Kurt Busch and Dale Earnhardt Jr…
I think they have
something in common. What possibly could that be? Well, public image changes recently.
Let me explain. I have been noticing changes in “public” Dale
in the last 2 years and changes in Kurt just in the last few months. When you
see them in an interview now, they are different then how they once were. They
seem calm, relaxed, articulate, and smooth. How did they get there, though? I
believe it is something they might have in common as well: People in their
life. Before, Dale Earnhardt Jr. did not seem to like interviews
with the media. He seemed rather uncomfortable and ready to get it over with.
When asked a question, he would give short answers and often look at the ground.
Then came the 10th anniversary of his father’s passing and his
pairing up with Steve Letarte as his crew chief. That’s when I started to
notice a change. I think the 10 year mark of the day his father passed was
somewhat of a closure for Junior. That day will always hurt, but I think he has
finally come to terms with it. Also, Steve seems to have pulled Earnhardt
slowly out of his shell. Earnhardt admitted in an interview a few years ago
that while he was at the track, he stayed mostly in his RV. He didn’t go restaurants
around the track or other public outings like that. When Letarte became his
crew chief, though, he helped Dale get out more and enjoy the uniqueness of
each track’s town. The two seem not only to get along well, but work together
well, too. Dale seems happier, healthier, and more motivated than he has been
in a long time. Because of that, I’ve seen a completely new side of Dale.
Two things last year caught my eye. First, Dale wrote a
heart-felt letter to his 16 year old self. It was very reflective and read like
something that he put a lot of time and thought into. It showed a much deeper
side of him. After that, because he said he felt compelled, Dale wrote a
good-sized article about his love for the Washington Redskins. Dale became
literary Dale, and was good at it too! Who knew that the guy who usually
answered questions in no more than 10 words, could express himself in that way!
Then the change became noticeable in his interviews. He elaborated in way he had
never done before and actually seemed relaxed. To take it a step further, Dale
actually commentated part of the Michigan Nationwide race! I thought he did
very well. Along with these changes off track, has come changes on track. Dale
has become a better driver and the whole team is performing great. I think Dale
is on the rise, and will soon start getting those wins.
Now let’s talk about Kurt. I honestly thought Kurt was done.
After all the rants, threats to the media, fines, suspensions, and getting
demoted to a “B” team, the only thing that seemed to keep Kurt from disappearing
completely was his large amount of talent. In the recent months though, I have
seen a change I never thought I would see, and I think it came from his girlfriend,
Patricia Driscoll. She has stood by her man and has maybe even helped him get through
one of the big obstacles in his path: his perspective toward and relationship
with the media. As everyone knows, Kurt hated the media with a passion. He
seemed uncomfortable, annoyed, short-tempered, and impatient. It got him in
trouble a few times too. It makes you wonder if Patricia has worked with Kurt
to help him feel less tense around the media, control his temper, and give
good, articulate answers. As president of the Armed Forces Foundation, she
would be very skilled in addressing the media and developing a good relationship
with them. As I watched Kurt in an interview Sunday, before the Michigan race,
the change was very apparent. He seemed relaxed and happy, like he was enjoying
the interview! His answers were great, and for the first time in a long time,
he looked marketable. Patricia may be Kurt’s miracle worker, and she very well
might have saved his career. Even if you are not a Kurt fan, you could see a
side of him last Sunday that was a lot more likeable.
I’m glad to have seen
changes for the better in both of them, and I think it will serve them well in the future.
