Interestingly, it seems that many fans have already judged Dale Jr. guilty by association and have
decided to change the driver that they call their “favorite”, and in the process, of course, start disliking him
in the same fashion that they have become so accustomed to with Jeff Gordon.
Seems ludicrous, but it is not that uncommon either at the track or in real life. The “facts”
that seemingly have “caused” the fans to be upset are as follows: Last year the fans invented a rivalry—and
upset themselves. This year it has been announced that Earnhardt essentially chose Gordon as a teammate, and Gordon was aware
of and enthusiastically supported Earnhardt coming aboard Hendrick Enterprises—and again, the fans have upset themselves!?
In reality, of course, the facts, whatever they are, are independent of our emotions, and our reactions. Earnhardt fans have no more justification for their feelings that Kurt Busch had when
he came very close to one of Tony Stewart’s crewmen while in a state of upset at Dover recently.
Mr. Busch had choices (and he is now very aware of them), and so do the fans, which could choose to respect both men—as they themselves do, and have all along.
Somewhere, right about now there is more than one thought out there that approximates the following:
“But he is drivin’ for that dad blammed Rick Hendrick with that pretty-boy Gordon! Now what in the heck am I gonna
do with all these durned feelings?”
It involves forgiveness and it is no secret, actually it was taught
to us centuries ago.
This an easy practice run, for it involves forgiving Jeff Gordon for a silly “wrong” that
he had nothing to do with and was oblivious of-- to begin with. Actually Earnhardt is doing his “nation” a huge
favor by effectively prompting them to take this step.
Harder still is to forgive those around us that have truly meant to hurt us, but have seen the error
of their ways. This would be another lesson from the good old boys on the blacktop. Darrell Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt Sr.
(among countless other pairs) evolved from bitter rivals to close friends. Neither could take back putting the other into
the wall in previous years, but they learned to forgive each other, and move on.
2006 StockCar Review.
