How can everyone condemn Brian Vickers so easily?

Question

Everyone seems to want to jump onto Brian Vickers' case about how he won the race. A few out there have made ridiculous comments about how it was planned so that Jr. couldn't win the race.

There are three parts to this question, and it won't go to the voters who gets best answer, because when the question closes, I am picking it myself.

The first part is who here has actual knowledge about how NASCAR racing really works? I learned from people who actually race short track, and who have extensive vehicle knowledge. I also have a stepbrother who worked for teams in the Truck and Busch Series.

The second part is who thinks that intentionally wrecking really works? Each car costs a lot of money, and it is a very dangerous tactic that endangers not only the ones who actually get wrecked, but the one who causes it too.

Now, answering the first two parts, I want to know how (with real reason, being a Jr or JJ fan doesn't count) everyone can be so quick to condemn Brian Vickers.

To THE DUDE:

Vickers had 3 Busch Series wins in 2003 alone. His Nextel Open win was a bump, but also in that race, the car threw a block on him at the end of the race.

To AVERY:

That's not even an answer. One, no one in NASCAR follows a script. Two, almost everyone seems to agree that intentionally wrecking someone is dangerous and stupid.

To JR FAN:

If Jr. did the same thing to Vickers, you'd probably be defensing it. I saw Jr. take out Carl Edwards earlier this season to win a race. Guess what, If I remember right, that also was a racing deal, just one car too fast for another, same as what happened yesterday.

Vickers was 3rd in line at that point. He had the most speed going and could have slingshot around both Johnson and Jr. if he had the space. He couldn't have hit Johnson if that part wasn't true.

Again, to THEDUDE:

Talledega is a lot different that your local short track. My stepdad was saved from running into the wall after getting turned by someone hitting the front of his car. At some tracks, a bump is the only option you have for getting around people, especially at a track with a tight groove. Talledega is different in the fact that at 190 mph, it really isn't safe to make that bump to make a pass.

And, also, when you win you know you have to make it look genuinely like a happy moment, even if it is hollow. I played sports for long enough to know this. Racing is no different. Brian said he would do it all again, but would he really, or is it a front he has put on.

And to call Vickers that is far from the truth. He's a quiet kid. My stepdad has met him a few times, in the garage, and held conversations with him. My stepdad is a good judge of a person's character, and Vickers actions on the track weren't of his character off it.

I must say, however, I am, for the most part, very pleased with the fact that 13 of the 16 answers do seem to have a lot of thought behind them.

I also want you to know that I included the first part of the question so that I can read answers in the appropriate context knowing where your answer has come from.

Answer 1

Answering the first part I have worked at the brickyard since I was a kid for the 500 and then the brickyard. One of my best friends dads raced midgets, and ARCA. Another one of my friends dads worked security at the pits at IRP so in the summer me and him would spend a lot of time there watching the crews and walking the garages finding out crap.

Intentionally wrecking doesn't work you mess up your own car, and to add to it you get a rep for it and your screwed. You not only have to worry about your image to other drivers but also your marketability to fans which of course how your sponsors are going to view you. Also in the case of Vickers it was his teammate and he also happens to be in the chase, so he would hurt himself twice as bad by ding it on purpose. With Vickers moving to a new team next year for him to do it on purpose would lose him the trust of his new sponsors and teammates with how he is going to react and what type of team player he really is. Case in point this year at hendrick he has still been a team player up until now. Wreck was an accident.

Not going to condemn Vickers, most people see it as a guy being greedy and not good enough to handle a car at that level. Possibly even a little payback for his treatment this year, but the reality is Vickers had nothing to gain and everything to lose by wrecking them.

Answer 2

Vickers didn't mean to do it, and I think it was classy of Jr. being humble about the whole thing. As mentioned, he did the same thing to Edwards in the Michigan Busch race, so karma got him back. As far as Johnson goes, he's triggered quite a few wrecks at the restrictor plates and didn't necessarily admit his mistakes. I don't think he has too much to be mad about. Also, if it wasn't for Vickers, Johnson probably wouldn't even have been up there to begin with. Honestly, whether anyone likes it or not, Vickers getting into Johnson was the best thing to happen in that race because that was going to be a pretty crappy finish, especially with all them riding single file the last 5 laps or so. Just my opinion.

