Why Jerry Nadeau Was Awesome (The Fury From Danbury)

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  • Опубліковано 9 лип 2024
  • A video by Fan Club Member #444.
    Thumbnail image by motorsports artist Thom Montanari
    **JERRY NADEAU'S WEBSITE
    www.jerrynadeau.com/
    **JERRY NADEAU'S FACEBOOK PAGE
    (Source for photos from his early career)
    / jerry.nadeau.374
    **CHAPTERS
    0:00 - Intro
    0:33 - Road race ace
    1:28 - Sears Point 1998
    3:53 - 1999 - Fan Club Letter
    5:21 - The crash magnet
    6:37 - 2000 - To Hendrick
    10:19 - Inching toward victory
    18:10 - Atlanta
    25:08 - 2001 - The black car
    27:21 - Several close calls
    29:04 - 2002 - The journeyman
    32:36 - Sears Point 2002
    35:58 - Closing out the season
    36:27 - 2003 - Back with MB2
    38:34 - The Army car
    39:46 - Richmond
    41:47 - 2004 - Get well soon, Jerry
    43:22 - Conclusion
    **MUSIC
    (From The UA-cam Library)
    Eyes of Glory - Aakash Gandhi
    St. Francis - Josh Lippi & The Overtimers
    Wicked Things - Quincas Moreira
    Wood - Dan Henig
    **ARTICLES
    “The Biggest Sonoma Upset: Jerry Nadeau’s Near Win” by nascarman
    www.racing-reference.info/sho...
    **PHOTOS
    CIA Stock Photo
    CRASH
    Google Images
    Motorsport.com
    Penske Racing South Park
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  • Спорт

КОМЕНТАРІ • 446

  • @Whitfieldmc7
    @Whitfieldmc7 4 роки тому +219

    Thanks so much for putting this together, Brock! I know it means a lot to Jerry and it means a lot to me, too! I felt like I was watching my own history as I watched your video - we basically grew up together as we started our careers in NASCAR together. Would you mind if I shared this on my social media channels?
    Thanks again! Melanie Whitfield
    P.S. You know who my favorite driver is! :-)

    • @LASTCARonBROCK
      @LASTCARonBROCK  4 роки тому +39

      Absolutely! Please do! And thank you again for all your hard work with the fan club. Those are cherished memories.

    • @Whitfieldmc7
      @Whitfieldmc7 4 роки тому +37

      @@LASTCARonBROCK Terrific! You are most welcome! I actually heard from Jerry this morning and he asked me to get your contact information so he could either email or call you. What's the best way for him to get in touch with you?

    • @LASTCARonBROCK
      @LASTCARonBROCK  4 роки тому +34

      @@Whitfieldmc7 Oh now that is too cool. Follow me back on Twitter and I'll message you my contact information. Would be happy to talk. Thanks again!

    • @Whitfieldmc7
      @Whitfieldmc7 4 роки тому +20

      @@LASTCARonBROCK You got it!

    • @davethevtwinaddict2151
      @davethevtwinaddict2151 4 роки тому +57

      now that's the coolest thing that I've ever seen in my life someone that was putting together your fan mail letters when you were a kid reaches out to you and Jerry saw the video and now wants to talk to you on the phone that's a special moment I remember I had the 01 US Army diecast car and it was my favorite one in my whole collection I come from the Army family I hope maybe one day I can meet Jerry Nadeau because he was to one of my favorite drivers

  • @mcj88
    @mcj88 4 роки тому +146

    ♪ Jerry was a race car driver
    ♪ He drove so goddamn fast
    ♪ Never did win no checkered flags,
    ♪ But he never did come in last!
    -Primus

    • @fatman1288
      @fatman1288 4 роки тому +2

      fuck yeah!

    • @TheSwedeJay
      @TheSwedeJay 4 роки тому +16

      This song always made me think of Nadeau even if the song is older than his cup career

    • @ecardona53
      @ecardona53 4 роки тому +5

      DOG WILL HUNT!

    • @chrisshockey3681
      @chrisshockey3681 4 роки тому +5

      Uh, yes he did. They tell you about 2 minutes into the video...

    • @gregfrith5058
      @gregfrith5058 2 роки тому +2

      @@chrisshockey3681 uh... you know they're quoting a song, right??... Its not a song about him, so the lyrics aren't spot on, but the sentiment still rings out.

  • @kevincorbat7084
    @kevincorbat7084 4 роки тому +149

    can i just say this: those 2003 Pontiacs were the sexiest race cars of the gen4 era, change my mind. that US Army scheme in particular looked amazing on that car

    • @RobertCT86
      @RobertCT86 4 роки тому +3

      easily the best looking stock cars running in NASCAR of the last 25 years, that is for sure

    • @aaronkristofer18
      @aaronkristofer18 4 роки тому +2

      Yes! Those back ends!!!

    • @mohdyaminmohdzainal352
      @mohdyaminmohdzainal352 4 роки тому +7

      Well for me I like the monte Carlo from the 90's and the 2000-2002 but the Pontiac is cool too
      I just like those rounded short front end they just look beautiful and clean

    • @MrAndy9572ac
      @MrAndy9572ac 3 роки тому +1

      I prefer the Cole Trickle era cars

    • @forrestrobbins8074
      @forrestrobbins8074 3 роки тому +2

      The 4 and 04 Kodak Pontiacs looked good that year. The Brewco Busch cars looked good too. That Timber Wolf livery on that Pontiac was killer

  • @mesousagaby740
    @mesousagaby740 4 роки тому +59

    The best thing about Nadeau for me? He drove a Powerpuff Girls paint scheme. That's just awesome.

  • @Smoothsailing93
    @Smoothsailing93 4 роки тому +37

    I cried that day in Richmond. My mom even picked me up from school early because of it She knew how bad it was and how much I loved that guy

  • @BlackFlagsMatter
    @BlackFlagsMatter 4 роки тому +148

    Jerry was the man! No way should he considered a bust! Amazing video Brock!

    • @ghostfarmer358
      @ghostfarmer358 3 роки тому +4

      I don't consider any driver that is injured a bust

    • @joeyoung4871
      @joeyoung4871 3 роки тому

      Racing is nothing like any other sport.... when your driver retires its over.... its so final other sports the team and spirit is there but in racing when its over it truly is over

    • @DavidJ867
      @DavidJ867 3 роки тому +1

      Jerry was the best performing driver the #25 had in years before he got there. Him and Joe Nemechek did better than Vickers (who was a lot younger than either of them) in that car.

  • @bcschneider53
    @bcschneider53 4 роки тому +113

    Mine was A. J. Allmendinger. As a fan of the underdogs, I was fascinated by this guy as he DNQ'd literally half the races his rookie season with Red Bull. But he kept going even through the trials, tribulations, and even a failed drug test to have a modestly successful career. Like Nadeau, Allmendinger only won one Cup Series race, but it's a moment I'll never forget as a fan. Also, I have to say, it sure was nice seeing him get the win in the Xfinity race at the Roval on Saturday.

    • @thethriftinglounge
      @thethriftinglounge 4 роки тому +2

      Loved racing those Vickers and dinger red bull cars in the NASCAR video games

    • @N4SCARfaN
      @N4SCARfaN 4 роки тому +3

      I became a Jimmie Johnson fan as I watched him win at Texas in the 2013 AAA Texas 500. My dad found a race near our house, so we went. It happened to be my first NASCAR race I watched.

