[Racer Duck]

The "experts" say a male matures somewhere between the ages of 18 and 28. Some mature quicker and others take longer.

Seems many people don't take the maturity factor into consideration with their "appraisals" of the "stars" in their sport(s) of choice.

For instance, in our local Late Model series there's a youngster just 13 years old, who's never driven a Late Model until this year, who has only driven Legends and Allisons, never anything with 400hp and doesn't know how to do anything but flatfoot the accelerator. In the only race he's been in this year, he started 5th (yes, he's fast) and took out the 1st-4th place drivers on the first lap! This kid is not even old enough to get a hardship driver's permit in this state, but is expected to perform at the same level as guys who've been racing longer than he's been alive. It doesn't make matters any better that his parents don't care how much equipment he tears up 'cause they can afford to replace it (they've said so!!!) .. and they don't care if he tears up anyone else's equipment either!

The point is, whether it's the parents or the fans or the sponsors or whoever, these "kids" are pushed to succeed in a world they have no experience in and are expected to get the necessary experience "on the job" and expense be damned.

Personally, I think there needs to be a minimum age rule in every series that "requires" up-coming drivers to spend time honing their skills before they are allowed to advance. 18 is too young in the top NASCAR divisions (sorry Joey.)

I've stated before that I have seen an improvement in Shrub's maturity (remember he's the youngest driver ever to win a Cup race!) That gives me hope that he'll become a "good racer" someday, in all areas, not just speed.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

.

Personally, I think there needs to be a minimum age rule in every series that "requires" up-coming drivers to spend time honing their skills before they are allowed to advance. 18 is too young in the top NASCAR divisions (sorry Joey.)

I've stated before that I have seen an improvement in Shrub's maturity (remember he's the youngest driver ever to win a Cup race!) That gives me hope that he'll become a "good racer" someday, in all areas, not just speed.

Once more, we are of like mind. Prodigies tend to be precocious and generally a pain in the posterior. If NA__AR doesn't watch itself, its racing might end up as bizarre as Olympic gymnastics, where being 16 is considered "Over the hill."

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Once more, we are of like mind. Prodigies tend to be precocious and generally a pain in the posterior. If NA__AR doesn't watch itself, its racing might end up as bizarre as Olympic gymnastics, where being 16 is considered "Over the hill."

actually Bob, 16 is considered "over the hill" in the "feeder leagues". If the prospect doesn't already have a couple seasons seat time by the time he/she is sweet 16, they can't get a good look from folks in the "mid-leagues"...unless daddy buys the seat .. which happens more often than most folks would believe.

[DOF_power]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

The "experts" say a male matures somewhere between the ages of 18 and 28. Some mature quicker and others take longer.

Seems many people don't take the maturity factor into consideration with their "appraisals" of the "stars" in their sport(s) of choice.

For instance, in our local Late Model series there's a youngster just 13 years old, who's never driven a Late Model until this year, who has only driven Legends and Allisons, never anything with 400hp and doesn't know how to do anything but flatfoot the accelerator. In the only race he's been in this year, he started 5th (yes, he's fast) and took out the 1st-4th place drivers on the first lap! This kid is not even old enough to get a hardship driver's permit in this state, but is expected to perform at the same level as guys who've been racing longer than he's been alive. It doesn't make matters any better that his parents don't care how much equipment he tears up 'cause they can afford to replace it (they've said so!!!) .. and they don't care if he tears up anyone else's equipment either!

Personally, I think there needs to be a minimum age rule in every series that "requires" up-coming drivers to spend time honing their skills before they are allowed to advance. 18 is too young in the top NASCAR divisions (sorry Joey.)

First I'd like you to name one Cup driver that didn't wreck anyone in his career.
It seems to me you're confusing maturity with age.

And they're gonna hon their skills how ?!
By that logic every other series bellow is gonna say the same thing (to young for) to the point it end up with them sitting at home (cause they're to young for everything).

By 13 if he didn't learn yet to stop being over-agressive it means probably that he's beyond salvation, that he'll wreck people 5 years from now, 10 years from now 20-30 years from.

[Racer Duck]

It's only partially about experience. It's more about attitude. And with the right attitude, comes maturity.

I don't care who the driver is, the ones that had to work on the cars, and fix the things they broke, whether daddy paid or not, seem to understand taking care of equipment and that you win on the last lap, not the first corner.

Getting experience means making mistakes and learning from them and (hopefully) not making them again. But as long as daddy has the wrong attitude, how can the young racer develop the right attitude?

This 13 year old jumped from a 1300 lb car with a 150 hp motor to a 3000 lb car with a 400 hp motor. There's nothing in his resume that indicates he has the attitude nor experience to be a rookie in a touring Late Model class.

