[Quality88]

Originally Posted by SpaceCadet

I have a problem with booing anyone at all for anything unless it's something that could get someone hurt. What ever happened to sportsmanship is sports? I've coached soccer at the beginning level up to the high school level for over 20 years. Never have I allowed my players, especially my own kids to boo at any other team or player or the refs. My husband booed a driver at our local track this year, along with half the crowd, because this driver won his 6th Classic. The guy is just plain good. My son started to follow suit. I can't stop hubby from doing his thing, no matter how much I don't like it, but one look from me told my son his time on earth would be shortened if his behavior continued. What has happened to doing the right thing? Why do fans of NASCAR or any other sport think it's ok to completely forget about sportsmanship? Well, I wasn't raised like that and I choose not to do it or let my kids do it. It's not funny or cool and excusing it is not acceptable for me. I don't believe it is the majority of NASCAR fans who vocally display their displeasure at having foreign drivers on the track. But good sportsmanship is certainly not the norm in the grandstand these days. Sadder yet, it will continue and also continue to be accepted. Well, not by me. Foreign drivers are welcome as long as they can actually drive. I won't boo them or any driver, even when they're constantly having trouble walking because the other foot is always in their mouth.

Alot of sportsmanship has gone by the wayside with the times. I boo Gordon when he wins, but it's the wins that are obviously BS. The win he pulled off at DEGA, I didn't boo( even though I didin't like seein him win) because he pulled off a hell of a win, with a hell of a move at the end. I boo and cuss refs if there is a call they screw up, not if they make the right call. Sportsmanship of old is not of today. My dad would kill me for booin all the time and not lookin at the situation first. He taught me that 15 years ago when I was a kid( LSC, Bob, and RD keep your comments to yourself cause I know in your eyes I'm still a kid compared to you). Sportsmanship doesn't have the same meanin today as it did say 15 years ago. JMO

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

I guess that I'm the contrarian here on this one.

In my mind Winning a World Championship pays dues at least equal to putting in a year in Cup Lite and finishing fifteenth in points.

I figure Franchitti's winning the Indy 500 AND the IRL Championship gives him a leg up over any of the current Non-Cup drivers I see in Cup Lite.

Off hand I'd say Montoya, Villenuenue, Franchitti, and Allmendinger all have better looking resumès than Biffle, McMurray, Johnson, or even Jeff Gordon did when they first drove a Cup car.

Of course I remember much grousing about how Jeff never paid his dues, either. I never did figure out that logic.

I guess "being qualified" and "paying your dues" is all in the eyes of the beholder.

we march arm in arm on this one, Bob.

[Racer Duck]

I'll also add this tidbit: the F1/Indy/Champ/whatever-other-premier-series-you-want-to-mention champions have competed at higher speeds, usually on narrower tracks, and in much worse conditions weather-wise than 99% of the Cup wanna-bes from BCS. that they may have to learn the subtleties of handling a car that weighs 2X as much as they raced in the other series is no different than, for instance, Dave Blaney (WoO Champ) doing the same .. but Dave Blaney never hit 220 mph in his sprint car, nor a BCS car.

[SpaceCadet]

RD and Bob, after reading your posts on the subject of the Indy/F1 drivers going directly to cup, I think your positions on this makes more sense than mine. I believe you may have a "convert" here.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by SpaceCadet

RD and Bob, after reading your posts on the subject of the Indy/F1 drivers going directly to cup, I think your positions on this makes more sense than mine. I believe you may have a "convert" here.

ok, that's 3 of us! any more?

isn't it amazing how clear things get when you remove the emotion and just look at facts?

don't get me wrong: love for the sport is great, and believing your particular brand is the best in the world is even better. but to say just because a particular player/driver isn't qualified to play/drive in yours brand of the sport just because they come from different brand is shortsighted and doesn't acknowledge their achievements nor skills. remember how we all felt when those "sideways" kickers came into the NFL? not many "traditional" ones around today, are there?

[Quality88]

Far be it for me to play the weasel of the bunch Look at this way.... we have more chance of one of those hot heads comin and screwin over the Hendrick bunch. Cause you know as soon as Gordo or Johnson push them to hard, they will retaliate. Possible silver lining? Let them come in.