[PenelopePitStop]

With all the team changes this year, I'm curious what the perspectives are of other members of this forum, which I respect. (Too much to create a Poll. And please don't get hung up on the word "hater".)

Driver vs. Owner vs. Manufacturer ... some examples:

If you were a Jr. fan and an HMS hater, are you suddenly and HMS fan because Jr. is in the stable?

If you were an HMS fan and a Jr. hater, are you suddenly a Jr. fan because Jr. is in the HMS stable?

If you were a Martin fan and a TEI hater, are you suddenly a TEI fan because Martin is in the stable?

If you were a TEI fan and a Martin hater, are you suddenly a TEI hater because Martin is in the stable?

If you were a Gibbs fan and a Toyota hater, were you suddenly a Gibbs hater because he moved to Toyota?

If you were a Stewart fan and a Toyota hater, did you become a Stewart hater because he drives a Toyota?

If you were a Stewart hater and a Toyota fan, did you become a Stewart fan because he drives a Toyota?

Do we switch our fanaticism or enthusiasm based on an individual such as a driver, or based on an owner/team, or based on a manufacturer? Are we loyal to a driver, an owner/team, or a manufacturer?

I know there are many who classify themselves as overall "race fans". That's all well and good. I'd classify myself as a race fan first, driver fan second. Couldn't care less who owns the team, or what type of car they drive. I also know that there have been many more changes than the ones above. These are the ones I chose to focus on.

I'm just curious what y'all think ...

[Phils20]

I wouldn't call myself a Gibbs hater, but since my Father worked on the line at a GM plant, I am GM loyal. I only root for Bobby because of all his years with Chevy, and I can't bring myself to stop pulling for him. That is the only non GM car I can root for!

I hope Tony leaves for a Chevy when his season is over!

I am curious to see what the Jr fans that are Hendrick bashers have to say.

A lot of folks always have said that Jeff and Jimmy are only as good as the cars they have. I bet that tune changes now that Jr is there.

It will all be due to Jr's masterful driving. But Jimmy and JJ will just be hacks driving the best gear!

[tbalt]

I am a fan of all three Gibbs drivers and a GM loyalist as far a personal vehicles. Since they switched to Toyota I'll still root for Tony as well as the other two Gibbs drivers even though it would be nice to see them bach in a Chevy again.

[NascarRacer56]

I am a long time NASCAR fan, and I have always been a fan of the series and all (well most ) of the drivers.

And even those that I don't root for, I certainly don't "hate" them.

As far as manufacturers go, for my personal vehicles, it's got to be a Chevy, but I can respect them all on the race track.

Just don't ask me to buy a Ford.

[BringBackWilkesboro]

I'm very neutral on Jr, but I will come right out and say I consider myself a Hendrick hater. I try to stay pretty neutral, but as a fan of this sport that's hard to do, and I don't think there's any hiding the fact I have issues with 'ol Rick.

As for Martin, he's a sentimental favorite of mine, and i couldn't care less what the Gibbs cars are running since they're all the same now anyway.

[jks812]

I'm a huge Jr fan and I don't like HMS. Jr being there won't change either one of those.
I don't really care what brand they drive. If I like em I could care less if it's a chevy or whatever.
I like Martin and I also still want to see DEI come back and do good.

[wingkey1]

The following sees no target form painted on the initial poster or any subsequent response poster. So any feelings of - "that dimwit placed a shot across our bow" - is wrong.

Do we switch our fanaticism or enthusiasm based on an individual such as a driver, or based on an owner/team, or based on a manufacturer? Are we loyal to a driver, an owner/team, or a manufacturer?

"We" might. "I" don't. So, speaking for "I" - No.

Unfortunately those who rest in the basis for fanatacism and enthusiasm that is directed to or driven by worship or hate of owner, team, manufacturer, sponsor, etc., ad nauseum, miss the element of understanding the "sweet science", if you will, that can only be gained through some form of direct and personal participation (i.e. contribution/participation as member of governing body, owner, team, mechanic, driver). Without this, one is stuck forever in the limited basis for fanatacism and enthusiasm of a non participant. Participation opportunities are everywhere. If there is a local track/series within what one would describe as "reasonable distance", count on the fact they are seeking volunteer help. Sorry, "Couch potatoe" is not an open opportunity.

"Race fan" is kind of an interesting thing. Can be very broad. Can be very narrow. Has meaning for each individually. We might be in here by the defintion of some, then again ---

Guess perhaps we are a fan of motorsports. Fascinated by the applied technology and engineering, applied human wisdom and knowledge, human motor skills, courage, cooperation, applied business and/or engineering accumen (sp?), event and team and series management, the part emotion plays in success and/or failure, sacrifices, etc. When something "happens" on the track or at an event, we see the possible reasons, knowing full well that unless we are directly and personally a part of it, any speculation as to "why" is nothing more than an opinion without credence.

Holy Crap. Lost ourselves again. Duck ought love that mess.

