Ricky Rudd ?!?

Elwood · October 7, 2001

I used to be a fan of Ricky. He wasn't my favorite, but I didn't mind seeing him win. Heck, I've been rooting for him to win the championship. But now he's really ticking me off. I don't care if it wasn't related to previous incidents and was just a racing accident, he still hit Rusty on pit road. For me that was the last straw, I'm tired of his whining, and his driving. If he got hit by Rusty on pit road he would me furious right now. Unless he really says something after this rae to change my mind, I'm sure I'll never root for him again. As of now I hope he doesn't catch Gordon in points. I really hope he changes my mind, because I hate to not root against Gordon in the points; but from the looks of it I guess I won't be pushing for Gordon to lose the lead now. Rudd is right in the same class as his teammate Jarrett, and Jeff Gordon in my opinion now.

Sorry for the venting.

Bill89 · October 10, 2001

The pit road incident was just a mishap. But did you read the article about Rudd talking about him not winning the Championship unless someone took out Gordon in some races. He even mentioned Jimmy Spencer. To me that is a poor sport. I'm sure and I hope that if someone does take out Gordon that Gordon'e team mates will step up and take care of Ricky. :angry:

bowtiefan · October 10, 2001

Never have liked rudd and hate him even more now. If somebody takes gordon out pay backs are a ##### and that driver will get paid back real good. I hope rusty buts rudd inot the wall again i would love to see it i dont want to see a hard hit just a little tap on the bumper and a little scarp into the wall just enough to make rudds car drive like junk o wait its a ford its already junk.

JSheaJr · October 10, 2001

Ricky Rudd and Dale Jarrett are both whiners and complainers. But, what do you expect from Ford drivers?! Neither one of them can catch Gordon anyhow!!

quadrunner500 · October 10, 2001

I'm a big fan of #24, but I have to tell you, Ricky Rudd is one of the nicest personalities in all of Nascar. I had garage pass for the Kansas City race. Drivers can be masters of disguise when then go from the garage to the motorhomes. Terry Labonte...talk about incognito...puts on jeans and sneakers, slumps around under a blue ford cap. If you aren't sharp, you can't distinguish him from any other bubba. Bobby Labonte is nice. Jarrett just makes sure he's surrounded. Jeff Gordon dispenses with disguise, moves quickly with a purpose, but will sign a tee shirt or autograph if you can catch him. Ricky Rudd is sort of like that, doesn't have a lot of time, but will acknowledge you, stop, turn to speak to you personally, always polite. Rusty Wallace...switches his charm on and off, especially near the cameras. Mayfield is very friendly. Robby Gordon really plays off a crowd. On the other side of a fence, fans were 6 deep calling Robbie, Robbie! He hesitated...then looked at the faces, tepidly walked over to sign an autograph or two, and then didn't stop until everybody who wanted one got one. Won me over, even if he is a hot head at times.

Bill89 · October 10, 2001

I know that Rudd is a nice guy. My brother drove him around the track when they were here in Texas this year. He was very nice and talkked to him all the way around the track. But to make a comment about someone taking out Gordon is just BS. While I was in the pits a couple of years ago the Cup guys were practing and we were standing beside the entrance to the garage. All the drivers drove by us. (about 3 to 5 feet away) I waved at every driver. The only one to way back was Darrel Waltrip. When he was in the Pennzoil car. And While my brother and another lady were standing with cameras ready, Gordon came around the corner and hit the brakes to slow down. No other driver did either.

Kansas Kid · October 10, 2001

I kind of think that Ricky might be letting the pressure of winning a points championship get to him. I mean, he is getting towards the end of his career and he knows it. It would mean alot for him to win the championship, and this is his best shot (maybe his last).

I haven't really liked him for a long time, but it has seemed like his personality has changed in the past year or two.

Kansas Kid · October 10, 2001

Quote from quadrunner500, posted on Oct. 10 2001,12:01

I had garage pass for the Kansas City race.

What did you think of the track in KC? I was there (no pit pass though) and thought it seemed like a really nice facility. I was able to get a couple of autographs, and met John Andretti. He is a really nice guy as well. I think most of these guys are really nice when you get them away from the track, but some of them sure change when they are at the track. I can understand why too. Afterall, the are working, and if it was me I sure wouldn't want bothered for autographs, interviews all the time....

Elwood · October 10, 2001

My parents have met Rusty a couple times and he always stops for autographs. That's how I got all three of his autographs that I have. He even had his picture taken with my mom when they stopped by PenskeSouth and he happened to be there. I don't know about many other drivers other than Richard Petty, but everybody knows he signs them all the time. I know Junior Johnson used to just let anybody who showed up wonder around the shop and take pictures and talk when he owned Bill Elliot's and Sterlin Marlin's cars. They even saw Jeff Green at Johnson's shop when he very first started to run a busch car. Dad said he was extremely nice and talked to them for a while (can you imagine that?). One who I have heard turns the charm on and off alot is Mark Martin. My uncle works for Valvoline and he said Martin is one of the biggest a#$holes he's ever met. He said he was just plain rude to people when he came into the plants for promos and in the hospitality tents. I've never heard about Rudd until now. I always liked him, but I don't anymore. I used to like Martin alot more than I do now, after I heard the stories my uncle told me I don't what to think about him.

As for Jeff Gordon, I don't like him, but from what I've heard he is halfway polite ti the fans. I guess everybody has at least one good point. ;)

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Edited by Mountaineer Tom

Actually, that's my mom. I've been telling Elwood since we were kids, that he's not really mom and dad's son.

quadrunner500 · October 10, 2001

Kansas kid, KC track I is very nice. As you know, the race was sold out. Only way we could see it was the garage pass, which let us into the pits (lousy place to watch a race), or the infield between turns 3 and 4 which is a great place to watch a race! We were never allowed into the grandstands.

By the way, whoever said it...is right about King Richard, he signs autographs, stops and lets you take his picture with him...amazing.

I wanted to see John Andretti, missed him. Anybody could have sat down with Jeff Green on Friday next to his hauler. Next day, he won the Busch race.

>>But did you read the article about Rudd talking about him not winning the Championship unless someone took out Gordon in some races. He even mentioned Jimmy Spencer. To me that is a poor sport. I'm sure and I hope that if someone does take out Gordon that Gordon'e team mates will step up and take care of Ricky. <<

I think Ricky's quote is being taken out of context. Not only has he always been a clean driver, you have to put into perspective what he meant. He was the race leader, battling for a points championship, when R. Wallace, then a lapper, spun him out. Ricky I believe was lamenting that fact tongue in cheek, bemoaning his luck it should happen to him, since it isn't happening to J. Gordon.

Elwood · October 10, 2001

Quote from quadrunner500, posted on Oct. 10 2001,5:01

I think Ricky's quote is being taken out of context. Not only has he always been a clean driver, you have to put into perspective what he meant. He was the race leader, battling for a points championship, when R. Wallace, then a lapper, spun him out. Ricky I believe was lamenting that fact tongue in cheek, bemoaning his luck it should happen to him, since it isn't happening to J. Gordon.

I think they may be taken out of context too, but I have to disagree that he has always been a clean driver. I believed this had been covered in previous threads, so I won't list any specific incidents.