[Hawker]

LocalYokel - I'll head back to Missouri as soon as the Chili Bowl is over. P.S. keep listening to the internet webcast...:emote20:

Heromaker - I'm still waiting for you to bash the other 7 drivers who flipped last night (one of them twice).

PJ - Dave Darland is one of my favorite drivers of all time. The point I am trying to make is that if people are going to bash one driver, bash them all, be consistant.

ossuks - Kevin's father did not grow up rich, he earned every dime he has made by winning races and is the best example out there on how to RETIRE from racing openwheel dirt. Then he takes SOME of that money and takes his kid racing? GOD FORBID!!!

tailtank nailed it. There's 200 rich kids racing here in Tulsa and half of those probably have a lot more $$$ than the Swindell family. Where's the jealousy towards them?

[Seadog]

Originally Posted by Hawker The point I am trying to make is that if people are going to bash one driver, bash them all, be consistant.

Why should we bash a driver that doesn't deserve to be bashed? Come on, get real.

[Hawker]

Originally Posted by Seadog Why should we bash a driver that doesn't deserve to be bashed? Come on, get real.

And please explain which drivers deserve to be bashed?

IMO - If you bash drivers, your no fan...

Originally Posted by Seadog Why should we bash a driver that doesn't deserve to be bashed? Come on, get real.

I'm waiting to hear you explain this comment. The IOW.com message board posters are clinging to a sliver of credibility.

Straight up - Kevin outperformed Brady Bacon in 2007. If, running the same equipment is your yardstick - that may be a stretch to assume the use of logic on a message board.

Originally Posted by PJ Wright There is no double standard. The ridicule that Kevin receives isn't based on who spins or flips the most during any one event. It's because of a pattern of behavior on and off the track. Interesting that you chose Dave Darland for your comparison. When I think of Dave, some things that come to mind are; class, good attitude, smart decisions, etc.. Those aren't things I normally associate with Kevin, at least not yet. To me the bottom line is this: If a person is going to behave like a jerk, there should be no suprise when they're treated like one.

:sleep:

Originally Posted by Heromaker Looks as though he is starting the year off right. Out of 250 cars him and one other already got upside down.

250 cars were on the track Tuesday night? Did you come to the same conclusion after Smoke dumped his midget on his qualifying night?

[wbr]

Originally Posted by ossuks Let me try to awnser that question: 1- Alot of people feel like he did not pay his dues, they also feel that way about any young driver that comes racing on Daddys money. 2-He gives one the impression that he is a step above everyone. Some say that he is not that way, that he is backwards like Sam? 3-Some feel he has a total disregard for those he races with and their equipment.

Kevin Eckerts OpenWheelTimes.com November 30th column partially explains some of these, here is an exerpt:

"One such episode was the 1988 Florida State Fair when Sammy knocked Terry McCarl into next week. Terry walked the length of Tampa

Originally Posted by Hawker Once again, I see the bias posting in here. Did you see it? I did. Did you see the other 9 flips today? What are your comments about those? How about the 83 car that flipped in every race he was in, what are your comments on that? FYI - Technically, I really wouldn't call Kevin's deal a flip. The inside berm is the tallest I have seen it in the 17 years I've been going to the Chili Bowl. It is roughly 20" to 24" high and VERY uneven. 5 of the 9 cars that flipped today/night were from just touching the berm. Once the LF touches it, it sucks the car right in. Kevin just touched it with the LF, it sucked the car in and tripped over the LF and he caught in by making a hard right turn and the car basically did a pirouette. There will be a lot of cars destroyed by the larger berm this year, mark my words. If you guys are going to bash drivers, why not bash all of them that wreck. Why not bash Dave Darland? He spun today during practice all by himself infront of a group of cars stacking everyone up. No, can't do that, he's one of "our own"... :rolleyes: Let's not have a double standard, one standard will do just fine. :headbang:

Oh... don't go there with Dave Darland and especially Daron Clayton. Geez Louise man. USAC has high standards!

Technically speaking, Dave Darland was practicing for "Dancing At The Bars" - it was one of the standard Tango steps.

[PJ Wright]

Originally Posted by Hawker And please explain which drivers deserve to be bashed? IMO - If you bash drivers, your no fan...

If you mean of that particular driver, then you're right. If you mean of racing in general, I don't buy it. How many other drivers has Kevin "bashed" (figuratively and literally)? Does that mean he's not a fan, that he doesn't like the sport? What about all the people who literally hate Jeff Gordon. Does having a negative opinion of someone mean you're not a true fan? I love racing but that doesn't mean I like everyone associated with the sport.
By the way, I really hope Kevin matures and eventually makes fans of his detractors, but until then.......

[Charles Nungester]

Someone needs to step back a minute and look at what they are saying if you ask me. NOT LIKING Someone for some of the reasons given isn't BASHING.

I root for everyone. Even Kevin if he's clean and fast but the events of last season left me and quite a few others with a bad taste not just from his actions on the track, *Which some were amazingly good* as well as those that resulted in himself or others being taking out of the race.

Everyone has a bad night. IMHO he had way more than average. Even for a rookie and the statement he made after the MSCS Burg race was 1 UNFOUNDED as Ballou had passed him about 30 laps earlier and 2. Totally Baseless as Ballou races him clean and 3. Totally lacking in class or respect.

As for you guys saying We're bashing, YOU CAN'T change my mind about him. ONLY KEVIN CAN! Theres no doubt hes got the talent and is fast and if he can make his moves without taking people out and still winning then he will be deserving of all the praise I could lay on him.


Chuck, who's had a couple other drivers in The least favorites list over the years but never hated anyone. Not even Kevin. I wish all drivers success and safety.