Champion Traits Story and photos by Dwight Drum
© 2005-7 Dwight Drum Web work by Larsen & Drum
Interviewers: Dwight Drum & Debbie Speicher
36 Champions, 90 Contenders, One Question
In the fast world of motorsports probably little measurable difference separates the champions from close contenders. In the highly competitive sport of stock car racing luck and lack of crashes determine a good part of grasping the championship trophy. In drag racing the timing of broken parts at high speeds can carry a champion to the next win down the straight track. In open-wheel racing crashes and broken parts during left and right turns can stop or thrust a championship quest. Motorsports has so many variables, human, mechanical, even weather conditions that influence the results of seasonal championships.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Kasey Kahne Ron Capps Danica Patrick Bobby Gerhart
90 CONTENDERS
If there were a way to measure the complex human ingredients it takes to produce a NASCAR, NHRA or IndyCar champion there would be a mad rush to buy the formula and hasty searches to find the drivers with the right mix. Life and science doesn't work that way.
Motorsports champions know a lot about driving, winning and communicating, but they can't be expected to identify all it really takes to excel to the top. The human and mechanical variables are simply too complicated.
Contenders Define Champions
Dwight Drum asked champions and distinguished drivers what it takes to be a champion. Some champions and drivers answered at Darlington, the track "Too Tough To Tame" where many champions had skills tested and stretched. The King spoke out at Richmond. Debbie Speciher asked others via teleconference. The answers are revealing, especially when shown one after the other.
We didn't expect them to be able to identify all that is impossible to know about the chemistry of a champion, but that didn't stop us from asking. It didn't stop them from trying to answer either.
We learned from the sum of their comments, we hope you enjoy it as well.
THE Question: Do you believe that NASCAR champions have common traits and abilities, and if so could you identify a few? Something that sets them apart?
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Debbie Speicher asked, do you believe NASCAR champions have common traits and abilities? If so, could you identify a few?
"I can't understand your question, ma'am."
Do you believe NASCAR champions have common traits and abilities? If they do, can you identify a few of them? Your ability to drive would be a trait that is common to all of you.
"I feel like I'm in science class (laughter)."
Maybe your reflexes?
"Yeah. I think some people have better peripheral vision than others. I think maybe all of us have the same peripheral vision, but others are more acute or aware to it. My father could look straight ahead but concentrate on something on the very edge of his vision, almost nearly behind him."
"I think a lot of drivers can, not only do that, but can actually concentrate on two things that they're watching. Reflexes, maybe, I don't know.
"One thing is -- one thing that makes a champion, I don't know if this is necessarily a trait, but it's sort -- there's a raw determination that you are instilled with as a child that nothing can really -- like fame and fortune and money can sort of take that away from someone and take away the drive, you know. You sort of lose the drive once you've acquired an enormous wealth or whatever. Some people do.
"The champions may acquire wealth. They can maintain that determination. I think that says a lot about their character. I mean, more tangible kind of traits, I don't know. The peripheral vision thing was something I was always amazed by my dad, because he could see a lot of things happening behind him. If you'd be standing out in the field, he was always that way."
I bet you got his eyes.
"Well, I hope I do."
For answers to the same question by 17 NASCAR Veteran contenders go to >> More NASCAR Veterans
Kasey Kahne
"I think there's a lot you can learn from champions. I've watched them and learned from them and feel like it's made me a better race car driver. They definitely do some of the same things, not all of them the same. They have some things that they do differently, some ways they race differently, but if you look at champions they do a lot of same stuff."
For answers to the same question by 19 NASCAR youthful contenders including go to >> MORE NASCAR Youths
Ron Capps
"That's a great question. You know what I think it is. You never hear a champion, Tony Stewart, Andretti, whoever it is, no matter what type of motorsports or even sports for that matter, you'll never hear a champion talk about how good he is. You never hear a champion ever tell you how much they hate to lose. It's a given.
"You hear some of the other drivers out here, they'll get out, throw their helmets and huff and puff. They kick the car because they hate to lose. You know what, guess what, we all hate to lose or we wouldn't be winning races or being champions. The common trait I think more than anything else is a champion never has to tell you how bad he hates to lose and you'll never, ever hear the guy brag about himself."
"That's a great question. You know what I think it is. You never hear a champion, Tony Stewart, Andretti, whoever it is, no matter what type of motorsports or even sports for that matter, you'll never hear a champion talk about how good he is. You never hear a champion ever tell you how much they hate to lose. It's a given.
"You hear some of the other drivers out here, they'll get out, throw their helmets and huff and puff. They kick the car because they hate to lose. You know what, guess what, we all hate to lose or we wouldn't be winning races or being champions. The common trait I think more than anything else is a champion never has to tell you how bad he hates to lose and you'll never, ever hear the guy brag about himself."
For answers to the same question by 12 NHRA contenders go to >> More NHRA Contenders.
Danica Patrick
Common traits, you obviously have to be good. You have to be talented. You have to be determined. You have to have a good blend of aggression and patience, because you have to finish the race if you want to get that far."
Do you feel you have any of those traits?
"I would sure as heck hope so."
For answers to the same question by four IndyCar contenders go to >> More Indy Car Contenders.
Bobby Gerhart
"I would think so. I think any champion certainly, probably starts the day's first step in the morning knowing he is a champion. That's something that takes a long time to get bred into a guy. On the other hand it comes natural to some other people. I think it's almost a pattern of life. If you feel deep inside that you are a champion you can certainly make it a whole lot easier on yourself to become one."
For answers to the same question by 10 ARCA contenders go to >> More ARCA Contenders.
Eddie Cheever:
"I would take the word champion and replace it with the word successful people. Even a successful kid in kindergarten is a good more thorough than the other ones are. I feel you never do enough. There's always a way to do something better tomorrow than you did today. If you keep that attitude you will achieve what you are trying to achieve."
For answers to the same question by 9 Grand Am Rolex contenders go to >> More Grand Am Contenders
Gary St. Amant (2-time ASA Champion)
"It's hard to say because it's more luck than anything when you win championships. It's all gotta go your way. One year you come out and dominate 13 races and the next year you may be able to catch a flag a couple times. It all depends. If you're a champion you got certain traits you can share, but when it comes to compare it all depends on who has the best luck that season to become a champion.
"One thing I always think about when it comes to winning championships, I'll never forget. I won my first ASA championship and I was watching a documentary on John Force and said after he won his seventh or eighth championship and he remembered when he won his first one. Somebody told him that you win your first championship you might be a flash in the pan, when you win your second championship now you've done something. I think about that a lot. Jimmie Johnson is a good friend of mine. I feel like calling him after he has basked in the glory of winning his first championship and calling him about that and give him a little inspiration to win a second one."
For answers to the same question by 12 USAR Pro Cup contenders go to >> More Hooters Pro Cup Contenders
Danny Lososki
Do Champions have common traits and abilities and if so could you identify a few? "I just think if you are a race car driver, you can drive anything. So that's just how I feel about it."For answers to the same question by five USAC Sprint Car contenders go to >> More USAC Contenders
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