Comments on: Making An Unpopular Confession

By: Bent Wickerbill

Bent Wickerbill — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 09:37:09 +0000

My only issue with Sam, is exactly what the American Mutt mentioned. That while Sam was outstanding on ovals (as long as the team gave him a perfect car). He was merely a back marker on road and streets. Even with what seemed like countless hours of practice provided to him by the Captain, Sam never seemed to catch on to the right hand turn thing. Lets face it, from driver to driver there are always going to be those that are stronger on either one or the other, but to be a consumate champion, one must be able to do both well….

By: Mike R.

Mike R. — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 20:06:53 +0000

Seems like I remember reading a quote from Dario after Dario won Indy for the first time. He’d said something about having not really known Sam, and having formed an opinion of-sorts that he thought he was maybe a bit snobby or snotty or something. Then at a celebration for his win, Sam bought Dario a drink and they sat and talked, and Dario came away (forgive me if I mis-quote) with a new opinion…that Sam was “a good bloke – a really good bloke”.

It may rub people the wrong way when a guy feels so out-of-his-element with PR that he does come across as aloof or completely disinterested in the fans. I can’t imagine that a guy who recognized how fortunate he was to be in the profession he was could be completely disinterested, but can easily see (as I see in myself) how inept he might feel at being a “personality” with all its attedant requirements…and it may have just been far easier to hide from it than get out there and risk saying something that you’d end up regretting. Seems like I recall Sam saying something about finding it hard to believe that anyone would care what he was thinking about anything. That speaks volumes to me about him being a pretty humble man.

By: A.J.

A.J. — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 17:11:03 +0000

George, you’ve helped me come out of the closet. I’m not a Hornish fan either.

The weird thing is, I can’t really put my finger on why. I’ve never seen him come across as arrogant, and as far as appearances go, I’ve been numbed by not only other pro sports (Dennis Rodman, anybody?), but by the entertainment world in general; he’s positively white bread compared to all that. And yes, I fully acknowledge his open wheel driving skill; maybe I don’t know enough about fendered racing, but part of me wonders how he’d do in, say, Johnson’s car.

Regardless… I don’t know why I can’t warm to the guy, but I just can’t. Objectively, I admit that back in ’07, he had a legitimate gripe with Kanaan at Watkins Glen and should forgive his reaction, but I can’t help but think it exuded classlessness. I can’t reconcile my rational mind (which says he did no worse than any other driver with a gripe) with my emotional opinion (which says that I simply don’t like how he handled things), and the cognitive dissonance gives me a headache, but there it is: I have to admit to my opinion, irrational as it is, and say that I didn’t like how he handled that issue.

And above that, before this news about sponsorship, didn’t he say he never wanted to return to Indycar? And say so in a rather dismissive manner towards the series? Again, the rational part of my mind understand the frustration at a series that gave less popularity to a proven winner than NASCAR did to a backmarker, but at the same time, that just rankled me.

In the end, I do rationally understand that Hornish would only be a benefit to the series. I readily acknowledge his skill, and given his fanbase, can’t see anything but positives to the idea of his returning. But that said, I’m just a little cold to the idea inside. Dario returning made me genuinely happy. Sam returning? Well… I can’t help but feel that the smile on my face is just a little fake.

By: Panther2011

Panther2011 — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 14:21:46 +0000

I think your assessment of Sam has some definite holes in it. While he does appear to be arrogate or aloof sometimes, it is only because he is the type of person that carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. He is a very driven and competitive person who tends to be extremely hard on himself…this sport, no matter what series, has tremendous pressures. Add to that the fact that he is a very present husband and father and he’s just like anyone of us trying to balance it all. Sam doesn’t view himself as a celebrity, rather just a normal guy that happens to drive a racecar for a living. When he attracts attention and whatnot, even thought it’s been happening for years, he’s still surprised that people have so much interest in him.

Take a look at his charitiable donations since he started racing…how much he’s donated, the events he’s participated in, etc. He’s by no means an Helio Castroneves, but that’s because Sam is a very humble, small-town guy. He doesn’t get wrapped up in the limelight because that’s just not who he is.

Everyone has their opinion and I respect yours; however, I think you’re basing your assessment on one aspect of driving, which is the celebrity of it all. That isn’t something Sam places much weight on because he knows he’s not going to be a racecar driver forever. He wants to be remembered for what he’s accomplished on and off the track, not whether or not he won Dancing with the Stars.

By: JohnMc

JohnMc — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 13:58:32 +0000

If Sam does come back to the IndyCar Series I will gladly welcome him back.

By: The American Mutt

The American Mutt — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 13:42:47 +0000

BS talking point aside: Hornish did not improve on the road courses, and would be irrelevant in the series as it is now. The man simply can’t turn right for a whole race without spinning it once. Don’t throw that podium at Watkins Glen at me either, he got the position by a dirty pass, and had circumstances fall his way. I didn’t particularly care for Hornish, and by his last season I was ready for him to go to Nascar. You’re not alone George.

By: Judy in Texas

Judy in Texas — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 13:38:37 +0000

Well, I’m relieved — I thought you were about to announce some serious decision or fault.

For what it’s worth, I don’t like Sam either. However, you at least have reasons and I don’t! It’s just that I’m an Helio fan and Sam seems the total opposite of Helio — except that Sam could sure drive an Indy car!

What will Sam be driving next year? My allegiance to Team Penske will be torn apart if the Captain replaces Ryan for Sam. Surely not!

By: JoHoWo

JoHoWo — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 12:52:06 +0000

Bravo! I was never a Hornish fan either. His driving skills on an oval in an IZOD Indycar are undeniable. He always seemed to steal a win from the clutches of someone on the cusp of greatness, see: Marco Andretti, Vitor Meira. Take a look at the Top-Ten closest finishes, he is in half of them! Again, nothing more than a testimony to his ability, just really really annoying.
I remember being at the Kentucky race 05, I think. It was a battle between Hornish and Wheldon. Our entire grandstand was enthralled as were we with the action, however, EVERYONE was cheering for Hornish! My wife, friend, and I weren’t cheering so much for Wheldon but against Hornish. You would have thought we were cheering for some evil third world dictator by the looks we were getting! I still don’t get why fans found it so easy to cheer for Hornish, I certainly did not. In the end, he won the race, I was annoyed.
Dixon is pretty quiet off-track but yet he is engaging with fans and by all accounts a very nice guy. On top of that he is absolute dynamite on the track, yet Dixon is derided for his “lack of personality”. So what was it about Hornish that garnered him such a huge fan base?

By: Doug

Doug — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 12:35:24 +0000

George, I am a Sam fan, and here’s one of the reasons why.

I was lucky enough to attend a Peyton Manning charity bowling event that included many sports celebs, including Sam. I was introduced to him and he was not at all rude, arrogant, or abrupt. He was warm, engaging, and smiling. I imagine he was more relaxed, guard down, since he wasn’t “at the office”.

While he was chatting with me, I noticed he was actually in line. He was in line, behind a few “regular” people, to have his personal copy of Quiet Strength signed by the author, Tony Dungy, who was also a celebrity bowler.

Many other celebs walked right up to Tony to talk, or shake his hand, ignoring the not as celebrated guests. But Sam waited patiently, and with anything but arrogance.

I respect your opinion, though I heartily disagree.

Cheers,
Doug

By: Ron Ford

Ron Ford — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 12:30:35 +0000

With all due respect George, this seems like a lot of scriblin’ to get to your dislike of sideburns and surliness. A lot of drivers dash to their motorhomes to take care of a “going problem”. I think you need more than that to hang your hat on. Find out if he’s a Republican.