Answer 3

I don't know much abou NASCAR, and intentionally wrecking someone can help you win, it's been done several times, like when Gordon did it to Kenseth earlier this year. I honestly don't believe what Vickers did was on purpose, I think he was just too hungry, but to do that at this point in the season is pretty silly. Two chasers (1 a teammate) and on the last lap, he should have just settled for a top 5 finish because only 10 drivers count right now. Not to mention, I was pissed off because I'm a #48 Lowe's Chevrolet Jimmie Johnson fan, and he was suppose to celebrate in victory lane AGAIN

Answer 4

I don't think Vickers intentionally wrecked Johnson, I just don't see him as one of those guys. I'm a BIG Junior fan but I'm not mad at Vickers, I just hate that his first win had to come with all of this controversy. If Vickers hadn't of hit Johnson, Johnson would have passed Junior and won the race. It's easy to see... having 2 cars hooked up will go faster than 1 car by itself. For everyone out there that is pissed at Vickers and will hold a grudge against him for the rest of his life, needs to grow up. Junior isn't even mad at him and he was in the wreck!

Answer 5

First, I don't really have actual knowledge of NASCAR racing & how they really work.
Second, intentionally wrecking is just plain crazy, you wreck their car, um, yours might be worse.
Third, it wasn't Brian Vickers fault. Plain & simple. If anyone watched the race, Jr. was leading, Johnson & Vickers drafting, Last lap, Johnson goes to pass Jr., Vickers does not know that he was doing this at this time, Johnson looses the draft, gets loose, lets up on the gas, Vickers (tries) to follow & go down low, when Johnson lets up on the gas, Vickers bumps him, spins him into Jr. - the rest is history......At 190 mph what do you expect???
Johnson caused the wreck & he was the only one in the interview process to point a finger. Jr. & Vickers did not point a finger at anyone. Hand's off to both!

Answer 6

The first part is who here has actual knowledge about how NASCAR racing really works?
~~~Not many people (I don't claim to be one who does fully understand)

The second part is who thinks that intentionally wrecking really works?
~~~There are a few drivers who would intentionally wreck...but at Talladaga??? Not likely....way too dangerous! You are right, these vehichles cost too much money and Vickers is not stupid.
As for those who think Brian did this on purpose....
~~~People will whine when their driver does not win...that is just how it works.

I like Jr and Jimmy WAY better then Brian...but people need to get over it!!!!

Answer 7

Great statement and question! I'm not a racing expert, just a fan and I agree with you. It really didn't look to me like Vickers did it on purpose. I'm not a fan of Vickers, but I really don't think he would want his first win to come from wrecking other drivers. I also think it was very bad sportsmanship for the fans to yell profanity while Vickers was in Victory Lane. Real classy Jr. fans.

Answer 8

Well for the most part, everybody is a Dale Jr. fan so they are going to cry and complain that Vickers had something against him. In my opinion, Vickers was very hungry and really wanted that win. I know he had no thought of spinning two chasers. When one of them is his teamate. So like I said all the Jr. fans are being crybabies.

Answer 9

I'm a fan only
HMS fan, I don't think he made it on purpose, he saw the opportunity and went for it.
Some had say that it was payback to Jimmie from May race @ 'Dega, but don't think so. Brian would have do anything for a win, and he did. Too bad it was under this circumstances, taking two NASCAR superstars out.
after the race I was really mad, @ Brian but the way I see it know is that he wanted the win & he got it.

Answer 10

I dont know everything about Nascar, but what I do know is that Brian Vickers is a really nice guy and I dont believe what happened today was intentional. I like both Brian and Jr. but I just dont think that he would purposely do that.