Why does everyone hate Jeff Gordon?

Question

I am serioud- what on earth did this guy do to make him so hated besides win races? Please dont respond with "he sucks" I would like detailed answers please, thank you!

Gene L- I really appreciate your details. I am a new NASCAR fan I guess- and he is one of the drivers that i have always heard about- so over the last few years- we go to the June race at MIS- I always felt bad for everyone booing him, so I started to like him. (He also shares the number of my favorite hockey player- but thatis besides the point) I just dont get it. I can understand why people don't care much for the Bush Brothers, but it should be a good thing to get NASCAR into the homes of everyone in America. I never would have gotten in it really or started caring about NASCAR if not for 24. I wish someone in hockey would come along like him and get it to be as popular as NASCAR. Thankyou all for your opinions.

And I would like to know what is wrong with winning too many races?

I didnt know this question had been asked really before- first time on answers on this subject

Yes- I am a Chelios Fan- the greatest Hockey Player ever IMO. (Then Howe and Yzerman)

Answer 1

#1 Jeff Gordon was born in California. When he entered NASCAR it was 99% Southern and for a Driver to come into NASCAR being from California was something many NASCAR Fans at that time did not like.

#2 Gordon started his racing career with the open wheeled series of USAC. Back in those days NASCAR Fans absolutely hated any open wheel racing. Plus, Jeff did not come up through the traditional Stock Car ranks before entering the then Winston Cup Series; and he was signed to a premier Team right off the bat. Many NASCAR Fans felt he hadn't earned the right to race in NASCAR let alone with a premier team such as Hendricks Motorsports.

#3 Once Jeff learned how to race a Stock Car he began winning and winning alot. His constant trips to victory lane started to become a tolling of bell on the Dale Sr. Era.. Dale Sr. to many Fans represented NASCAR's Blue Collar, Southern roots; while Jeff Gordon represented the beginning of NASCAR's eventual Hollywoodization.

#4 Not only was Jeff's Victories and Championships signaling and end of the Dale Sr. Era but began the Jeff Gordon Era.

#5 Jeff opened the door for many more Drivers not from the South to come into NASCAR and be successful. Tony Stewart, Matt Kennseth, Jimmy Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Greg Biffle, Kevin Harvick, Casey Mears, Kurt and Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr., and the list goes on and on. NASCAR was no longer for the South anymore, it now belonged to America.

Answer 2

I don't hate Jeff Gordon, and I'd rather see him win than certain other drivers. But I'll never be a Gordon fan because of:

1. Hypocrisy. Gordon will complain to high heaven about bump drafting, or other drivers being too aggressive, and then the next week he does the very thing he was complaining about. Only now it's okay, he was just doing what he had to do.

2. Arrogance. Sometimes it seems that Gordon thinks all the other drivers should just pull over and wave him by, because he's Jeff Gordon. He seems to have mellowed the last couple years, but at Sears Pt this year he was having trouble getting around another car and told his spotter, "Tell him who's in the #24." It wasn't a shining moment.

Some people are turned off by Gordon's occasional whine post-race, but I don't mind that so much myself. All drivers whine sometimes; you ought to hear Mark Martin on the radio during a long race full of cautions.

I don't think 'He's not from the South' has much to do with it. Alan Kulwicki, '92 Winston Cup champion, was from Wisconsin, and he wasn't hated.

And there will always be some, men in particular, who automatically dislike a "pretty boy" . . . you have to admit, Jeff is a bit on the "metrosexual" side . . . .

