I understand he wrecks. But you have got to let him get the jitters out, and allow him to to feel less like he has somthing to prove. He has proven that he should be allowed to drive in racing, but until he calms down some I'm afraid he will never prove it to NASCAR fans. So can we try to give him a break?
2007-09-19 19:46:06 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Auto Racing ➔ NASCAR
I like JPM, he is just going thru the rookie part, he was great in CART, right from the start, I loved him in F1..he is very aggressive and determined, just look at the fire in his eyes..He will be a great Nascar driver,he'll probably win on a oval next yr.. He has won a busch race and cup race but they were both on road courses..Juan will be just fine, next yr he'll be a better driver, as everyone will be complaining about Franchitti and Villenueve, and Hornish Jr..
2007-09-20 11:27:14 · answer #1 · answered by Go Team Penske 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm just gonna quote Kevin Harvick on this one: "Juan Pablo can drive a car fast, but he has no idea where it's gonna go when he gets there."
For me, the two worst things he's done were Mexico City (spinning out your own teammate is NEVER ok) and the All-Star Open (wrecked about half the field since he thought a kamikaze run into the first turn on the first lap was a real smart plan, and said in the interview afterwards that none of the other six guys he wrecked were "real drivers".)
2007-09-20 16:32:06 · answer #2 · answered by v35322 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most rookie drivers show respect to the veterans when they first start out in NASCAR. They also usually work their way up the ladder to hopefully reach the Nextel Cup level. With Juan basically waltzing right in to NASCAR's highest series, and seeming as if he could care less about that honor, it rubs me and a lot of other fans the wrong way, not to mention his fellow competitors. It's one thing to cause a bunch of wrecks, be remorseful and try to learn from your mistakes but he will come out and tell you that he doesn't care what anyone thinks. Until he starts to show a little respect he will not get any and his road to being a legitimate chase threat will be tougher than it could be. He has a ton of driving ability and will win on an oval soon, possibly even this year. If he was willing to learn how to manage his races better and settle down some he would not only have better finishes, he would gain fans and people's respect as well. I defended him in the past but now that he acts like everything is somebody else's fault he doesn't get any more breaks from me.
2007-09-20 03:44:44 · answer #3 · answered by Tregosteevo 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
After watching him on NASCAR Primetime was when I decided that he was a really arrogant jerk. The fact that he acts like it is alright to take out your team mate in the last lap of a race is disgusting. He is NOT a rookie to RACING. JPM needs to realize that it is a whole new ballgame for him and he IS a rookie in THIS category of racing. Nextel Cup is different than Indy. No matter how much experience you have behind a wheel of a racecar you don't come from a different class of racing, go out there and totally disrespect the guys who have logged so many hours in Nextel and have developed reputations for being great racers in their field. Tony Stewart has been really put down for his attitude in the past and I truly don't see any difference between the way JPM has been acting and what Tony has been criticized for.
2007-09-20 01:44:42 · answer #4 · answered by kahnedame 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Why?
Part of it was that he didn't come up through the NASCAR feeder system. He was a decent/above-average open-wheeler who jumped the regionals and only spent (IIRC) about a half a season in the Busch series before jumping into the NexTel car full-time. In most fan's eyes, he doesn't have the stock car experience to race week-in and week-out.
Part of it that when he wrecks, he tends to do it spectacularly, and seems to collect the same drivers over and over again.
You're right. Most of it *is* unjustified. And he does wreck. But as far as getting the jitters out, that's what the feeder circuits and the Busch Series are designed to do: familiarize an already accomplished driver with the difference between driving a stock car and an open-wheeler.
And he'll get his break, as long as somebody keeps him around. He'll just have to wait until Daytona.
2007-09-19 20:03:32 · answer #5 · answered by hogan.enterprises 5 · 7⤊ 1⤋
As a NASCAR fan I prefer to see the drivers I root for in the Busch series getting a chance to drive full time in Cup. Handing the reigns over to a great driver, from another series, just doesn't appeal to me. I think JPM will do well, in time, but would have preferred a Busch regular get a shot. JMO
2007-09-20 01:44:35 · answer #6 · answered by cowboysfan 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Give him a break? No. Give him a hard time? Yes. The dude came into NASCAR with trumpets hearlding his arrival as the next greatest thing to hit NASCAR since oval tracks. He is too careless and he doesn't "get it" with stock cars. Not that I don't think he can learn but what is going to be the cost of that learning experience. He's just lucky no one has died yet as a result of his careless disregard. When you enter sport you should have a good working knowledge of the "game". He didn't and he doesn't. So give him a break? Not on your life.
2007-09-20 02:35:08 · answer #7 · answered by Sally B 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think he is a top 10-20 driver so far as it shows some races he`s lapped traffic I like him but he has to learn that he must earn respect from other drivers , I thought Denny Hamlin was better in his rookie season than JPM ,Denny made the chase in his rookie season and raced clean and showed respect to other drivers.
JPM must earn his respect in Nascar for one his first win be it in Busch he spun his own teammate to get the win right there he lost my respect.
I think it will be a few years before he drives consistant in top 5-10 I think the next few seasons he will be in top 15-20 in most races and lapped traffic in most .
2007-09-20 03:39:39 · answer #8 · answered by ken s in area 51 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Ya'll might as well get used to him. He ain't going anywhere, and he'll win a few before its over.
If he gets his act together, he could even end up being one of the better wins. That's a big IF though. The build-up to his NASCAR entry and his arrogance (which most good drivers have a bit of, admit it people) have factored into all the anti-JPM sentiment.
2007-09-20 03:14:52 · answer #9 · answered by Jim M 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with ALL-MAN, I really like his wife. I don't like how pompous he is, he seems to blame his wrecks on others.
If he and Harvick had their helmets off at the Glen Kevin would have whooped up on him!
I also agree with what one person said about starting in the Busch series as a feeder to the Cup. Drivers learn a lot in Busch and carry it on to the Cup Series. NASCAR is trying to broaden it's fan base by bringing in new faces. I understand, but the core fan base is being forgotten.
2007-09-20 03:31:36 · answer #10 · answered by Yurhynis 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