NASCAR is a wonderful sport, for there is a driver for everyone! I have three main favorites: Michael Waltrip, David Reutimann and Dale Earnhardt Jr. For the most part, I'll focus on David in this blog, since I listen to his radio every weekend.
Michael Waltrip
If you watch races or the supplemental shows centered around NASCAR, it won't be long until you see Michael. Commonly known as Mikey (I never call him that, for some reason), this tall, curly-haired man is as unique personality-wise as he is conspicuous physically. He has been through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows during his career, and his determination, humor, intelligence and passion has always seen him through. Although he will probably never be called one of the greatest drivers of all time, he certainly has accomplished more than many and will now live on through his blossoming organization, Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR).
David Reutimann
David wears his heart on his sleeve and that characteristic is one of many that caused me to fall for him. He's shy but witty, and extremely focused on racing. His knowledge of racing is very evident when one listens to his radio during the races, and he explains what his car is doing in incredible detail. David has stayed loyal to MWR since his rookie year in 2007, despite some absolutely miserable times. Every year he's improved and in 2009 won for the first time in one of NASCAR's greatest races, the Coca-Cola 600. I truly think this will be only one of many.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Unlike many Dale Jr. fans, I like him for him and don't hold him above the other drivers just because he's popular. Junior is a little shy and sometimes very awkward, a sharp contrast to his tough-boy image. In the past few years I've grown increasingly concerned for him, mainly because he doesn't smile as much as he used to. Driving for the greatest team in NASCAR - Hendrick Motorsports - has put a huge weight on his shoulders because he hasn't performed. I know he can win races and compete for championships...I think he just has some hurdles to jump before he can go for it.
I have several other favorites...actually it's easier to list the drivers I don't like than it is to list the ones I do!
Kurt Busch: Through the times he was hated by fans, his championship in 2004, his controversial reckless driving charge and subsequent firing from Roush Racing and his up-and-down tenure at Penske Racing, I've been there!
Casey Mears: He is probably one of the nicest guys in the garage, but unfortunately he frequently gets the short end of the stick just when he begins to perform well. Now he is running with an underfunded Keyed-Up Motorsports and sadly, I don't know what the future holds for him.
Martin Truex Jr.: A fellow lover of the outdoors, Martin is a little reserved but has that quiet goofiness about him that I love. I'm so excited he'll be driving for MWR after being a fan of his for several years!
Brian Vickers: Brian is one smart guy. He's one of those hot geeks! Over the past couple years he's really matured and grown into himself with Red Bull Racing. He gets better and better every season.
Marcos Ambrose: Aussie time! Marcos is such a good-natured, sweet person. He's also an animal behind the wheel and really surprised everyone when he smoothly adapted to oval racing from road courses. I'm glad he's affiliated with MWR (through JTG Daugherty Racing) because he's an asset to the organization.
Kelly Bires: Like Martin, Kelly loves the outdoors. He drove for JTG in the Nationwide Series and performed impressively, though he lost the ride after sponsorship fell through. Now he's driving for JR Motorsports, though at this point I'm not sure if that's as great as it sounds, since he may not run more than half the season. Kelly is talented and a good person, so I hope his luck turns around soon.
I also like Trevor Bayne and Ryan Truex (Martin's younger brother), but I don't know a whole lot about them yet (they do seem like nice guys!). Other drivers I like but wouldn't call myself a fan include Kyle Busch, Scott Speed and AJ Allmendinger. Some drivers I like who don't have rides currently are Scott Wimmer, Tood Kluever and Brandon Whitt.
I don't hate any drivers, although there are some I definitely tend to not care for. Hate and name-calling is common in NASCAR and I think it's very sad. Love is a much nicer thing to write about! I will try to focus on this more than on what I could complain about unless I feel strongly about it.
Michael Waltrip
If you watch races or the supplemental shows centered around NASCAR, it won't be long until you see Michael. Commonly known as Mikey (I never call him that, for some reason), this tall, curly-haired man is as unique personality-wise as he is conspicuous physically. He has been through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows during his career, and his determination, humor, intelligence and passion has always seen him through. Although he will probably never be called one of the greatest drivers of all time, he certainly has accomplished more than many and will now live on through his blossoming organization, Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR).
David Reutimann
David wears his heart on his sleeve and that characteristic is one of many that caused me to fall for him. He's shy but witty, and extremely focused on racing. His knowledge of racing is very evident when one listens to his radio during the races, and he explains what his car is doing in incredible detail. David has stayed loyal to MWR since his rookie year in 2007, despite some absolutely miserable times. Every year he's improved and in 2009 won for the first time in one of NASCAR's greatest races, the Coca-Cola 600. I truly think this will be only one of many.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Unlike many Dale Jr. fans, I like him for him and don't hold him above the other drivers just because he's popular. Junior is a little shy and sometimes very awkward, a sharp contrast to his tough-boy image. In the past few years I've grown increasingly concerned for him, mainly because he doesn't smile as much as he used to. Driving for the greatest team in NASCAR - Hendrick Motorsports - has put a huge weight on his shoulders because he hasn't performed. I know he can win races and compete for championships...I think he just has some hurdles to jump before he can go for it.
I have several other favorites...actually it's easier to list the drivers I don't like than it is to list the ones I do!
Kurt Busch: Through the times he was hated by fans, his championship in 2004, his controversial reckless driving charge and subsequent firing from Roush Racing and his up-and-down tenure at Penske Racing, I've been there!
Casey Mears: He is probably one of the nicest guys in the garage, but unfortunately he frequently gets the short end of the stick just when he begins to perform well. Now he is running with an underfunded Keyed-Up Motorsports and sadly, I don't know what the future holds for him.
Martin Truex Jr.: A fellow lover of the outdoors, Martin is a little reserved but has that quiet goofiness about him that I love. I'm so excited he'll be driving for MWR after being a fan of his for several years!
Brian Vickers: Brian is one smart guy. He's one of those hot geeks! Over the past couple years he's really matured and grown into himself with Red Bull Racing. He gets better and better every season.
Marcos Ambrose: Aussie time! Marcos is such a good-natured, sweet person. He's also an animal behind the wheel and really surprised everyone when he smoothly adapted to oval racing from road courses. I'm glad he's affiliated with MWR (through JTG Daugherty Racing) because he's an asset to the organization.
Kelly Bires: Like Martin, Kelly loves the outdoors. He drove for JTG in the Nationwide Series and performed impressively, though he lost the ride after sponsorship fell through. Now he's driving for JR Motorsports, though at this point I'm not sure if that's as great as it sounds, since he may not run more than half the season. Kelly is talented and a good person, so I hope his luck turns around soon.
I also like Trevor Bayne and Ryan Truex (Martin's younger brother), but I don't know a whole lot about them yet (they do seem like nice guys!). Other drivers I like but wouldn't call myself a fan include Kyle Busch, Scott Speed and AJ Allmendinger. Some drivers I like who don't have rides currently are Scott Wimmer, Tood Kluever and Brandon Whitt.
I don't hate any drivers, although there are some I definitely tend to not care for. Hate and name-calling is common in NASCAR and I think it's very sad. Love is a much nicer thing to write about! I will try to focus on this more than on what I could complain about unless I feel strongly about it.