1. Michael Waltrip: Makes so many commericals, but is so terrible on the race track.
2. Kenny Wallace: No career wins in Nextel Cup, but is so popular with the fans, because he's on SPEED Channel's NASCAR Today.
3. Ryan Newman: Hasn't won a race or finished in the top-10 in points since 2005.
2007-11-22 05:02:39 · 35 answers · asked by abustos_ab 2 in Sports ➔ Auto Racing ➔ NASCAR
you forgot one Jeff Gordon
2007-11-22 05:05:46 · answer #1 · answered by mrs_pipesmoker 7 · 12⤊ 13⤋
Kenny Wallace and Michael Waltrip are great ambassadors of the sport. As drivers Waltrip has accomplished a few things that some have yet to accomplish. So driving being the factor, he shouldn't be eliminated. Kenny Wallace only has been racing the Winston/Nextel/Sprint Cup series for a few years and it's been on and off. His passion is really in the feeder series. But Cup is where the money is at.
Heart goes a long way, especially in a sport that is slowly being overrun with over sensationalism that plagues other pro sports.
But to answer your question:
1. Dale Junior - Sorry Jr. Nation fans (my wife is one) but he's been riding the coat-tails of his father for too long. I'm happy to see him with HMS so he can actually focus on being a driver rather than a lost legend's son.
2. Juan Pablo Montoya - Yes he's a rookie this year. But being the "poster boy" of the New Face of NASCAR has put him in the spotlight way too much. You can't sit through ESPN Coverage without them mentioning him at least once. He's hot headed, has no respect for veteran series drivers, and pretty much thinks just because he won an championship in a completely different series (several years ago) that this series is child's play.
3. Dale Jarrett - I normally wouldn't put a former champ on this sort of list. Unlike his father who got out of the racing game while he was on top, Dale Jarrett decided to make a few extra bucks. He was supposed to carry Waltrip's new Toyota team to the top. Instead he utilized all his "champ provisionals" just to make the show. When those ran out, it was all he could do to even qualify.
2007-11-23 19:54:10 · answer #2 · answered by defiantdj 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
srjrfan - BTW, the reason Hendrick put Earnhardt jr. in a car was because he IS the most popular driver and that means Hendrick will have 3 of the most popular drivers on the circuit. This translates into money for Hendrick. The more money, the more competitive you can be.
As for the overrated drivers:
1. Earnhardt jr - Can you tell me of any other driver who has not won a race in over 60+ races, but gets more airtime then the winners of races or the Championship contenders?
2. Waltrip - Gotta agree with most everyone here. Nice guy, but as far as fielding a winning car, he cant.
3. W. Burton - When he makes a race, it is almost as if God has come back to earth. Again, Ward is a great guy, but as far a a racer, cannot hold a match to the competition.
Now, Ryan Newman has not won in 2 years, yes, but he is not overrated. You know why? Every week he is not picked to win. To be overrated you must be picked to do well week in and week out and then fall on your back. Ryan is never mentioned. As for Earnhardt jr., he fits this definition to a tee.
2007-11-23 03:25:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
What about JR.? hes the most popular NASCAR driver and has never won a nextel cup. hes always got some excuse why he loses like "i can't get a good car" . this year he complained his seat was hurting his back. We'll see if he wins any races on NASCARS best team next season
2007-11-24 08:05:00 · answer #4 · answered by MPN 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
This guy got famous because he has his daddy's name, he stayed famous because of marketing, and he's famous today because of his abilities as a politician. He's the "most popular driver in NASCAR", and I even read an artical on nascar.com about how he's the "real winner this season". He's a joke. He has no love for his sport, he's there for the fame and the paycheck. He drives like **** every Sunday, and spends the rest of the week playing with the media.
Remember the old days when all drivers cared about was driving? This was hilariously emphasized in the movie "Stroker Ace": A driver wants to drive every Sunday and win, he occasionally has to dress up for the cameras in order to get the funding to make that happen. Dale Earnhardt Jr. seems to drive every Sunday so that he can dress up for the camera's the rest of the week.
Jeff Gordon didn't make my top 3 list for most overrated driver because even though I can't stand him either, he does have the consistant wins to back up his constant media coverage.
2007-11-23 06:27:12 · answer #5 · answered by Rick G 1 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Dale Earnhardt Jr
Michael Waltrip
Kevin Harvick
2007-11-24 02:31:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jeff Gordon
Jimmie Johnson
Dale Earnhardt Jr
2007-11-25 10:23:47 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
1. Dale Earnhardt Junior- Defending this is easy, people seem to think he is the best for some reason despite ample evidence to the contrary. What exactly has he done thus far? Exactly! Over-rated and anyone who leaves him off this list is delusional even if they love him.
2. Michael Waltrip, good with DEI, terrible with Toyota, and it's what I like to call poetic justice for leaving Chevrolet for Japanese equipment, and wish nothing but bad things for any
Toyota team-This would include the filth at JGR.
3. Tie-Denny Hamlin-so far....But he has potential, just watching the way he disappeared after about July was a little disturbing but the kid can drive for real. Could change in a hurry.
Kasey Kahne, went from 2nd place dominance as a rook to 6 wins, to toilet in 3 years. Needs better equipment (which he will soon get) to see if he's a something or an also ran.
2007-11-22 19:03:17 · answer #8 · answered by abiogeek2 4 · 6⤊ 5⤋
Another case of confusing "overrated" with "most popular"!
Kenny Wallace is a genuine guy who's not afraid to mingle with the public plus he's funny as hell in person.
2007-11-22 20:18:16 · answer #9 · answered by Frankie Coletta 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
1. Dale, Jr. Look at all the hype...and what has he done?
2. Kevin Harvick.
3. Ryan Newman.
2007-11-22 17:18:18 · answer #10 · answered by ozwol 3 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Overrated in what respect? By the media? The fans? or The industry?
I agree with "Jim M", Micheal Waltrip and Kenny Wallace are very good NASCAR PR guys. They love the sport and they have no problem talking it up. Because they are lite and humorous, people like them. (I like them).
The media of course likes to talk about Dale Earnhardt Jr. Why? Because in terms of merchandising sales, and fan voting, HE IS todays MOST popular driver. In hat sales alone, I bet he makes more than you or me in a year.
The best drivers out there are not always they most popular.
In my opinion, Kenny Schrader, Robbie Gordan and Greg Biffle are among the top drivers. I also feel Carl Edwards is there as well. And like it or not, Kyle Busch is ne of the better drivers out there now. And he certainly is not very popular.
Don't forget, drivers are only as good as their equipment. And there is so many things that affect the driving on those cars, it's not funny. If you don't believe it, by a NASCAR racing game for your computer and see how difficult it is to set up a car.
Your point is well taken, it did get some folks to thinking, and has been fun to answer. Thank you.
2007-11-22 15:47:37 · answer #11 · answered by fl_freewheelie 2 · 6⤊ 6⤋