everyone was a fan. I didn't care for him then and still don't care for him now. Davey Allison was my favorite and he died way too soon.
When Terry LaBonte was racing for his championship, in one of the races Earnhardt bumped him, and spun him into the fence. Terry couldn't finish the race. It is said that NASCAR had a little talk with Dale about his "intimidation" tactics, and Dale backed off after that his wins becoming less frequent.
Alan Kulwiki is to be admired. He went up against all the odds, and overcame them. One hell of a role model. One of my top favorites... jd
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Raytown MO
Alan Kulwiki was a gentleman on & off track. I have a small collection of model & diecast cars. The models are his Zerex and the die-cast is the Hooters car.
AMT was set to relaese a Hooters car but pulled the plug since he was killed. They felt it was disrespectful to release it due to his death. Wich I think is great. It would be differnt today.
It really sucks he died in a plane crash.
AMT was set to relaese a Hooters car but pulled the plug since he was killed. They felt it was disrespectful to release it due to his death. Wich I think is great. It would be differnt today.
It really sucks he died in a plane crash.
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From: Marion, VA
Originally Posted by Red Star
So were Cale Yarborough and Darrell Waltrip. And people never liked them that much, especially Waltrip.
With Earnhardt, people either loved him or hated him. Either way, it was as big win for NASCAR. Half of the fans loved him and half hated him--but they all watched.