    • @cobracmdr2529
      @cobracmdr2529 4 роки тому +2

      Always rooted for the dinger. Great road course racer. Loved those Red Bull Toyotas

    • @MirokuDelivers
      @MirokuDelivers 4 роки тому +2

      AJ was great at NHIS me and a few fans where standing in the rain outside the tunnel looking for drivers to get autographs from we saw AJ returning from dinner with friends he waved to us and said he be right back

    • @MirokuDelivers
      @MirokuDelivers 4 роки тому +2

      He returned and to our surprise no only signed autographs for us but gave us a full 24 pack of redbull

  • @scottking2451
    @scottking2451 4 роки тому +33

    Mine was Dale Earnhardt I was a kid and me and my dad was watching charlotte and the pass in the grass happens and me being a kid I thought that was amazing watching dale handle that car like that while bill Elliot tried his best to wreck or get by him and then the interview where he said I didn't take it talking about bill trying to turn him I was hooked now fast foward to 2001 he was my hero thru all 76 wins and 7 cup titles and I lost him that February still stings I still see pics of him brings a tear to my eye to me Dale Earnhardt was the greatest race car driver of all time but I know about meeting ur hero's to I met dale in 93 he was at my local track and I told him I was gonna be a racer too and he told me to stick with it thru the hard times and I would be fine my first win came in 95 and I dedicated it to my hero Dale Earnhardt you're video was great made the wheels start turning again thank you and have a blessed day

  • @Ratt2004
    @Ratt2004 3 роки тому +6

    One of my favorite things? Turning on NASCAR Thunder 2003 & hearing his intensity promoting the "It's in the game!" tagline...epic.

  • @Nfulks96
    @Nfulks96 4 роки тому +53

    Jerry Nadeau definitely reminds me of an early 2000’s Matt Dibenedetto

    • @henriquepaladino3779
      @henriquepaladino3779 4 роки тому

      Dibenedetto Will drive to wood brothers Racing in 2020

    • @BloodyBoyBlue
      @BloodyBoyBlue 4 роки тому

      Noah Fulks sadly he didn’t have the full support of the media like Matty D does.

    • @henriquepaladino3779
      @henriquepaladino3779 4 роки тому +4

      @@BloodyBoyBlue , Nadeau had a lot of talent.
      But, the 2003 crash at richmond ended his carrer too soon.

    • @benscovil
      @benscovil 2 місяці тому +1

      Except Jerry was a winner.

  • @evanwilliams6406
    @evanwilliams6406 4 роки тому +33

    The man could wheel a car with the best of them, but he always had something bad happen. Jerry always gave 100 percent every lap, and sometimes you wish that he could have throttled it back to 90. Jerry was an awesome driver and a great person as well as his fan club letters showed how much he valued being a Cup driver and how grateful he was for the fan support. Jerry had a lot of tough breaks and if they had just gone his way, we might be talking about a different driver.

  • @evannuh-koo-la4054
    @evannuh-koo-la4054 4 роки тому +23

    Jerry Nadeau may have been a one hit wonder, but he is an awesome and respectful man, and even if fans dont remember him that well, he will certainly be remembered for that Atlanta win

  • @kevincorbat7084
    @kevincorbat7084 4 роки тому +32

    My driver was Mark Martin, as a kid i loved watching him challenge Jeff Gordon in the late 90's in the flyin V's 6, and though it wa sawkward for a kid to wear driver apparel adorning the Viagara brand, i enjoyed the succeses of mid 200's. My heart broke in 2007 when Harvick nosed him at Daytona, and once again in 2009 when Jimmie began to eat away at what was arguably Mark's best chance at that eleusive championship run. I cried tears of joy when he was inducted rightfully into the hall of fame, it was bittersweet, as i knew that meant that his days of being where most of my attention was paid to on sundays was gone. Im lucky to say that i got to see one of the sport's greats be the best he could, and get the recognition he deserves.

    • @emilkataro799
      @emilkataro799 4 роки тому +1

      I can relate so much to this post. I remember ranting about the Eagle One paint schemes all the time. I have one on my shelf next to my blue and white Jerry Nadeau chevy.

  • @csmQueso
    @csmQueso 4 роки тому +26

    I feel like it's a shame, that I never got into the sport when I was younger, but now I have come to appreciate the sport through content creators like yourself.

    • @LASTCARonBROCK
      @LASTCARonBROCK  4 роки тому +8

      Thank you. That's extremely high praise. You would've loved it back then. I highly recommend watching any race from that time period and just imagining yourself there.

  • @Ultimate23Dragon
    @Ultimate23Dragon 4 роки тому +33

    Among my "Big 3," Bill Elliott was my first ever driver because he was the one sponsored by McDonald's when I first started watching NASCAR in the mid 1990's. Even after McDonald's transitioned to another driver, I stayed with Bill & he's still one of my "Big 3".
    The next driver I got interest in was Andy Houston in either 1999 or 2000. I saw him in the Truck Series with similar red & yellow colors though not sponsored by McDonald's (yet). When he started to race with Ronald McDonald House charities for a few races in 2000, that's where I got real intrigue. He had a quality to him that he still has today I felt good about. I guess that's why I stick with him while not really giving Anthony Lazarro a chance though he was in a McDonald's car before Andy. Even after Cal Wells guinea pigged him in 2001, Andy still continued with his championship dreams & did become a multi-series NASCAR Champion... Sure he did it as a spotter, but he's the one that showed me you can still accomplish your dreams, even if you have to modify them a little bit...
    Then there's the big dog of the "Big 3". The driver I'm most synonymous with... Johnny Benson... How Johnny became THE guy, is a strange tale. In the 2001 EA Sports 500, that race was going well, until the last lap. On the last lap, Bobby LaBonte made an ill-advised block on Bobby Hamilton Sr. while 4-wide. LaBonte wrecks himself collecting Ricky Craven, who then collected Johnny Benson, which thus triggered the last lap big one. LaBonte flipped, Craven slid into the wall, but Benson went head-on into the wall at full speed... Now just turning 11 years old & just coming off 5 drivers dying of head injuries in a year & a half, I honestly thought Johnny was killed instantly... The on-board replay with him seemingly not moving didn't help. He was interviewed last & I was just happy he was alive honestly, but he did look out of it... A few days later at Wal-Mart we were shopping & back when NASCAR items had a big sector in the toy aisle, I saw this Johnny Benson 1-64 diecast. It came with a card. I picked it up, stared right into his eyes, & felt... something... To this day, I _still_ don't know what it is, but that literally is how I became a Johnny Benson fan, & over time he became THE guy I rooted for, even more than Bill or Andy.
    There are other drivers that I do have interest in, but none of them will ever match my bond to those 3, & especially Johnny!

    • @henriquepaladino3779
      @henriquepaladino3779 4 роки тому +2

      Johnny won the 2008 truck Championship

    • @jmhproductions7335
      @jmhproductions7335 4 роки тому

      Like you, I went from Bill Elliott until his retirement. Then it was Johnny Benson!!
      After that is was Juan Pablo Montoya.
      2019 ( Suarez) but whoops he looks to be gone now...
      Ugh...
      So I guess I gotta decision to make.
      I love Ford and I have support for Penske m, and even Roush now that Stinkhouse is gone. But I kinda want to jump on the John Hunter Nemecheck wagon.

    • @polycube868
      @polycube868 3 роки тому +2

      I think Johnny Benson would have won races in the 10 car after Evernham bought out MB2, Scott Riggs ran decent in it.