Back to sleep.

[3fanforever]

Well, I certainly don't meet wingkey1's elite status of a fan, since I've never had direct and personal participation in racing. But this "couch potato" has always followed Junior's career and never much liked Rick Hendrick. Even after watching Friday night's excellent edition of "Shifting Gears", which really put in perspective the relationship between Junior and Rick, and why Junior went to the Dark Side, I still don't like Rick Hendrick, and I'm still gonna follow Junior, and root for him to win every race. I'd do that no matter who he drove for. But I hope the only time I see Rick Hendrick in Victory Lane is with Junior and I'll have to look past that. Guess I'm just gonna have to get used to it.

What's intriguing to watch now though, is all those "Red Army" fans who dropped Junior for going to the Dark Side. How dare he go to work for Rick Hendrick, they said. They would never support any driver of the Dark Side, even Junior. Now that Junior's won 2 for 2 in Daytona, they're jumping back on the band wagon. Those are the definition of fickle fans, if not worse.

There will always be place in my heart for DEI because of the history of that company. That will never change, even as much as I don't like where it is now. And it doesn't matter who's driving for Teresa. Although I do like Martin Truex, Jr., I believe he won't be there next year. I wish them well in the future.

[suedon70]

Well, I still strongly dislike Junior, and that hasn't changed since he became a teammate of Jeff & Jimmie. If he wins several races this year, makes the Chase & then makes a strong showing in the Chase and/or wins, then I might have to finally give him props.....

Ugh, I think I just threw-up in my mouth at that thought!!

[salysenior]

you'all take this stuff too seriously....it's a stock car race, not american idol....nascur has been very successfull of making it a clash between personalities as opposed to machines........ala w. w. f. ...not wrestling,BUT,WHO is wrestling.....:icon_popcor n:

[salysenior]

world champion thred stopper.....

[SteelPhoenyx]

I don't hate any owner. Less than fond of TEI, but still have respect for Martin & Truex Jr. I have no issue with Hendrick, and while I like Jr. he's not my absolute favorite... I think his move was a good one for him. Toyta with Gibbs... well, I think that was a beneficial move on both their parts. They did very well this weekend.

If Matt Kenseth or Clint Bowyer were to move to an owner I wasn't fond of, or switched rides, it wouldn't bother me. Now if a driver I absolutely DESPISED *coughJPMcough* were to, say, move to RCR (please never let it happen!) I'd continue to be a fan of RCR, but I'd still hate that driver.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by 3fanforever

What's intriguing to watch now though, is all those "Red Army" fans who dropped Junior for going to the Dark Side. How dare he go to work for Rick Hendrick, they said. They would never support any driver of the Dark Side, even Junior. Now that Junior's won 2 for 2 in Daytona, they're jumping back on the band wagon. Those are the definition of fickle fans, if not worse.

Now you've got me intrigued, 3FF. Do you really think or know of members of the former "Red Army" who dropped Jr. because he joined The Dark Side?

And I agree, if any "fan" did drop their allegiance to Jr. for joining HMS, then jumped back on the bandwagon because he has done well so far, is truly a fickle fan ... actually ... not a fan at all in my book. Fans who follow whoever is the winningest (is that a word?) or most popular driver have no backbone. My aunt, who I love dearly, was a diehard Gordon fan for as long as I can remember. Now, she's dumped Gordon, and just loves Johnson. Off topic, but I don't get these fans who only cheer for one driver.

I stuck with Sr. through the good and the bad ... stuck with Jr., and will continue to ... Stewart has me perplexed at times, not for his talent, but for his behavior, which, at times, I believe is justified. I don't care how much he weighs, how long his hair is, or if he shaves or not! And the reverse can be said for the drivers that I don't like. It takes a lot to get "off my list" in every aspect of my life ... personally, professionally, and in sports. But once you're "off", there's no coming back. I won't get into the drivers who are "off my list" ...

[bob101]

I'm not a part of the "red army", but I have always rooted for Jr. to do well. I always wanted him to win and felt bad when he didn't. I thought he had too much on his plate at DEI trying to win races, protect the family name, and make sure the doors stayed open.

Now that he has joined Hendrick tho I can honestly say if his engine blows on the 3rd lap I can say "Good, one hendrick car down 3 more to go". Kinda dissapointed he was the only Hendrick car running at the end this week. I was hoping 4 for 4.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by bob101

Now that he has joined Hendrick tho I can honestly say if his engine blows on the 3rd lap I can say "Good, one hendrick car down 3 more to go". Kinda dissapointed he was the only Hendrick car running at the end this week. I was hoping 4 for 4.

Made me nervous with all the other HMS cars out. Happy to see them go, but I was hoping Jr. would have a better run. At least lead a lap for the points. Alas, that didn't happen.

Haven't made my way through all the new related Threads yet, but overall was a good race. Happy to see anyone but Gordon or Johnson win!