You think Rusty Wallace has a personal vendetta against Jeff Gordon?

Question

Its no secret the two didnt get along on or off the track. Rusty has and always will be jealous of the success that Jeff had. Everytime i watch the races Rusty either has something negative to say about Jeff or refuses to comment when they talk about Jeffs impressive career. Is he still mad that Jeff made that great pass on rusty to win the daytona 500 that year? Or is he upset that when Jeff came along it became Jeff V Dale not Rusty v Dale

Answer 1

Rusty needs a few more years out of the car before he starts commentating. Yes, he has always had a vendetta against Gordon ever since Jeff has started racing. Look at some of the blatant cheap shots he took at Jeff on the track. He was very jealous because when Jeff entered the sport he took a lot of the spotlight and wins away from him. And the bump and run at Bristol a few years ago made Rusty seethe even more about Gordon.

You're right.....you've picked up on something that many of us have known since Rusty was still racing. He is obviously jealous of Jeff Gordon. It was bad enough when it affected him on the track, but to see it showing in his commentating career is very sad indeed.

Answer 2

If you are talking about Rusty covering the Gordon-Jr "incident" at Lowe's, he was being coached to do that by the ABC/ESPN producers.
According to David Poole, of the Charlotte Observer and That's Racin'.com, the producers pick story lines for the commentators to talk about, and this one was just a coincidence.
I'm sure Wallace remembers the times that Jeff applied the chrome horn and spun him out, but, since he is no longer racing, I don't think there is a vendetta.

Answer 3

I think Rusty is one of the better announcers that they have, but it is obvious to me that he does hold a grudge against Gordon. he even made a comment earlier this season about how he would have had a couple of more wins in his column if not for the 24 car.

I don;t think they should fire him becuase they are lacking in this department, but I do think they should address the situation with him.

I mean, c'mon - Kurt Bush and Jimmy Spencer fist fought a few years back and you don;t hear Jimmy ever say a bad word about Kurt. Because Jimmy understands what his job, while Rusty thinks he is above something that common.

Answer 4

I can see why you might think that. If it's true, it doesn't say much about Rusty as a commentator and if I were ESPN/ABC and knew that to be true, I'd show him the door. Speaking from experience, people EXPECT you to be a homer when you cover the same team week in and week out, but he's a network guy, and shouldn't be doing it.
I really haven't noticed, but then again, I wouldn't be surprised.

Answer 5

I think it was the Jeff Vs Dale thing because that is why not many people(men I mean) don't like Jeff because he took NASCAR by storm and was the first no hillbilly to start winning championships, and that pisses off A LOT of Rednecks

Answer 6

Mr Heckles, a lot of drivers other than R. Wallace would have a lot more wins if it hadn't have been for Jeff Gordon...Wallace was so hoping Jr. would retaliate last week, instead of slithering to the back to hide...would be safer for everyone if he would stay back there...

Answer 7

Yep. I picked up on that after the 20th time he said it. Of course I picked up on the time during the race when JR was coming up on someone else and he said they better watch it or JR will bump him "Like I would".

So yeah, its personal. But who cares Rusty Whiner and the only crappy thing with ABC's coverage.

Answer 8

Rusty Wallace is self-centered phoney. Just listeneing to him trying to hype up a boring race is embarrassing. He reminds me of poker player Phil Helmuth. If it wasn't for luck he would have won everything. Whah! Whah! Whah!

Answer 9

I don't like Gordon but think Wallace is a terrible commentator

Answer 10

I like Rusty i think hes a good commentator... he might hold a grdudge against Gordon but thats his personal opinion ... he can say whatever he wants.