  • @joerywalt5852
    @joerywalt5852 4 роки тому +16

    First I was a Jeff Gordon fan, then I transition to a Jerry Nadeau fan til he got hurt at Richmond and after that I became a Kurt Busch fan and now, I'm a huge Kyle Busch fan. I still remember that I talked Jerry Nadeau on the phone while my parents were at the Charlotte fall race with couple of family friends, and couple years later, I met Jerry at Talladega during an autograph session, and my Aunt took pictures of me and Jerry Nadeau.
    I'm still a huge fan of Jerry Nadeau and I still think about him til this day. Jerry Nadeau was a great driver and I hope to meet him again one of these days.

  • @larson5fan790
    @larson5fan790 3 роки тому +7

    Marty Snyder in the 90's that's awesome

    • @joeyoung4871
      @joeyoung4871 3 роки тому

      Geez him and mike joy been there forever

  • @bdavis24fan
    @bdavis24fan 4 роки тому +14

    I actually found Jerry's Michael Holigan diecast from 2000. Got it in a bundle with a bunch of other cars including Jimmie Johnson's rookie car.

  • @Ratt2004
    @Ratt2004 3 роки тому +1

    Truly as a longtime NASCAR fan, a good moment for all. One of the feelgood moments & most popular wins. That, & Johnny Benson's win in 2002. Drivers like those 2 are once in a lifetime talents. Always loved Jerry Nadeau, one of those drivers you could never NOT like.

  • @kalebbacchetti3109
    @kalebbacchetti3109 3 роки тому +1

    My favorite drivers from day one of watching Nascar were Jeff Gordan and Mike Bliss. My mom raced Quarter Midgets with both of them as kids in California, and she remembers fondly hanging out with them between races at the track. I was the 3rd generation in my family to get into the sport starting with my grandpa in the 50s and 60s, and being born in '95, Jeff and Mike were the coolest guys in the world to me. While Mike never had the success of Gordan, I was always so happy to he him get a top 5 or 10 finish. I've always wanted to meet Jeff and see if he remembers my grandpa and mom from his days growing up. Although my life went a different direction and i picked up music, I remember dreaming of winning the Daytona 500 like my hero Jeff Gordan did. I got to go to 1 cup race at Sears Point probably around 98 or 99 and even being that young, i can remember how exciting that day was. Saw Bush races and Indy races at Nashville in 2002 and 2003 and those were some of my favorite memories growing up.

  • @DonkeyKongJr10
    @DonkeyKongJr10 4 роки тому +11

    Mine was Mark Martin. One of the big things that first got me hooked was a bugels drum we got that talks about Mark's win at Charlotte in 1998. As a kid born in 1995, and not starting to watch all the time until 2001, it kinda sucked not being able to wear merch of my favorite driver. It also doesn't help that NASCAR isn't that big in the PNW (I'm from Washington state). I remember going to school in like 4th grade and being told I had to hide my shirt because of what was on it.
    That was also a pretty slow period for Mark wins. Almost watching my driver win the championship in my second full year of watching was amazing, and I thought winning would become normal.
    A year and a half later, I remember being so giddy telling my mom with 5 laps to go that Mark was leading at Dover. It felt like I was right along side of him. I was so happy.
    The wins may have been few and far between, but at least he was consistent. Then, in 2006, he announced his part-time schedule. It made me sad, but at least I was still able to see him. I still wish that Daytona 500 turned out differently, though.
    2009 was a breath of fresh air. After the slow start, it was so nice to see him winning again, and compete for that championship, even if he came up short.
    After that, it was just enjoying the last few years of his career. That one final win never came, even with incredibly fast cars.
    To this day, I will always say that Mark Martin is my favorite driver, and he always will be. It also helps he's an entertaining Twitter follow.

  • @DonderNashawk
    @DonderNashawk 4 роки тому +98

    November 20, 2000
    Good news: Jerry Nadeau wins his first race
    Bad News: I was born

    • @megabutters9144
      @megabutters9144 4 роки тому +12

      Oof

    • @CSDonohue11
      @CSDonohue11 4 роки тому +5

      Lol
      That’s awesome
      All Great news

    • @samharris3508
      @samharris3508 4 роки тому +1

      So sorry to hear that.

    • @N4SCARfaN
      @N4SCARfaN 4 роки тому

      I wish you a great 19th birthday! I know it’s a bit early, but it’s better than being too late, isn’t it?

    • @degabruh_
      @degabruh_ 4 роки тому +2

      *insert stop motion random cuts transition*

  • @BubbaBearGames
    @BubbaBearGames 3 роки тому +1

    The guy that got me into NASCAR was Ward Burton, when he drove that #22 Caterpillar Dodge in 2002, and when he won that season's Daytona 500, that's when he really cemented himself as one of my all-time favorites.

  • @SiVlog1989
    @SiVlog1989 Рік тому +1

    That's the thing about Motorsport that makes me smile, the stories behind why people support a specific person. I can completely understand the appeal of Jerry from a fan perspective. I have great respect for those who support an individual or team through good and bad, less so those who jump on the bandwagon in terms of who is the best of a particular year.
    Adding a personal touch, it's like how I decided to cheer for my favourite driver currently (circa 2022) on the F1 grid, Pierre Gasly. I was struck by how much of a good guy he showed himself to be, although in his climb up the ladder to reach F1 he was inconsistent, he nonetheless had all the credentials necessary to reach the top with titles in each of the junior categories before F1. Whenever he achieves a good result (where he is in the points), it's a day where you can smile, when he gets on the podium, it's a day to beam with excitement and on his day of days, Monza 2020,when he claimed his first win, it was a day to shed tears of joy for him.
    My support for him only strengthened after his tough 2019 season. He was comprehensively outperformed by Max Verstappen at Red Bull and was by mid season demoted to Toro Rosso, based on the junior career he had, I felt that his struggles at Red Bull made no sense, a good driver doesn't become bad overnight. If that demotion wasn't bad enough, he had a tremendous personal tragedy as well as in the first weekend back with Toro Rosso, he witnessed the appalling accident that claimed the life of his best friend, Anthoine Hubert. To witness a tragedy like that was bad enough, to be there in person was bad enough, but to have to race the following day with that grife still fresh in the mind, if it was possible, I gained yet more respect and admiration for him

  • @pauleilerman3
    @pauleilerman3 4 роки тому +1

    Liked Michael Waltrip in the Bahari Racing Pennzoil #10 but when Johnny Benson took over I was immediately a fan. He was a humble, soft spoken midwest guy who raced the right way. Got to see him win the O'Reilly 250 truck race, it was the most awesome night.

  • @andrewbarker3818
    @andrewbarker3818 4 роки тому +3

    I saw this in my recommended videos because I often listen to long NASCAR mini-docs while I'm at work. I thought to myself at first "Hmm, 48 minutes on Jerry Nadeau... interesting," but I must now take time out of my work to write about how beautiful this video is!
    I was never that much of a diehard fan of Jerry Nadeau, but I always supported him. I own the Coast Guard diecast. I was one of those people that groaned (albeit from Massachusetts) when the rear end failed at Sonoma. I love Bobby Labonte, but also cringed when Jerry ran out of gas at Atlanta. We all know life isn't fair, but some of this stuff that happened to Jerry is absolutely heartbreaking, especially the injury. You can tell what a good man he is in his interviews. Always seemed to be saying "Hi" to his parents too.
    I had appreciated for Jerry Nadeau before this video, but now that appreciation is heightened. We love you Jerry!
    Chad Little was my Jerry Nadeau. I got a John Deere diecast for Christmas one year, but that was before I liked NASCAR. When I finally gave NASCAR a shot at age 9 and saw a car I recognized on the track, I was hooked. I followed Chad through his BACE Motorsports years in 2001 and 2002 and now I follow Jesse Little! The Littles all seem like great, genuine people.
    Anyway, thanks again for this effort! More drivers deserve this much attention.

