Should They Be Role Models?

Fan Commentary by Grandstand Bob

It’s about this time every year when fans, drivers and the media get all stirred up about confrontations on and off the track. Not coincidentally, we just came off a pretty good string of racetracks, Bristol, Darlington and Richmond. Those tracks simply produce good, competitive racing, and good, competitive racing produces emotion, and that’s what many critics have said that the sport lacks. Then, there are those who want only the “right” kind of emotion.

As Kevin Harvick said, we need to make up our mind if we want “vanilla” or “chocolate” drivers. Too little emotion, and people accuse you of being boring. Too much, and you’re a prima donna, unfit to be a role model. That’s right, a role model.

It’s an unfortunate, but undeniable truth that many fans treat drivers as role models. How anyone can get the idea that possessing superior racing skills qualifies one as a role model is beyond me, but there are those who believe this way. It’s an added weight on any athlete’s shoulders to be a role model.

As a parent of two, I have some experience with the demands of being a role model. Everything my children see me do influences the way that they envision themselves as adults, and they are quick to point out my shortcomings. Whether they directly tell me that I need to watch my language or simply repeat what comes out of my mouth when I’m agitated, the message is clear: I’m held to a higher standard, because I’m a parent and a role model.

For me to push that off on an unrelated adult who I don’t personally know is irresponsible and unfair. We’re all humans, and as such, capable of fault. And when you are an adult celebrity, when there is fault, it’s pretty hard to keep it quiet. Just ask Jeff Gordon. Not too long ago, many fans wished that their children grew up to be like Jeff Gordon. Imagine those fans explaining why Jeff is getting divorced. I’m sure that it bothers Jeff to think of letting those people down, but he probably shouldn’t have been put in that place anyway.

All that said, there are some Winston Cup behaviors that I would like to my children emulate, and I’ll start with Kevin Harvick. Yes, he can be brash, but what he is not is a pushover. I watched the end of the Richmond race with my four-year-old son, and we talked about how it is OK to tell people that you are unhappy with them if you feel that they did something bad to you or your friends. It’s called standing up for yourself.

On the opposite end of the emotion spectrum is Terry Labonte, and I’ve pointed to Terry as an example of restrained intensity. Terry does his talking on the track, and he makes his point with simple, restrained comments. The way he handled himself after getting “his cage” rattled a few years back at Bristol has forever earned my respect and admiration. My son was too little to learn from that example, but if it happened again, I would use it as a teaching experience, which I believe is a better approach than putting someone in the cumbersome and awkward position of a role model.

Instead of setting someone like Tony Stewart up as a role model, why not talk about how hard he has had to work to get where he is or how hard he has to work to stay at the top, even though he won the championship only one year ago. Talk about the hard work and dedication needed to be a crewmember or the guts and determination it takes to put together a racing team.

Then, when drivers screw up, as we all do from time to time, talk about how the situation could be better handled. Who knows, maybe by doing so, we can create a whole new generation of sports journalists.       

Grandstand Bob Profile and Past Columns

note: This opinions expressed in this column are those of writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of ARS Racing Outlet or its parent company, Beydler and Bell, LLC.