Answer 3

Everyone says, he wins a lot. Here is the proof:

Year Races Wins Top5 Top10 Money Won Poles
1992 1 0 0 0 $6,285 0
1993 30 0 7 11 $765,168 1
1994 31 2 7 14 $1,779,523 1
1995 31 7 17 23 $4,347,343 8
1996 31 10 21 24 $3,428,485 5
1997 32 10 22 23 $6,375,658 1
1998 33 13 26 28 $9,306,584 7
1999 34 7 18 21 $5,121,361 7
2000 34 3 11 22 $2,703,586 3
2001 36 6 18 24 $10,879,757 6
2002 36 3 13 20 $7,189,305 3
2003 36 3 15 20 $5,920,030 4
2004 36 5 16 25 $6,950,000 6
2005 36 4 8 14 $6,500,000 2
2006 36 2 14 18 $5,900,000 2
2007 24 4 14 20 $5,100,000 6
Career 497 79 227 307 $81,913,085 62

Answer 4

Gordon gets booed because of the success he has had, back when Gordon was in his prime of his career, he literally was winning every race or he was in the top 5. I think everyone got tired of him winning and being successful. Now a days Gordon isn't as good as he was a few years ago, is he still competitive yes, but he isn't what he use to be. Kyle Busch gets booed because he is an immature little brat! He smashes trophies, he wrecks anyone that gets in his way, and if he has a bad day on the track, he either ignores the reporters or has a temper tantrum. Look at Jimmie Johnson last weekend at Michigan, he runs out of gas on the final lap, he goes from winning the race to 22nd. He was at least nice enough to give an interview, if that was Kyle Busch he would have been either having a tantrum or flat out ignoring the reporters.

Answer 5

I love Jeff Gordon. He is my favorite NASCAR driver ever. The reason most people hate him is because he ennunciates and he pronounces actual word and doesnt use slang. He isnt from the south where the sport started, instead he is a Californian Native and he then moved to Indiana to further his racing career. He also was a perfect gentlemen infront of the camera and he had this clean cut image and him and his ex wife worked very hard to make him the face of NASCAR and be the most presentable and he bought designer clothing instead of just jeans and t shirt. He also has an amazing career, which some of the drivers today would kill for.

Answer 6

People don't like him because he:

1. Is from California. He is not a Southern guy, which is where NASCAR's roots are. He is the major contributor in bringing NASCAR to the north.

2. Wins "too much" If you remember correctly, many people also booed Dale Earnhardt Sr. because he not only spun out a LOT of drivers, but also won 76 races and 7 championships. EDIT: The "problem" with winning "too many" races is that when you win, you make 42 other drivers and all of the 42 drivers' fans lose. And many fans don't like their drivers losing.

As you can see by my avatar, I am a Gordon fan.

Answer 7

I'll tell you what my husband says. It's because everyone hates a winner. I personally don't like Jeff Gordon just for pure rivalry with my husband ( I am a Jimmie Johnson fan). But, Jeff Gordon is one of the best in Nascar history and probably the best in the modern era.

Answer 8

There are several things that Jeff Gordon "did" to make so many people hate him:

1. He's not from the South. He's not a good ol' boy. Southerners resent the hell out of that.

2. He is one of the most successful drivers that the sport has ever witnessed, and he's not a dirty driver, which alot of people like to see.

3. He is incredibly good-looking, his wife is a model, and he seems to live a pretty charmed life. Many people are jealous of these facts.

4. He has all of the above and yet is down to earth and doesn't take it all too seriously. He knows how blessed he is.

I hope that helps to answer your question!

Answer 9

I can't stand Jeff because:

-he always complains about people racing him too hard, which is bull****. Everyone is there to race, not to get out of Jeff Gordon's way.

-he's a sissy pretty boy

-he is way too politically correct. He always gives some pc sponsor speech whenever he is interviewed. I want the driver's real emotions, not some sugarcoated version just to keep NASCAR and the sponsors happy.

Contrary to what Jeff fans want to think, it has nothing to do with him being from California. I'm from Cali too, so that doesn't make any sense.
And there are plenty of other non-Southern drivers that aren't hated.

Answer 10

jeff gordon is my favorite driver people dont like him because he has won so much and he started winning early in his career
alot of people think he was handed a golden oppertunity and has always been given the best of everything in nascar while it is true he has had the best equipment he didnt get 79 wins and 4 championships by luck he is an awesome driver