  • @CaptainTylor19
    @CaptainTylor19 4 роки тому +5

    My favorite driver was and still is Rusty Wallace. My parents bonded over racing when they were dating and went to several races before having me. One my earliest memory was when I was 3 years old living Oak Hill WV 1993. Rusty and his fan truck came to our local Pontiac dealership. I was lucky enough to get his autograph on a hat that I still have. After the autograph my parents asked me if I wanted anything from his fan truck. I told them I didn't want any beer. The first race I got to attend was the 1995 Bristol night race. I remember crying when Earnhardt spun Rusty early in that race. I saddly feel sleep before the end so I missed that iconic finish.

  • @BrandonChrasta
    @BrandonChrasta 4 роки тому +11

    Absolutely beautiful job on this, Brock. I'm so proud to have ever known you, and thank you for making this, I will forever know Jerry Nadeau differently, and it's for the better.

  • @kyleshiflet9952
    @kyleshiflet9952 4 роки тому +3

    God that ending hit me in the heart hard Jerry was an amazing driver my favorite drive of all time is Earnhardt he was my dad's and Grandpa's favorite driver I loved how he drove but I'm a huge fan of McDowell and I cried and yelled "THERE ARE STILL MIRACLES IN THIS WORLD" seeing win his first race at Daytona

  • @swirvinirvan3789
    @swirvinirvan3789 4 роки тому +10

    Nice video. This reminds me of getting my Sadler Fan Club packet every year. Miss those days. I remember laying out of school "sick" to watch that Atlanta race and seeing Jerry get that first W. I remember when my guy Elliott Sadler got that first win at Bristol the next year. It was an awesome feeling, I know what you mean by feeling a "part" of it.

  • @fubbaquestor
    @fubbaquestor 4 роки тому +3

    I was five, so I don't remember a true moment, but Terry Labonte driving the #5 Corn Flakes car hooked me. Seeing him succeed in the mid-90's was awesome, and even loved him in the twilight years after '00.

  • @TotoDG
    @TotoDG 4 роки тому +3

    Fun fact: Michael Holigan ran his own motorcycle team from 2004 to 2006. Alongside, he also ran a TV show called _The Reality of Speed._

  • @Southernswag8283
    @Southernswag8283 Рік тому

    Jerry is now a instructor at Polecat racing in Lynchburg Tennessee. I just learned who he was during our 2 day driving school. Me and my brother just got done with our 2 day weekend class in baby formula cars and he was SO PASSIONATE in giving us our feedback in our turns and drive lines. He is still just as passionate about racing as he once was, except now instead of racing, he loves teaching people. What a great guy. We love you and appreciate you jerry!

  • @jesseemullen
    @jesseemullen 4 роки тому +6

    I'll never forget him. And he's from my state :)

  • @CFreed11
    @CFreed11 4 роки тому +1

    My favorite was Bobby Labonte. Ironically, it was because of that 2000 November Atlanta race. That was the first Nascar race that I watched in its entirety and with Bobby winning the championship, I thought to myself "man, he must be one good driver" and followed him ever since. Bobby is also the last driver to ever win a Nascar Winston Cup race, which is a pretty darn cool title to have!

  • @j-mangaming2923
    @j-mangaming2923 4 роки тому +2

    Jeff Gordon has and always will be my favourite driver. When I played Gran Turismo 5 on the PS3 in 2010, it served as my introduction to NASCAR, and Gordon's flaming #24 car instantly endeared me. I spent hours driving that car, and eventually, I started to watch the races. Being from Australia, the races always began at inconvenient times, but I made sure to catch them when I could. The Martinsville Chase race in 2015 was the first time that I had ever cried out of joy following a sports event. Jeff's win, to me at least, was cathartic, and although he didn't win at Homestead, I was still incredibly proud of everything he had accomplished, particularly in the few years of his late career that I'd watched. It was bittersweet to see him take over for Jr. in 2016, but I was happy to see him on the track again. Nowadays I root for Blaney and Kurt Busch, but neither driver, or perhaps any other driver (maybe with the exception of Jeff's son Leo if he ever makes it to Cup in a few decades' time), will come close to receiving the admiration from me that Gordon received.
    I unfortunately wasn't around to see Nadeau in his prime, heck, I was born nearly 2 years after his only win, but from watching what he was able to do with a race car, I could tell that he was somebody who I would've supported if I'd been born a decade earlier. Brock, this video only emphasises this. I'm still glad that Jerry's with us, though it's heartbreaking to know that he will most likely never race competitively again. Even more so is his ESPN interview where he said that he sometimes wishes he was dead. But I must thank you for making this video, and I hope many more people can become aware of who he was. Because Jerry Nadeau was, and indeed still is, awesome.

  • @Turn0vers
    @Turn0vers 4 роки тому +1

    Tony Stewart was mine. I was about 4 or 5 we were going to a Target and at the Home Depot across the street where I was from they had a hauler and a car and memorabilia to buy. As I recall this was about early 2003 or very late 2002 celebrating the championship that was won under his belt. That's what made me love Nascar growing up.
    I don't recall the 2003 season of Tony's too well due to memory but the first race I watched after that was a Pocono race and Stewart had a pretty bad accident if I remember correctly. Luckily ok, but I was so disappointed when that happened. It kept me going and tuning in for each race it seemed like. The first win I remember seeing was a win at Atlanta of his. He was successful over the years and won plenty of championships.
    The thing that glared at me every damned year that kept breaking my heart is how close he could've won the Daytona 500 multiple times. I always wanted to see him win one of them. When I saw that 05 championship and 11 championship that really didn't matter to me as much. Even though they were great feelings. But the 500 is like the crown jewel for every career.
    People gave him crap for his personality. I loved it. I thought he was one of the funniest guys in the field. He eventually channeled his fiery personality to a good level. I always thought he was the most passionate one and he literally was a lifer to the art of racing.
    I just wish that I could've met him at a race and actually been able to see a cup race. I live in the NW. There's no sign that Nascar will bring cup to a track here. I wish I always had the chance to experience it. It's something that I wish I could've taken advantage of. I had an opportunity but I wasn't able to take that and run with it sadly. It was sad to see the injuries basically take his career away. Main regret of mine to not be able to see it. But it was damn fun growing up. My interest totally died off when he was off track and didn't race. I just can't attach to anyone else. Such an attachment like you said to the first one.