The 2 Davids (Gilliland and Ragan) are perfect examples of what happens when a driver is moved up too fast. If they each had spent another year or two in Cup lite, they would have been much more successful in Cup and torn up a lot less equipment.

[BiscuitMan]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

In the only race he's been in this year, he started 5th (yes, he's fast) and took out the 1st-4th place drivers on the first lap! This kid is not even old enough to get a hardship driver's permit in this state, but is expected to perform at the same level as guys who've been racing longer than he's been alive. It doesn't make matters any better that his parents don't care how much equipment he tears up 'cause they can afford to replace it (they've said so!!!) .. and they don't care if he tears up anyone else's equipment either!

Duck, you didn't tell us if the 13 year old crashed too.

If he tears up someone's equipment other than his, Daddy don't pay. Today, there are numerous "Daddy's" that are will to pay for the development of "Junior".

I understand your concern about "youth" performing at the same levels as adults. You can look at almost any sport today and "kids" are performing at or about the level of many adults. One reason, is the early concentration on the sport. Look at Tiger Woods. He almost had a club in his hand the day he left the delivery room. Reed Sorenson was the national "pro" champion in Legends Cars when he was about 13. Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon were national go-kart and micro-midget champions before the age of 13. They all moved up to faster cars almost immediately. It's just the way things are today.

[Bob Tanner]

For what it's worth (which is obviously nothing, nada, zilch) I have rooted for, pulled for and followed drivers who exhibited traits I admired and respected. In short someone I can relate to. Driving ability is actually a small part of what would draw me to a particular driver.

That being said, colour me old, crotchety, curmudgeonly, old fart-like, whatever, but I just can't see me relating to a kid who has less time on this earth than I do waiting in line to get my drivers license renewed.

I won't even get into the damage done to kids pushed to soon to be their parent's "Golden Parachute."

Children should be seen and not heard. The trouble with prodigy race drivers is after they win some media type stick a microphone in their face and they are encouraged to talk.

I personally think NA__AR should put a minimum age limit of twenty-one on its drivers. I don't relate to many 21 year-olds either but at least they're tolerable.

But then, I'm old...

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by BiscuitMan

Duck, you didn't tell us if the 13 year old crashed too.

If he tears up someone's equipment other than his, Daddy don't pay. Today, there are numerous "Daddy's" that are will to pay for the development of "Junior".

I understand your concern about "youth" performing at the same levels as adults. You can look at almost any sport today and "kids" are performing at or about the level of many adults. One reason, is the early concentration on the sport. Look at Tiger Woods. He almost had a club in his hand the day he left the delivery room. Reed Sorenson was the national "pro" champion in Legends Cars when he was about 13. Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon were national go-kart and micro-midget champions before the age of 13. They all moved up to faster cars almost immediately. It's just the way things are today.

yes, he crashed also. brand new car tore up. the week before he blew their brand new motor during practice when he spun and stayed on the gas... never made qualifying...

you cite good examples of drivers who went to the top of their division before moving up - that's the way it should be done.

this kid hasn't even won a local championship, just some races .. mostly because daddy outspent everyone else. don't get me wrong, the kid probably has some talent, but he's being pushed along way faster than he's capable of handling at this time. unfortunately, he is one of a pair of 13 year olds fresh out of Legends into the local Late Model ranks .. and both sets of parents are identical in attitude and bank account.

[RyanNewmanfango#12]

Originally Posted by wingkey1

Dear Nevada,

You must be wrong. That isn’t possibly true. You faked the story. You altered the picture. It never happened and even if it did, which it didn’t, there would be a plausible explanation exonerating whoever I felt the deep need to exonerate.

It has nothing to do with anything. It has everything to do with nothing. This was just a “racing thing”, totally unlike what occurred this weekend. How can anyone not see that?

And oh by the way, the Budweiser car is Kahn.

Where’s your head? What are you thinking?

Deeply hurt and confused. At least enough of the Bud last year could help me forget, well pretty much everything. Just downed our 12th Amp after reading the travesty represented in this faked event in NASCAR history, and all it has done is make me think twice as fast about your post.

Terrible. Terrible. May never recover.

Regards,

Igor Eights

I dont know what the h you are talking about. that is not faked. i remember it. those "amps" you have been drinking are probably getting to you.

[RyanNewmanfango#12]

and also, you are livin in the past. it is over.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by RyanNewmanfango#12

I dont know what the h you are talking about. that is not faked. i remember it. those "amps" you have been drinking are probably getting to you.

I believe wingkey was addin a touch a smarta$$ in that post

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by RyanNewmanfango#12

I dont know what the h you are talking about. that is not faked. i remember it. those "amps" you have been drinking are probably getting to you.

I take it that you aren't familiar with the phrase, 'Tongue-in-cheek?" Satirical offerings, either?

[RyanNewmanfango#12]

thank you!

[RyanNewmanfango#12]

not to you but to the guy in frnt of you