Some respect?

So I'm the first person to admit I don't know all that much about auto racing. I'm learning but still, there's a lot I don't know. I will hold my chin up high and admit that. Because learning about something new, generally considered a good thing and I'm getting there. I am. I've only really been caring for the last 4 years or so, really got into last year, so this is all new and I'm well aware that I am that dreaded word...a newbie.

But I do know sports, I do know life, I do know that if you're not coming in dead last, you're clearly not the worst person out there. And I do know that even if you do come in last...you deserve some respect for trying.

Now more to the point, a certain person (and really not only that certain person, a few certain persons over the last few months) have attacked Patrick Dempsey as a race car driver.

And that leaves me with one question...what the fuck?

The person this weekend said that the reason Dempsey Racing qualified so high was because Patrick Dempsey wasn't there (he was off shooting Grey's...which makes me happy and sad all at once). Now, in fairness to said person, we don't actually know if he was saying what other people were saying or if this was his own personal opinion but either way...how does anyone know that? How can anyone actually just make that kind of statement when they clearly have nothing to back it up?

Has Paddy ever qualified second? Well no. Of course last season the team never even qualified in the top 10, and this season it was their first time on the track so we have no idea exactly how Patrick Dempsey would have performed on that track. He may have come in 2nd, he may have come in 10th, he may have come in dead last. No one has any way of knowing because every race and every track and every situation is different (which is one of the things I love most about racing actually). So to just make that blanket statement, that kind of attitude confuses me. It really does.

Because what we do know is Patrick Dempsey is a good driver, who keeps improving.

No, he has never qualified the car in 2nd place before but he has done well. He qualifies the car in a position that is ready for the team to slip into the top ten easily and early on, something he has usually accomplished by the time they do the driver change during the race. He gets the car where it needs to be so Joe can bring it home. He moves the car up in positions. This isn't a situation where he drives the first half hour and gets the car far behind to make Joe catch up, this isn't that at all. He drives laps at a competitive speed, he stays out of trouble, he races a good race. His best qualifying is 9th, which yes, it's not 2nd, but it's hardly something that deserves the insults and attacks I have seen on him as a driver. He has not done nothing so bad that it justifies saying the team only does well when he's not there...considering the fact their best finish with him there was 6th place, compared to 4th this past weekend. I'm just...insulted and flabbergasted that anyone could act like he's a dead weight that drags the team down.

Yeah, we qualified better because Joe is the stronger driver of the two, I don't think anyone would deny that. But Patrick Dempsey has been doing this for what? 6 years? Joe Foster has been doing it for 25. He should be the stronger driver of the two.

As far as I'm concerned, Patrick Dempsey should be being praised for what he's done in such a short time. He may not be the best driver out there but considering the fact he didn't grow up in a race car, that this is all pretty new to him, he's been doing pretty great. Especially since he doesn't have nearly as much time as most of the other racers to practice and train considering his insane schedule with the family, the show, the movies and the cancer center. And yet, he manages to find the time to train hard and work hard and become better. And most people, the actual experts, agree, he's getting better and better. That hard work, that dedication and the passion, that is what should be being talked about, not the fact he's not the best. He's getting there, he's working hard and he's getting there. I have nothing but respect for what he's done, and even if he was coming in dead last, I'd still respect that because at least he's trying, which is more than some people ever do.

No one would be saying this if he wasn't who he is...a movie star, television star and one of the sexiest men alive...if he was a nobody who just happened to love driving, no one would be saying this and that makes saying it...completely wrong.

Not to mention...I'm sure none of the people with their keyboard courage would even say any of this to his face. No. If they got to be anywhere near him...they'd kiss his ass and tell him everything that he wanted to hear. No they stick to the safety of the internet...blogs, boards, and it's just...it's wrong.

The man has worked his ass off. The man does a great job. The man deserves a little respect.

And on a side note...I have nothing but love for Joe Foster making it clear that the team would have done better across the board if Paddy had been there, if Paddy's energy had been there. Because Patrick Dempsey is a huge part of what makes Dempsey Racing what it is, his spirit and enthusiasm and passion and I'm sure all felt it missing this weekend so I'm happy Joe had the balls to stick up for his co-driver/friend and say it. *Sigh* I really do love Joe.