  • @mcj88
    @mcj88 4 роки тому +5

    Dale Jarrett was my first favourite. In the first season I watched, 2001, he won 3 of the first 8 races and had the points lead until mid-June. I'd basically come into the sport entirely fresh; aside from playing _NASCAR 99_ and _2000_ on the N64 a bit I basically knew _nothing_ about any of the tracks, cars, drivers, etc. so me being the autistic guy I am, I consumed as much of the sport's history as I could find at the time, and _that's_ when I learned he was the '99 Champion. He also had a nice brown & yellow paint scheme and used my favourite number at the time, #88, so that all helped as well. :P
    I remember hating Jeff Gordon when he passed Jarrett for the points lead, kept winning races and eventually took his 4th and final Championship, while Dale faded a bit and wound up 5th. Of course in hindsight I would've rather Gordon get 7 titles over Jimmie "Wonder Bread" Johnson, but that's neither here nor there. :P

  • @masonshell1024
    @masonshell1024 4 роки тому +3

    For years I've had a Jerry Nadeau 2000 Michael Holigan Coast Guard 1:24 diecast. I never knew much about the driver until this video. Awesome story!

  • @ClaptonFan91
    @ClaptonFan91 4 роки тому

    My first favorite driver has to be Dale jr. My dad was a Sr fan, and I remember how exciting it was to get to go to my first race as a kid at Richmond in 1998. I remember watching Dale Sr qualify. Sitting low in turn 1, I could see him wheeling that thing. I was a great race, I was 7 and remember it as well as I would today as an adult. Two cars wrecked in front of me and caught on fire andnit was so cool seeing those drivers climb out.. but what stood out was Dale Jr won the race... I mean how cool is it to have the guy you think you should pull for win at the very first race you ever went to... I saw him win his first ever race there, and saw him win his last cup race in '06 there.. and his last Xfinity win... How fitting to cycle all the way back to where it all started 20 years from the first to the last... Tears me up typing it

  • @JustinNorwood
    @JustinNorwood Рік тому

    The driver that I was drawn to was Carl Edwards. In 2003 I was 14 years old traveling with a Goodys DASH series team, the Hobgoods. My Grandpa built their engines as well as many others. We were at Kentucky along with the Trucks and All Pro cars. We qualified on the pole at a faster lap time for the dash race than Carl did for the pole of the truck race. Carl came to talk to Justin during our final practice so Justin was in the car making runs. He walked up to me and I recognized him by the braces he had at the time and asked if he was Carl Edwards. He talked to me like he’s known me for my whole life. Carl won his first truck race that night and he and the Hobgoods became friends. At every other shared event he would take my brother and I in his hauler and show us the trucks. He was the most down to earth dude and always stayed that way. Not to mention he was a badass behind the wheel. I became a lifelong fan that day, even now I respect him more than any driver to come through NASCAR. Great video man! Makes me think back to all the good times!

  • @edwardsa1000
    @edwardsa1000 4 роки тому +1

    OG truex jr fan here! but i love the rich history of the sport! great work! much appreciated!

  • @84Ralphyboy
    @84Ralphyboy 4 роки тому +2

    Favorite was Dale Jarrett to start in the Quality Care red white and blue. Cheered for him until the end at mwr. A little later on Sterling Marlin in the silver bullet and Stacy Compton in the melling cars were a favorite as well. Then I had a soft spot for Ken Schrader willing that poor equipment with Bam and Schwanns on the car to respectable finishes (Dave Blaney same feeling 93,77,07,22,36). Now I like Kyle Larson for his dirt background and ability to drive anything. Great video, Jerry was indeed Awesome!

  • @joshchilds9409
    @joshchilds9409 Рік тому +1

    I know this was years ago. But my first favorite driver was Chad Little because I was a John Deere fanatic as a kid and came across a diecast car when Chad raced the 97 car...
    I just learned recently he still works for Nascar today. But yeah, I can definitely relate to this video

  • @sportstrap4285
    @sportstrap4285 4 роки тому +1

    My favorite driver has always been Jeff Gordon and Chase Elliott when he took his seat. However the underdog I ended up falling in love with was David Ragan, my first year watching a full NASCAR season was 2013 and the first time I ever saw an upset live was his miracle at Talladega I’ll never forget cheering so hard for a driver who wasn’t Jeff Gordon as I’d always loved underdogs. Later that year I went to my then hometown track New Hampshire and met all my favorite underdogs, Joe Nemechek, JJ Yeley, and even Morgan Shepherd (I don’t believe he was racing that day tho) but I remember fondly meeting Ragan telling him how big a fan I was and him saying that his fans are what keep him going signing my program and then surprising me by giving me an authentic team hat. I still have that hat today

  • @sk8terboi10003
    @sk8terboi10003 4 роки тому +1

    When Regan Smith was doing well he became my favorite driver. I was so pumped when he finally won at Darlington about 10 years ago. Its so exciting when an underdog wins a race.

  • @lnascar7401
    @lnascar7401 3 роки тому +4

    13:40 Jerry nadeu Looking Shocked 🤔

  • @psychlops924
    @psychlops924 4 роки тому

    We were Jeff Gordon fans in our house. My dad started watching NASCAR in late 92, and picked Jeff because of some stellar performances for such a young driver in 93. I remember that when Jerry came to Hendrick we would cheer for him, and kept rooting for him when he went to the Army car. I still think that’s one of the best paint schemes of all time.
    I was only 10 in 2003, so I never fully understood what happened to Jerry, but my dad would bring him up from time to time, and always spoke with a bit of sadness in his voice when he did. I think my dad was a bigger fan of Jerry than I realized, but since he passed away a few years ago, I won’t be able to ask him til the hereafter.
    Anyway, thank you for making this. It brought back a lot of good memories.

  • @mattepple6759
    @mattepple6759 4 роки тому

    I had come back off of a hiatus away from nascar and went to the bristol race in 2016. There i saw a soft spoken, easy mannered driver driving the 83 bk racing machine crank outba top ten. And rather then complain about what went wrong he focused on what went well and appreciated everything he had accomplished up to that point. Ever since then i have been a die hard dibenedetto fan and will till the day i die. That kind of character is hard to find in anyone nowadays

  • @Ally_Rayne6
    @Ally_Rayne6 4 роки тому +1

    Current favorite driver. April 26th, 2009. Aaron’s 499. Brad Keselowski was running for Phoenix Racing and it was an amazing sight. I really didn’t know much about Keselowski even though he was driving for my mom’s favorite driver’s xfinity series team. His move on Carl in the tri-oval was a scary move but Brad held his line. When Brad was going to Penske in 2010 I was pleased with the move since I loved my mopar products. The next year he was driving the iconic blue #2 that I loved deep down! Christmas of 2011 was special! I got a tee-shirt dual signature from both Brad and Kurt! The next year, in 2012 following my last year as a freshman in high school I had the privilege to go to New Hampshire and I met Brad in person, that was phenomenal! I told him he was going to win the title he signed me a hat that day and that hat is still in my possession. When Homestead came around I was nervous as hell but I knew something special was going to happen. Brad delivered Roger Penske championship #2 in NASCAR. Brad has been my favorite now for 11 years since he started in Jr Motorsports it’s a day I’ll never forget

  • @rgii8060
    @rgii8060 4 роки тому +1

    Great video man! I live about 25 min from RIR and I was out in the parking lot tailgaiting for the Busch race that Friday. We heard them practicing then we heard the impact...about a minute later there was absolute silence. It wasn't until the next day we realized how serious it was. He always seemed like he was contender but never got any recognition because he wasn't a household name.

