For the past twenty-one months I have had the privilege of
addressing 'Jeff Gordon Online' readers on the subjects of stock car
racing history, and current Winston Cup events.
Although I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to express my views,
the time has come to move toward another endeavor.
My goals with regard to this project were to correct the misinformation,
which has been passed down through the generations by both NASCAR and
the stock car racing press.
Unlike other sports where records are records, and contributors of
every era are immortalized, the historians of NASCAR have chosen to both
ignore the contributions of their early heroes, and selectively record
the accomplishments of their chosen heroes.
I am continually amazed that the powers that be in Daytona Beach disregard Richard Petty's ten consecutive victory streak because it occurred in 1967. And the fact that Fred Lorenzen became the first stock car driver in history to win races at all five of the South's original superspeedways. Ironically, there is no discussion of the Lorenzen feat in any official NASCAR record. That omission is a travesty at best, and an outrage at worst. It is also notable that when "the Elmhurst Express" retired in 1967 as NASCAR's all time superspeedway winner, that not a word is mentioned on his Hall of Fame plaque. Yes, Lorenzen's superspeedway win total has since been broken by many drivers, but none of those drivers drove Lorenzen's car in Lorenzen's era. When you surpass Fireball Roberts, Junior Johnson, Richard Petty, and David Pearson in big track wins, with fewer starts, it should be mentioned in your biography. It is also curious that when the "Golden Boy" returned to racing at the age of 35 in 1970, he was unable to secure a ride in anything faster than a garbage truck.
I am not a conspiracy theorist, but I firmly believe there were people
connected with NASCAR that did not want to see the man who once filled
the stands and then walked away, get another chance.
There is simply no other reason a driver of his skill level could not secure a top ride.
On a similar note, one has to find current Ford commercials featuring
Dan Gurney, who won five Cup races to be a little odd when both
Fireball Roberts and Fred Lorenzen who combined for sixty
wins are not mentioned. Yes, Dan won a number of events in other
venues, but the commercial is about Fords!
I have also found an overt bias against Jeff Gordon in the modern press,
and I expect it has much of the same origin as the anti-Lorenzen
sentiment. Southern sportswriters who control the direction of
nationwide NASCAR publicity, have never acted kindly to folks
born above the Mason-Dixon Line. I think Webster calls it
xenophobia.
Well, let me get down from my soapbox. This time for good.
Again I am grateful for the opportunity that Larry and
'Jeff Gordon Online' have given me. It's been a wild ride!
To all the readers of "Beyond the Grandstand," please accept my thanks
for your support, and heartfelt appreciation for your many kind letters
throughout the past two years.
As a famous man once said, "Every man should learn to ride, shoot, and
speak the truth." I think we shed light on at least one of those issues.
"Best of Luck, Always"
Steve Samples
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