Gillland:Forever Branded as a NASCAR Bad Boy!

When one action overwhelms perception!

NASCAR is filled with personalities, ranging from drivers through the owners, NASCAR officials, and indeed, the track owners. Sometimes, one instance can make an impact on how that person will be perceived forever. At Texas Motor Speedway, during the fall Sprint Cup race, we saw an event of pure payback that still is discussed in the media, and has indeed become a label for all actions both previous and future. David Gilliland suddenly became a Bad Boy!

David Gilliland was 2 laps down in 23rd position, and had been told by his crew chief to keep his spot, as they were racing for points position with many of the cars behind them. They also needed to maintain position with an eye on several cars that were only a lap down, as one of them having problems could mean the difference in points and in money for the beleaguered Yates Racing organization.

Many of David's fans, and a few fans of other drivers, were privy to the actions on the track that day. Apparently, ABC was not as informed, as they did not show any of the events leading up to David's 'moment'. Through the 3-D View of NASCAR.com's Raceview, we saw David get punted several times by Juan Pablo Montoya. And those stalwart fans also know that this is not the first time that JPM has punted David. David 'lost it' and for many of his fans, it was about danged time! Would it have been better at a short track? Yes. Would it have been better for David to just loosen JPM? Yes. But it did not happen that way and it appears that David will now be defined by that act for the rest of his career in NASCAR.

To quote David, “Juan and I had been going back and forth for a few laps. Juan got into my left rear and actually lifted my car. I hate that both cars were torn up. I was out there racing. I meant to get him loose but I didn't mean to wreck him and ruin both of our days. I feel real bad for my team and Yates Racing."

Those who know David know that he is one of the nicest men on the track. Somewhat shy and a plain speaker, he usually does not give the practiced and polished persona that many NASCAR drivers ooze publicly. However his fans hear David on the scanner, and they understand that he is passionate and forthright in his communication, and yet the communication is clear of profanity and disrespect to his team members. There are many drivers in NASCAR's top series who cannot make that claim. I have always marveled that the Public Persona of some of NASCAR's top drivers can be at total odds with their persona in private, and the scanner chatter is one of the first places to hear the difference. And yet, many of the media will continue to discuss David's transgression as if he were the worst of Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, and Kevin Harvick rolled into one!

For instance, we have a writer for Foxsports, Kristin Valus, who proclaims that David should go to Anger Management class! Huh? While she mentions the obvious issue at TMS, she also cites David Gilliland at Watkins Glen, as having issues with Michael McDowell. The situation there is widely accepted by the vast majority of NASCAR media not named Kristin, that the WG incident was not David's fault. In fact, the only person who proclaimed otherwise, was McD's team owner, Michael Waltrip, who has since dumped the same driver he so staunchly defended. (And yes, Mikey is totally believable, after Jet-Fuel-Gate, and Track-Bar-Gate!)

Many drivers in NASCAR become defined by specific acts. Those actions become a benchmark for all actions past and future. What is important to understand, is that one act does not define the personality for ever and ever. If it did, then we would see many of NASCAR's top drivers being defined only by their bad parts, and not by their 'good parts.' For instance, Tony Stewart would not be forgiven for many of his on track antics even though he is widely known as a very kind and generous man.

There is so much good about David Gilliland, and I am still a staunch fan! I know that he is not perfect, and yet what David IS, is something that anyone who takes the time to know David will find out, there is a good man under all of that negative perception. Given a half a chance, and a full sponsor, I have no doubts that David will show the world what he can do! And even if he doesn't shed the mantle of 'the dastardly deed' he will make his way into respect by most of NASCAR's drivers, especially those that have already felt the wrath of the JPM bumper!

NASCAR Sponsor Roulette!

What do all of these NASCAR sponsors have in common?

Caterpillar
Target
Red Bull
Valvoline
United States Air Force
Motorcraft
UPS
Microsoft

And what do the above teams have, when combined with the following NASCAR sponsored teams?

