Re: Bubble Gum
Whitetop, I believe you are right about WJ's school of personality. I had stood at the end of his pit for about 30 minutes watching what was going on while he parked his butt in a lounge chair. He finally stood up and came over to where my wife and I were standing and he said how would like an autograph from the "Professor"? I jokingly said great, didn't know Bill Blanding was still around. A couple of guys in his crew just busted out laughing and he walked off and said "can't believe someone would not want an autograph from the best PS driver around." (Talking about arrogance) Another guy standing over near him said "you mean "the Grump" is hear?" His crew just busted out again and he just got po'd and went inside his trailer. What was bad it was at Atlanta, his home track! He is a good driver but has no personality, KJ is not much better either.
When it comes to the one driver who had the most class of any in the Pro Stock ranks it would have to be Wally Booth. This guy always projected a clean cut image. I never saw him turn away autograph seekers or anyone wanting a picture. When it came time to race it was another story, he should have had "Ice Man" on the sides of his cars.
One thing is for sure, you will never see the same type of personalities that you did from the 60's to the late 70's in the pro ranks. There were a lot of great driver's that have already passed that did not need the showmanship of todays pro's. I can't remember Dick Harrell, Pete Robinson, or Don Carlton needing to wear goofey looking sunglass' or shoot off at the mouth while talking to a reporter to get attention. They let their driving do the talking. But I guess all of that is now just part of the "show", which really started with the Snake & Mongoo$e at Lions.
Whitetop, I cannot leave out "Jungle Jim" and "Jungle Pam" for showmanship. Until I was about 16 I never understood why dad would not let me around Jim's pit when Pam was around, now I know!. Bet you couldn't have a staging line show like that today either!!!...............RatPack.............
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