  • @charliedenny9603
    @charliedenny9603 4 роки тому

    When I was a kid and first started watching NASCAR, I started following Casey Mears simply because he had the same birthday as me (As a kid, I thought this was the coolest thing ever). I got to meet him in 2004 at my local track. He was very friendly and he autographed my shirt. From there I was a fan. I got to attend some NASCAR Cup races for the first time at Charlotte a few years later. The first being the 2006 Bank of America 500, where he qualified 3rd and finished 12th. In 2007, Casey moved to Hendrick Motorsports. He was having a rough start to the season though, and was only 35th in points heading into the Coca Cola 600 at Charlotte, potentially on the verge of not being locked in to the races. The 2007 Coca Cola 600 would be the second race I would attend with my father. I'll never forget watching the laps wind down as Casey stretched out the fuel mileage to the finish line. Wearing a Mears hat, everyone around us was high-fiving me. Much like Nadeau, there would never come a day as great as that again. I'm just glad I was there to witness his only win. He may not have been the best driver, but he''ll always be my favorite.

  • @mattbruner486
    @mattbruner486 3 роки тому

    Anyone who gave this INCREDIBLE video a thumbs down clearly has their head firmly planted directly up their own A#%! Such a great video that was filled with so much passion and heart. I became a NASCAR fan in 1999 at the age of eleven right as they were gearing up for that years Brickyard 400. I can still picture watching qualifying for the race and the Brickyard 400 itself so clearly even all these years later. The first race I ever attended was the 2000 Coca-Cola 600 that Jerry dominated. I was a Bobby Labonte fan back then but I was certainly well aware that anyone that drove for Rick Hendrick Motorsports was one hell of a race car driver.I can still remember thinking that Jerry was clearly the man to beat that night and definitely deserved to win. That was such a special and magical time to be a young NASCAR fan and I will always cherish those memories. I was at home watching the day Jerry pulled the 25 car into victory lane in Atlanta. I remember thinking how great it was to have a fresh face in victory lane and how Jerry and the entire 25 team certainly deserved that win. Your video helped me remember such a special time in my life that brought me so much pure joy and happiness. I want to seriously thank you for that and wish you continued success with your amazing channel. I'm from North Carolina and I just want you to know that I fell in love with Sears Point Raceway the first time I saw the track on television. I'm about to watch your video on the track as soon as I finish this. Thank you so much once again for this video and the great work that you do.

  • @edwardogle2458
    @edwardogle2458 3 роки тому

    The first race I remember watching was the 1993 Bud Shootout. I picked Rookie Jeff Gordon as my first driver, and followed him all the way to the announcers booth. I pull for Chase Elliott today on track, but will always be a Gordon fan for life.

  • @michel311970
    @michel311970 4 роки тому

    Mine was Mark Martin. I saw him winning his first race while still living in Europe. It was broadcasted through Eurosport. What struck me most about Mark was how modest he was after the race and what a nice guy he was. Once I moved to the US i kept following him until he retired. I met you once Brock in Sonoma during the practice for the K&N pro series on a Saturday. I knew your website and we struck up a conversation. You were awesome and gave me plenty of time. I still appreciate that.

  • @jasoncombs8385
    @jasoncombs8385 2 роки тому

    For me, I had been a fan of NASCAR racing for already 8 years, and I rooted for Davey Allison, Alan Kulwicki, and Mark Martin early on. After 1993, with Davey and Alan's passings, I found myself rooting for Ernie Irvan since he was stepping into that famous #28. Of course we all know what happened to Ernie at Michigan in 1994, and as a 13 year old at that time, I was struggling because I didn't want to root for any drivers anymore because they seemed to be getting injured or killed. I also never felt like I had my driver; a driver that I could point to and say that I was a fan of them from the beginning.
    That changed for me in January of 1998 when I was participating in a fantasy racing league amongst my family. The rules were everyone drafted 4 Cup, 2 Busch, 2 Truck, and 2 IRL drivers, and there was a simplified scoring system that awarded points for wins, top 5s, top 10s, and pole positions. I was fortunate in that draft to get Jeff Gordon, Jeff Burton, and Jeremy Mayfield on the Cup side, and I had already added Jack Sprague and Randy Lajoie (defending Truck and Busch Series champions respectively). Anyways, we were late in the going and I needed to add a second Busch driver. Looking over the list, the options were slim, but then I noticed something. I remembered the Kraft #17 car from some races I had watched in 1997, and that they seemed to run pretty well. So, with really nothing to lose, I took a shot and drafted a driver named Matt Kenseth. I distinctly remember my uncle at that time saying "yeah, like that will get you any points". Long story short, Matt won the second Busch race of that season, and by May, I had such a huge lead in the fantasy points that my uncle was scrambling to change rules and point formats because he wasn't happy that a 17 year old kid was kicking everyone's, well you know.
    From that point on, Matt Kenseth was my driver, and I was fortunate to see him race in person at the 2007 Sharp AQUOIS 500 at Auto Club Speedway.

  • @bobwalsh3751
    @bobwalsh3751 2 роки тому +1

    He's drivin hard, he's runnin near the front aaaaaaand...GODDAMMIT Jerry!

  • @patboger1339
    @patboger1339 3 роки тому

    I grew up as a Gordon fan since around 1996, when I really got into racing as a kid. My grandpa always rooted for Earnhardt and I had to have my driver to rival his on Sunday afternoons when we watched races together. But as I grew older and got even deeper into it, while still rooting for Jeff up until he retired, I learned about some of the older drivers that paved the way... Earnhardt of course, but also Awesome Bill, Rusty, Mark, the Labonte brothers (Terry especially, since he was Jeff's teammate!), Schrader... there was so much good racing back in the '90s. Going back further... DW, Cale, the Alabama Gang, Pearson, and the King... I could go on and on through the history of the sport. But when I watch the races today, it disappoints me that there isn't much of a chance anymore for underdogs like Nadeau, Benson, and Park to pull off these upsets. It doesn't seem like that long ago when Nadeau won that Atlanta race (I remember it very well), or when I was rooting for Benson to win both those 2000 Daytona races he was leading late. That's what I want to see again. Matty D and the Wood Brothers may be the last hope of that. Oh, how I wish he could have held off Hamlin at Bristol last year. But, alas.
    There's my rambling story. Go Chase!

  • @joshdickens3974
    @joshdickens3974 3 роки тому +1

    My first favorite NASCAR driver I still like him he don't leave anymore he has retired was marked the kid Martin because he was the big underdog that's my favorite driver then followed him all through most of his career and tell he retired and now I am a Kyle Busch fan

  • @FastEvan47
    @FastEvan47 4 роки тому

    My favorite driver was Tony Stewart. I loved that orange and white paint scheme he ran in 1999-2001. That’s what really set the hook for me. I loved the desire and the drive he had to win. I loved how he hated to lose. I loved his passion. I loved how he could literally strap into anything and be a threat to win. I remember him blowing up on lap 2 of the 2002 Daytona 500 and coming back to win the championship in my ALL-TIME FAVORITE paint scheme (2002-2004) over another one of my other favorite drivers, Mark Martin, by 38 points. That was my favorite championship of his; his Nascar WINSTON Cup. His 2nd place finish in the 2004 Daytona 500 let me think the 500 was for sure within reach. His dominant season of 2005 was AWESOME! Climbing the fence after the Pepsi 400 at 1 or 2 o’clock in the morning, and then his first Brickyard 400 win! I was so ecstatic! I remember the disappointments of 2 missing the chase in 2006 (even though he still won the last IROC championship) and multiple Daytona 500’s slipping away; most notably in 2007 and 2008. I stuck with him when he left Gibbs after 2008, even though I wasn’t super thrilled about it. I thought it was him putting his plans together to ride off into the sunset. But, his 2011 championship changed my mind about that. He did what he wanted to do, and did something (similar) to what had not been done since 1992, and owner-driver winning a championship. It was cool to cheer for a driver who won a championship under all three series titles he competed under: Nascar Winston Cup, Nextel Cup, and Sprint Cup.
    Then, through the rough, later years and his eventual NASCAR retirement, he always had that fire and that...what some would call “attitude”, he just loved winning and hated losing. I love his dirt racing endeavors and if I ever get to meet him, I will probably be at a loss for words because he is truly my childhood hero!
    I loved this story you did on Jerry! He was definitely a driver who’s career was cut way too short! He had a lot of potential and my heart just BROKE when the rear end went out at Sonoma in 2002. I loved Kyle Petty and Petty Enterprises, and that was awesome to see Petty leading again! I really wish he could’ve sealed the deal on that one.. Great video!

