As a NASCAR fan, should my loyalty lie with a driver or manufacturer?

Question

My grandfather is a Ford man, my father is a Ford man, and so, of course, I am a Ford man. I love Fords and I am a huge Elliot Sadler fan. Well, Sadler has moved from a Ford to a Dodge and I am torn between following Sadler or hitching on to a different Ford driver. I would feel awful not rooting for Sadler, but I would also feel bad cheering for a Dodge instead of a Ford. I was just curious if there are any "real" NASCAR fans who have experienced the same problem. Also, do any of you support a driver who drives a car that is not your manufacturer of choice? Example: You are a Chevrolet fan, but cheer for Mark Martin (a Ford driver).

Answer 1

I share your pain as I am a Ford girl, born and raised. My dad was a staunch Ford supporter so sometimes I feel I am not honoring him. But I too, like Elliott Sadler and have been rooting for him. Whatever happened at Yates was sad for us Ford fans, but I understand that Elliott and Dale had to do what they did for their own careers. As a matter of fact, I will root for Dale Jarrett next year in (oh my gosh!) a Toyota. By the same token, I am not a huge fan of Biffle, but mildly root for him because he drives a Ford. I tend to make my choices on gut feelings in addition to my Ford loyalty and rooting for the guys from the Midwest. I was a huge AJ Foyt fan so Tony Stewart got my loyalty back in his USAC days because AJ was his favorite driver, he acts like AJ sometimes, and he is from Indiana.

Now let me say this--if you think about it, the cars of today are not really the Fords, Chevys, Dodges they were years ago (like when Ned Jarrett and Richard Petty drove the family car to the track and raced it). The are esentially the same car with a name plate on it. Even the engines are similar to meet NASCAR rules. The company support is not the same as it used to be, except maybe for Evernham and Dodge. Nor is Toyota a "foreign car" anymore.

Maybe this is my way of justifying rooting for Elliott or Ryan, but it seems to make sense to me.

Answer 2

You know what? That's the cool thing about NASCAR. You can route for anything. Sometimes I like the way they drive, geff gordon, or because they had a cool wife, gordon again, or just the personality, awesome bill or kenny shrader or richard petty, then sometimes the cars or the way they look or the color, always various and changing, sometimes the sponsors, like clabbergirl whoever she is she sounds fun, the teams, because it really is the entire package, the team manager, evernham, owners like penski and roush, the way a driver talks, ward burton, or their work ethic, mark martin. Sometimes I even love to hate em, sorry dale earnhardt, junior is cool though, and he drives the beer car! :)

But when it comes down to it, I stick with the drivers, because the racing is really what it is all about. Sometimes I will hate a driver because he throws away a great effort. Or love a driver or manager or owner because they make something out of nothing and inspire others. That's really what it's all about for fans. The people are usually the same thoughout their career. The drivers themselves ultimately go with whomever or whatever they can get. The more car makes in NASCAR the better for everything, so I don't pick a car maker or any brand, and I wish they had even more makes in it.

Answer 3

it's up to You but, I would go with the driver.
I was a big Bobby Allison fan since I was about 11. when He was involved in the accident which ended His career, I started backing His son, Davey. when Davey was killed in the helicopter crash, I stayed with the #28 car. Dale Jarrett, Kenny Irwin JR, Ernie Irvan, Ricky Rudd and, finally Eliott Sadler. When Eliott left Yates Racing, I stayed with the Driver. I just dont switch a lot on purpose.

Answer 4

I An A Huge 24/Chevy Fan, If Jeff switched to Ford, It would be REALLY hard to root for a Ford. I Loyalty lies with the manufacturer!!!

Answer 5

Here's how I rationalize it. First, I want to see a good, hopefully great, race no matter who wins. Then I root for my driver, then my favorite team(s), then my manufacturer(Chevy). The race cars have so little to do with their respective manufacturers. It's the teams that put the cars together. I like RCR and Penske, so I enjoy seeing them run well. I try not to play favorites, but I am partial to Kurt Busch (even before he went to Penske) and Ryan Newman. I also like Matt Kenseth's style. Cheer for everyone and you will always be a winner.

Answer 6

I personally follow the driver and not the manufacturer. I have never been one to be loyal to the manufacturer, whether it be NASCAR or my personal vehicle. My all-time favorite driver drove many different brands of car and that is Terry Labonte. I don't really think he cared which manufacturer, he just wanted the team to be quality.

Answer 7

Go with Elliot Sadler.

Answer 8

The car manufacturer doesn't matter to me. I personally don't own any cars that are of the same manufacturer as any cars in NASCAR, so I don't like any certain car brands better than others.

Answer 9

Well, my loyalty lies with my favorite driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr. I mean I do prefer Chevrolet, but if Jr. ever changed manufacturers he'd still be my favorite.
I think for you it comes down to this, do you like your favorite manufacturer better or your favorite driver? You have to make that choice........

Answer 10

i would definitely go with the manufacturer, the type of car being driven will be around for a while, the driver may not be!