Vickers perspective: I need
a win; wins make or break you in this series, and I have been on the other end of this deal many times as well. And I apologized,
and I mean it.
Interestingly, although diametrically
opposed, they are both “right”.
And then there are the comments
that Jeff Gordon has made regarding Mr. Vickers lately. Gordon himself complained about Vickers racing him just a little to
hard for Jeff’s liking recently. Understandable, but this is racing, and the day that NASCAR becomes motorized roller
derby with “team” orders is the day that NASCAR will impose a one car team limit.
So, Gordon and Johnson get
a grip—you both have spun others out on the way to a win, and every car out there is racing you for every win, Chase
or no Chase. That would be one of the rules of the game that you choose to play.
But all of this is overlooking
perhaps far more pain than either of those guys is experiencing with a drop in points, and that is the dilemma that the car
owner for the three of them, Rick Hendrick, must have gone through.
Rick’s deceased son Ricky
hand picked Vickers to drive that car, and Vickers dedicated his win to him. Classy, given the circumstances, but every detail
must bring back Ricky’s memory to Mr. Hendrick.
They say that time heals all,
but as Kyle Petty can attest to, sadly, the loss of a child is not included in that saying.
And so, on the one hand, Rick
Hendrick has two of the best racing for a Championship, and hundreds of people that will be affected by the outcome, and those
efforts have been somewhat compromised by Brian Vickers. There must be an enormous amount of internal pressure to park him.
And on the other hand, Vickers is a tie to Ricky, and to do anything of that nature would be an indirect affront to his memory.
The answer lies in perhaps
one of the hardest of all things to learn, and that is to simply forget all the details and forgive the guilty parties. Forgiveness
is difficult at best, but is especially difficult for those that are not repentant. Perhaps there is someone in your life
that is clearly making life difficult for you, why, you ask, should you forgive them? It is because it is The Directive to
do so, as we ourselves have been forgiven. Not necessarily a kiss-and-make up forgiveness, but letting go of your anger and
pain for the other party.
Mr. Hendrick’s actions
indicate that this is precisely the road he has taken. Rick is a giant in the sport, and he is handling this like the larger-than-life
man that he is. Forgiveness for Gordon and Johnson for their obvious unfair expectations and treatment of Vickers, and for
Vickers for placing himself ahead of the Team that put him where he is today. And Rick, don’t forget to forgive yourself
for the loss of Ricky. Like others that have lost a child, you did everything that you could along the way, and there is a
reason for the loss that will be understood one day.
Rest easy, Rick. Ricky is without
a doubt proud of Brian, and proud of you.
Questions, Comments;
Email Jay
The views and opinions in this article are
that of the writer and not necessarily that of SCR
2006 StockCar Review.