  • @SigmaNuHE481
    @SigmaNuHE481 2 роки тому +1

    Here after the Dale Jr podcast he's on. RIP Bob Jenkins

  • @MrMatthias
    @MrMatthias 4 роки тому +2

    That was a great, emotional video. It choked me up a little bit. I always wondered what happened to Jerry Nadeau, and I did quite liked him. I didn't realize he was that great!
    As a kid, I was a fan of Ricky Craven in 1997 and 98. I remember my dad printing out a page commemorating is first pole! Even as I moved on to become a fan of Dale Earnhardt and then, subsequently Kevin Harvick, when Ricky Craven got that win at Darlington, I felt that very pride you spoke of in the video.

  • @AlanNadeauIII
    @AlanNadeauIII 4 роки тому +3

    I picked up a #25 Jerry Nadeau Coast Guard 1:24 scale diecast/bank at the 2019 NSRA Northeast Street Rod Nationals in Burlington, Vermont a couple weeks ago.

  • @andrewbriggs9796
    @andrewbriggs9796 3 роки тому

    Mine was Geoff Bodine. Started watching at age 4 with my dad and I stuck with Bodine the rest of his career. The good ol days

  • @stewpuddy4161
    @stewpuddy4161 4 роки тому +4

    It is a sad story, glad you made this.

  • @benscovil
    @benscovil 3 роки тому

    Absolutely wonderful piece. At age 8 I started following NASCAR in 1998. My first favorite driver too, was Jerry Nadeau. My first favorite team was Junie Donlavey's #90. I relate so much with this video. Brought a lot of emotion out in me watching it. Fortunately I was able to become friends with Junie before his passing, and I met Jerry once in 2000. Thanks for this video.

  • @Josxyz74vvTV
    @Josxyz74vvTV 4 роки тому +1

    So cool to see such passionate fans of drivers who aren´t top tier dominating drivers {earnhardts, gordons, buschs, etc.}. As a child I was more a bandwagon fan unfortunatly I liked Gordon and Dale Jr. Now looking back I like to see all these other drivers who were interesting.

  • @brunz24xxx
    @brunz24xxx 4 роки тому +2

    You're 100% right about the first you pull for. Jeff Gordon was my first and possibly my only favorite driver. I was born in 1994 and I don't have a memory where my world didn't revolve around that 24 car with the rainbow/flames. In fact I don't even remember picking him as my favorite, that's just the way it always was. Since the day he retired it hasn't been the same. I pull for the 18 and 20 now, but when they win it just isn't as exciting.

  • @ThomasFMPayne
    @ThomasFMPayne 4 роки тому +1

    I wrote a song about Jerry:
    "Well he's from up north, Connecticut,
    At the game of racing he can kick some butt.
    He's a good-looking kid, you wouldn't say he's tall,
    But you can tell the way he drives he's got real big nerves.
    Say who?
    Jerry Nadeau!
    I worked at the 13 team in Dawsonville. We (my wife and I) love Jerry.

  • @emilkataro799
    @emilkataro799 4 роки тому

    I don't remember where I was or why my 8 year old self attached to Mark Martin but I don't enjoy it like I used to without him. Thank you for sharing your story and thank you for being an excellent fan.

  • @GGRTL1
    @GGRTL1 4 роки тому

    I love this video very touching. Jerry was one hell of a driver. He had a lot of heart. I have his 2001 1:64 diecast. My driver was Jeff Gordon, it was when I sat down and watched the 2001 brickyard 400 from start to finish. I never got a chance to go to the races and watch him. I finally met him at Sonoma in 2017 just in front of the Hollywood Hotel when he was about to do rehearsals and every year I go to that spot or the near the commentator booth and see him and DW.

  • @gamrguy101
    @gamrguy101 Рік тому

    My first driver that I really supported and felt a connection with was Ryan Briscoe. My first IndyCar race was Kentucky 2009 where he beat Ed Carpenter for the win by about 3 feet. I'll never forget shaking with adrenaline after the checkered flag flew. I always followed F1 with my dad before that and we had even gone to the USGP at Indy for 5 years, but that race is what made me fall in love with racing and he is quite responsible for giving me that bug.

  • @Hansel2448
    @Hansel2448 3 роки тому

    Im just seeing this video, but holy cow. Realizing Jerry was the last one to hold off Dale.....chills

  • @KLarsonFan5
    @KLarsonFan5 4 роки тому +2

    Bruh I want drivers to do a fan club still!!

  • @joncorra7811
    @joncorra7811 4 роки тому

    Very well done. Thanks for creating this.

  • @bradwilliams5006
    @bradwilliams5006 Рік тому

    Thank You!!! This was GREAT

  • @thewaytoneverify
    @thewaytoneverify 3 роки тому

    My first favorite driver was Jerry Nadeu, it was in that Cartoon Network car, I just remember seeing him being tenacious, made everyone earn the pass on him something that lasted his entire career he never accepted having a bad or mediocre ride he always got 110% out of his equipment

  • @godawgs1344
    @godawgs1344 3 роки тому +1

    Maybe I should add Jerry to my list of favorites 😉...

  • @natalie7ds
    @natalie7ds 4 роки тому +2

    Great video, very well put together and a perfect tribute to a highly underrated driver. Seeing those fan club letters reminds me of all my John Andretti fan club letters and packages and gave me so much nostalgia that now I need to dig all mine out of the closet. Thanks for sharing!

  • @auburnltl7452
    @auburnltl7452 3 роки тому

    I remember I went to my first Nascar race in 2015 for the spring Martinsville race. I was there just for the thrill of it and didn't really care back then. When I eventually became a Nascar fan a couple of years later, my decided my favorite driver would be Chase. I didn't realize it up until I looked at Chase's career before I got into Nascar and saw his first career start was my first Nascar race. Quite the coincidence.

  • @chrismitchell4632
    @chrismitchell4632 4 роки тому

    This was great! Thanks!

  • @vincentpellegrino789
    @vincentpellegrino789 4 роки тому +1

    Really enjoyed this. I could tell your heart was in the making of this video.

  • @tannerensign5055
    @tannerensign5055 4 роки тому +1

    When I was 5 years old my dad was a die-hard Earnhardt fan, I remember when Dale died me Kevin harvick took over, my dad just embraced him as the next but the 01 Atlanta race edging gordan to the line made him my hero and I've stuck with him through think and thin ever sence

  • @Nickearl1
    @Nickearl1 11 місяців тому

    That was so cool Brock! Thanks fort sharing all that with us!!

