Being a Fan, Means Being A Fan Even When Times Are Bad.

  I'm really starting to doubt loyalty of some towards their favorite driver. They claim that they are "fans", but I'm not really sure how they can say that; because when their driver isn't running to well, all they want to do is critize, the driver, pit crew, and crew chief. Normally, I would keep my cool, and not say anything, because that's their right to feel how they feel, and say what they want. But when the critizing comes from someone who claims they love their driver, and supports them no matter what, then I'm going to speak up, especially if it's Kasey they are talking about.

  But before we even get into that, we need to look at what being a fan really means, because sometimes I feel like, people don't know. According to the dictionary a fan is described as an enthusiastic devotee, follower, or admirer of a sport, past-time, or celebrity.

 Now that we know what it means, can we say that we really are fans of what we say we are? I know that I can. You will NEVER hear me say anything bad about Kasey Kahne, Kenny Francis, Keith Rodden, and other memebers of the 4 pit crew. I don't care how bad they are running, they could be running last in every race, and I would have the same amount of faith, in them, that I have right now.  If you know me, personally then you know that I think the world of Kenny and Kasey. Simply put that is.

 I know that every week, they try their hardest to have a winning car, and sometimes they have it and sometimes they don't. You'll never hear me say that "Kasey needs to start driving", or he "needs to drive his butt off", and you'll never hear me complain about the starting position, or how he qualifies. I would love for him to go out there every week and start on the pole, but realistically that's impossible, and I know that. There are going to be terrible qualifying runs, it's how it goes, but I'm not going to belittle the team or the driver and crew chief for that, I'm going to say we'll get em' sunday. Like I've said since day one. 

 Its really starting to make me mad, when I hear fellow "fans", making remarks like that. Because you can't sit there and tell me, your a fan when you talk like that. I don't care how mad you get, or irritated you are. There is no excuse for it, because if you were really a fan, you would know that they are doing everything that they can do to win, and they want to win, just as bad as everyone else. Did they run how I wanted them to on Saturday? No, but did I say anything bad? Nope, neither did alot of other Kasey Kahne fans. I kept the faith, that they were trying their damnedest.

 I really think that people need to think about where their dedication really does lie, and with what driver. I really bit my tounge the other night, when this supposed fan, was saying all these things, and I finally asked her if she really was a fan, because it didn't seem like it, at all. She claims that she was just "irritated", I don't care. You will don't say those things about a driver that you claim to support through anything.

 I'm starting to think that alot of people need to start, learning what it's like to be a real fan, and not just one on raceday. Because they are so clueless.

Crew Chief of the Week for March 27 - April 3, 2011 : "Easy" Kenny Francis

 Name: "Easy" Kenny Francis.
 Birthday: December 1, 1969
 Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida. 

Pre-NASCAR Racing History: 
 - Began racing go-karts at the age of 8. 
 - Drove a late Model, in the 1980's. 
 - Won a state championship.


Education: 
 -Studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Florida. 

Other: 
 - Kenny worked at a local power plant, while still in college. 


NASCAR Career: 
 -In 1996, he stopped driving, and went to work on the Engines in what was then called the Busch Series. 
- He spent from 1996-1998, in the NASCAR Busch Series as part of the pit crew. 
- In 1998, he was hired by Robert Yates, to work on Dale Jarrett's team, in what is now the Cup Series. 
- Following the '2,000' Season, he was offered an engineering position at Evernham Motorsports. 
- He became crew chief and team director for Jeremy Mayfield; in 2002.
- In 2005, he became the Crew Chief for Kasey Kahne, and has led them to 10 of their 11 wins. An All-Star race win; 12 Pole Positions; and 30 Top's 5's.


My Take on Kenny Francis: 

    If you know me, and you've been reading this blog; then you'll know that I love Kasey Kahne, and his Crew Chief, Kenny Francis. Plain and Simple. He might not be as good as Chad Knaus in most peoples opinion. However, in mine, he is. Although, they haven't been able to figure out this new chassis for Red Bull, I believe they are doing everything that they can to. They want to win; can you blame them?  
   Let me just say this in conclusion : Kenny Francis will follow Kasey to Hendrick next year. That much is a no- brainer. It's not official yet, but just watch it will be.

--All info regarding Kenny Francis, can be found at WikiPedia





 

Kahne Vs. Allmendinger

    On Saturdays, I go to the local dirt track races to enjoy them. Not to listen to someone who barely knows anything at all about NASCAR, bash my favorite driver. Normally, while I'm there I mind my own business, and I don't normally pay attention to what others are saying or talking about. Whenever, you sit there and talk about my favorite driver in a negative way, I tend to get just a tad bit annoyed, and sometimes even pissed off. It's a pretty terrible idea to try and tell me that your favorite driver who just happens to be AJ Allmendinger, has more talent in his little finger, than Kasey does in his whole body. Yeah, I'm not going to sit and let that go on. Trust me, this guy knows.
  Here's just a suggestion, I'm not saying that I know everything about NASCAR, but I know enough to not bash on someone else's driver when your driver is worse. But I've decided that I'm going to put this whole Kasey vs. AJ thing to rest. I'm going to list some facts about each driver and let the stats speak for themselves.
  
  Kasey Kahne:

• Races: 257
• Wins : 11
• Top Fives: 49
• Top Tens : 90
• Top Twenties : 149
• Poles : 20
• Average Finish : 18.24
• Average Start : 13.90
• Total Laps Led : 3,024
• Total Laps: 71,182
• % of Laps Complete : 93.39
• DNF's : 38

Other Kasey Kahne Facts :

• 2011, is the 8th year in cup for Kasey.
• Kahne was the first ever fan vote winner, to win the All-Star Race.
• Kahne went on to win, the Coca Cola 600, the following weekend.
• Kahne left Richard Petty Motorsports 5 races early, last year, to join Red Bull Racing Team (the team that AJ was released from).
• In 2012, Kasey Kahne is headed over to Hendrick Motorsports.
• Most of Kahne's win come on Intermediate Tracks (Tri-Oval) to be more specific.
• Well respected, by most drivers in the NASCAR garage.

AJ Allmendinger :

• Races: 121
• Wins: 0
• Top Fives : 3
• Top Tens : 14
• Top Twenties: 64
• Poles : 1
• Average Start: 21.9
• Average Finish : 22.59
• Total Laps Led : 195
• Total Laps : 34,268
• % of Laps Completed : 93.05%
• DNF's: 11

Other AJ Allmendinger Facts :

• He has no wins.
• He hasn't ever been voted into the All-Star Race, as the Fan Vote.
• Was released from Red Bull Racing (where Kasey Kahne is at now).
• Caused 2 huge Pocono wrecks, last year. Both involving RPM teammates.
• Has a good couple seasons, but then they fall apart, quickly.

So there you go, there are some simple facts. Take them or leave them, I think they speak for theirselves. Learn to think before you speak. .

All stats found at: http://www.driveraverages.com/