Elliott's actions after the race

[Farkle]

Anybody else think Bill Elliott was being a jerk after the race? I thought his attempt to ignore NBC’s questions while trying to escape from the track and blowing off the post race media session was awfully childish and showed very poor sportsmanship.

Farkle

[IndyIRLman]

I don't think he was a jerk. It seemed obvious that Bill didn't want to talk. They could have just taken that cue and let him go.

[roadracer]

On the contrary, it was a mature reaction. It's usually a good idea not to say anything when angry, disappointed, and otherwise not yourself. As opposed to, say, people like Harvick.

[StatMan]

What did he have to be angry about?

[Littleman]

"Angry" about not being able to beat the # 12 car, maybe?

[jandj]

Originally posted by IndyIRLman
I don't think he was a jerk. It seemed obvious that Bill didn't want to talk. They could have just taken that cue and let him go.

You mean like they took the cue with Smoke?
They're reporters , they don't care if the drivers want to talk or not.If one blows up at them , it only makes for a better film clip on the news.

[IndyIRLman]

Originally posted by jandj

They're reporters , they don't care if the drivers want to talk or not.If one blows up at them , it only makes for a better film clip on the news.

I know that. My point was that I didn't think he was being a jerk. And maybe the reporters could give a guy like Awesome Bill a break. I think he has probably earned it.

[calinoff]

Re: Elliott's actions after the race

Originally posted by Farkle
Anybody else think Bill Elliott was being a jerk after the race? I thought his attempt to ignore NBC’s questions while trying to escape from the track and blowing off the post race media session was awfully childish and showed very poor sportsmanship.

Farkle

_________________________________________

Absolutely not...when did anyone EVER see Bill back out of an interview. I have seen him crash bad...and still sign autographs after the race. It is just that there are some "media" (???) members who can not report to the fans unless there is an "incident"....we call them "hacks.

There are about 25 other drivers out there that should sit in Elliott's motor home and ask him how to behave at an auto race...Ok so there are only 20 of them.

And please I don't want to hear the old saying..."they are entertainers who make alot of money and have to cater to the fans".

Let's be real...if your next door neighbor came home from work and had his car hit during the trip home, would you ask him how come he is mad...?

[carl s]

Refreshing

[Farkle]

It's interesting to read the different takes on his post race actions. I'm still of the opinion he acted in a jerkish manner, but again, that just my opinion. And we all know what opinions are like.... everybody has one

Farkle

[MD-IRLFAN]

Is it now a requirement that all drivers screw on their issued smiles and thank their crews and sponsors like a robot no matter what may have occurred during the race?
Bill Elliot walks away from one interview and suddenly he's 'acting in a jerkish manner'?

This guy has earned and deserves respect. I think a better thread would be discussing why Bill wasn't his usual likeable self following another race won with fuel mileage.

[A-Won-E]

Bill lost a race he should have easily won. The team tested there a week ago, and from the way he mauled the field on more than one occasion, the car was wicked fast for long runs. No doubt the team had it's expectations set upon winning and no other result would do.

Getting beaten by a fellow Dodge team owned by Penske -- who happens to be a master at winning fuel mileage runs -- was a tough pill for Bill to swallow.

Ol Roger is whupping them all pretty good right now. I bet it riles more people than just Bill.

[jandj]

Originally posted by IndyIRLman
I know that. My point was that I didn't think he was being a jerk. And maybe the reporters could give a guy like Awesome Bill a break. I think he has probably earned it.

IndyIRLman , my response wasn't meant to be construed as a direct reply to your post , sorry if it came across that way.

I agree with what you say .
I only meant that the reporters probably did read the cue , and certainly could have given Bill a break but they don't really care about the driver - they are only there to get the best "interview" they can regardless of the situation.

[rlm]

I believe NASCAR "requests" the presence of the top three finishers of each race at a press conference in the media center after the finish of the race. It is my understanding that Bill refused to attend that press conference last Sunday.

Sure he didn't win the race. but correct me if I'm wrong here, isn't a second place finish about the best Bill Eliott has seen in quite some time?

Sure he was disappointed, but at this level, drivers are expected to handle their disappointment and meet with the members of the media. That has become a very large part of their job in today's media driven, entertainment world.

[Murffee]

I agree, if it was Stewart, Harvick, Gordon, the other Gordon, Busch, etc there would be much less forgiveness of the incident. I love Bill to no end but he was a bit childish - understandably - but still it was a season high for the day and he should have been able to be thankful for it and showed his fans he was happy. Instead he acted like someone who thought they were owed that win.

Murffee