Menards
Napa
State Water Heaters
DLP
Mobil One
Aarons Rentals

Both groups are behind the two UNSPONSORED Yates Racing cars in points. And even worse, the first group of sponsors are on cars that are not locked into the Top 35 in points, and have a chance of not even being seen in a race.



photo credit Snafam



photo credit MMSMama via DavidGilliland.com


What is wrong with that picture? Either picture?

Potential Sponsors..... please go to SponsorYates.com. This is your perfect chance to get in at the entry level.

All of the above listed sponsors need to take a long look at their own programs right now. As witnessed by General Mills moving to Richard Childress Racing, it is not too early to start your plans for next year.

After all, today at Texas Motor Speedway, those Yates cars finished 15th and 18th, and outran over half of the field. They will produce for you, too!

Them Texans ain't so bad, at TMS!

Texas Motor Speedway! Things ARE Bigger AND Better in Texas! Having returned from my first trip to this raceway, I flew away from the experience totally exhausted and thrilled to have been there.

Texas is famous for its host of friendly outgoing souls. This is so true! We had a loosely planned, last minute weekend, and I met with my buds from Texas, and a few others from the rest of the world. My thanks to Phil, Jenell, David, and Susan...you guys are the best of hosts! The SFCers who also attended provided me with certainty that there are still some good folks left in the world. Thanks Robin, Mel, and Alnee! And to a certain SpotterDude, you may not have remembered who I was, but I appreciate being included in a special presentation. You have ALMOST converted me back.

The other favorite saying about Texas is ....if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes! Over the course of 3 days, I experienced rain, hail, tornadoes, freezing, biting winds, and baking sun. All in three days. Fortunately, the tornado did not come near the RV park at the track, as we had folks who were unable to make a run for safety. While all of the Texans were as reassuring as possible, this writer used to live in Oklahoma, and is very familiar with the damages that can happen from this kind of unusual weather.

I had many opportunities to meet other racing personalities. Once again, I cannot believe how so many drivers, owners, and TV personalities are so open to their fans. And oh...RICHARD PETTY! It is wonderful to meet a hero!

Oh yeah...the racing? WONDERFUL! The Cup race had some long, green flag runs, but the end was amazing. The crowd was on its feet for 20 laps. TWENTY laps!!!! It gives me solid hopes that in just a few years, Vegas will have just as exciting finishes.

Just a few notes about the weekend:

• I am sure that Eddie Gossage was relieved that the tornado did not touch down at the track. The RV park had most of the 'roads' clogged with folks trying to get to the grandstand. By the time we looked to join the 'rush to shelter' the roads were full of pick-ups. We realized that we had some who could not make a run for it, so we elected to stay. I am sure that Eddie will check out that evacuation plan, and in the future, there will be a more comprehensive plan for evacuation.
• The track information has very specific rules about cooler sizes. Unfortunately, the security staff was not enforcing the rules. I saw coolers that were far to large to fit in the rows, and some sitting in the stairways. I have no objection to coolers, but some of the seating areas could have used more leg room, and adding the coolers made it dangerous to try and climb over seats to head for the 'other facilities.' Twice, I stumbled over others' coolers.
  
• What's the Buzz? Where in the heck did all of the bees come from? In the last 60 laps, suddenly there was a group of bees flying around. Smaller than a swarm, it was still enough to make a few allergic folks flee in panic.
  
• Leaving TMS is the same as leaving the Vegas race. Just expect to tailgate, and hang out for a few hours. Traffic will be non-moving for at least an hour.
• Nationwide...thanks for the trolley's and golf carts! They were a life-saver!

There is no sound in the world like the sound of a full field of roaring sports cars passing by on the parade lap, except for the sound of the full field passing by to the green flag!

There is no view like the brightly colored cars zooming by so fast that you can't even focus on who is who, unless you pick them out and stare at them through the turns.

There is no aroma quite like the exhaust and the smoke from the rubber from a burnout!

There is no crowd experience quite like the crowd at TMS...a mere 170 thousand of my closest friends.

There is no experience ever quite like a race. And a race at TMS is just that much more special.