  • @thekingmansplainer6813
    @thekingmansplainer6813 4 роки тому +11

    Mine is Tony Stewart,I know not the most squeaky-clean guy to like so let me explain. I was very young when I was watching the 2007 Daytona 500 and at the time my favorite driver was Jeff Gordon because he had all the best schemes but then I heard one of the legendary FOX commentators say something about how Tony Stewart had never won the Daytona 500 and had dominated the race up to that point I felt happy for him because I thought he was going to win but of course that infamous crash happened with Kurt Busch and he was eliminated yet again from winning the Daytona 500 the race that always seem to elude him,after that point I began to root for him because I felt so sorry for him. I still remember the 2008 Daytona 500 and how much I cried when Ryan Newman passed Stewart with 2 to go that will always be a heart-breaking memory. Now Im not sure this is because of Stewart or something else but I began to like drivers with personality guys who will tell what they think on the mic and do it without remorse or regret and if theres anything Tony Stewart had in spades that wasn't driving talent spades was personality.
    We could sit here and talk all do about his endless quotes to the media his rants about Goodyear,his figure 8 idea for Dega or that time a reporter asked how he made that pass on Brian Vickers when Vickers had actually ran out of fuel and Stewarts hilariously sarcastic reply or the time he said hed wreck your mom or even his own mom to win the title as it is my favorite part of the Tony Stewart persona you already know all that stuff lets talk about the side people dont talk about enough,the caring guy underneath it all. That right I called Tony Stewart caring,whats my proof well the fact that in 2008 he had his back waxed for the Victory Junction charity even though it is a form of torture outlawed by the Geneva Convention and speaking of Victory Junction shortly after Adam Pettys tragic death when Kyle Petty took over the charity Stewart was actually one of its first donors and after Kenny Irwin tragic death he flew over to Kennys parents house and gave the trophy to them and one last one after that infamous crash in which Kyle Larson went into the catchfence at the finish,in which Stewart won instead of celebrating the victory he instead decided to visit each and everyone of the fans that had been injured in that crash and then theres 2011.
    I remember been riddled with anxiety as there was a good chance Stewart wasn't going to make the chase and I didnt have a TV at the time and we only had one computer I had to share with my dad and sister so I waited for the final standings and I was relived when I say Stewart barely in the standings and I remember I turned to dad and said these words exactly ¨Well I should be happy because its not like hes going to win the championship¨ but if theres one thing Stewart loves doing its proving people wrong. That Chase would go down in history as the one of the greatest comebacks in NASCAR history as Stewart swept the opening two races and at Martinsville he nearly was a lap car as he had to fend off Denny Hamlin the leader only for well-timed caution to come out just in time which lead to his comeback and eventually win and then his dominate performance at Texas which put him in position to duel with the consistent Cousin Carl in Miami. Then it all seemed to go south when a piece of debris got stuck in his grill and he went 2 laps for any normal driver it would've been over but not for Tony Stewart for him it was only the beginning. He charged for the field driving from the back of the field twice to get back on the lead lap,then going 4-wide not once but twice during the race and with the race winding down he manged to hold off Rowdy,Bad Brad and Cousin Carl to keep the lead and with Carl Edwards in second Tony lead his way to the title as he won the race and the title in a tiebreaker giving us one of the greatest performances in Motorsport history passing 118 cars in all. At the time I was in a deep depression and this performance showed my what I would eventually learn that with enough knowledge, hard work and determination you can do about anything and Im sure Stewart was big part in me learning that. Im sorry this was so long Tony was such a huge part of my life that I could go on about his forever but Ill stop here for now if you read all this and actually get here thank you so very much.

    • @FastEvan47
      @FastEvan47 4 роки тому +1

      The King Mansplainer there are multiple Daytona 500’s that stand out in my mind that eluded Tony Stewart.. 2004, 2007, 2008... He had always run great there, just could never put it all together in the 500. I wonder how the 2002 500 would’ve been if he didn’t blow up on lap 2. He was DOMINANT that entire Speedweeks.

    • @thekingmansplainer6813
      @thekingmansplainer6813 4 роки тому

      @@FastEvan47 Oh god yeah those hurt,he could've had 2011 too but he and Mark Martin choked on that final restart.

  • @badbooking3221
    @badbooking3221 4 роки тому +4

    26:50 or so, if Nadeau had foresight, there would have been EASY sponsorship money from Cartoon Network for that team.
    In regards to my favorite driver, Dale Jarrett in 1997 was the freaking man. That brilliant mullet/mustache combo along with Robert Yates horsepower in a red white and blue Ford Thunderbird is a major piece of what made that era epic in NASCAR. However, if you were a fan around Speedweeks 1990 and were told Jarrett would be a Cup champion by the end of the millennium, you'd get smacked.

  • @dadman9799
    @dadman9799 Рік тому

    Your use of music in the clips from some of Jerry’s impressive runs during races is perfect. Awesome job

  • @kenzschueler
    @kenzschueler 4 роки тому

    What a throwback....this was fantastic Brock. After watching two videos of yours, I am a proud subscriber of yours. Thanks for all your efforts in helping me and countless others go back and relive these special moments in our lives. I associate my young life with NASCAR, I could tell you what I did throughout the week after a certain race. It was my calendar so to speak. It was my life. Again, thank you !

  • @StevenCityChevy-Fusion
    @StevenCityChevy-Fusion 4 роки тому

    Great job, as usual, Brock. Very nice to hear someone's heartfelt feelings about their idol and how it's simply in their soul...
    I first became a DW fan around 1989-1990 when I was about nine as I asked my dad "who drove the orange car". It was the immediate kind of kid connection as the orange Tide car was a fairly close orange to the school color of my dad's Alma Mater the Tennessee Volunteers. I didn't become "obsessed" with his career though until I was slightly older in 1991 around the time I truly fell in love with the sport. It also didn't hurt that in 1991 he unveiled that all time favorite Western Auto paint scheme with those incredible chrome numbers. I'll never forget listening to the MRN radio call of "my" first win being a true fan in April of 1991 at North Wilkesboro. It was one of five that I got to enjoy from 1991-92, but uniquely different circumstances (traveling, family get togethers at houses without cable, etc.) in all five prevented me, as a kid, from seeing the victory live on t.v. I had to catch highlights later in the night and then finally years later UA-cam allowed me to see the recordings of the final stages of those victories.
    I got to be a loyal fan of his full time career for nine years from 1991-2000 and for most of those years(especially 1994-2000) the successful races were FEW and far between.
    I cried as a kid at 10 years old when I thought I'd watched his death in that barrell role down the backstretch in the Pepsi 400 at Daytona. Cried many happy tears seven years later in 1998 after that incredible run at the June Pocono race as he gave his most emotional, powerful interview of his career. He left it all on the track for that sixth place run while leading 10 laps in the final stages. I hoped a win was around the corner, but it wasn't to be.
    I was asked many times in middle and high school why I cared about a driver that never won any more. Honestly, I didn't have a good answer other than I am just a loyal type person. Sometimes to a fault.
    Thanks again for this video. As silly as it can sound to some it spells out well how a person will only have one true "first" when it comes to their hero/idol. Simple as that.

  • @jonr.4395
    @jonr.4395 4 роки тому

    Great video! Loved Jerry always felt bad for the way his career ended but at least we got those memories he left for us on the race track.

  • @jrand2148
    @jrand2148 4 роки тому +1

    Loved this video, lifelong Jeff Gordon fan here, but Jerry was my 2nd favorite from his days in the 13. My first ever die cast car happened to be that number 13. Thank you for keeping the memories alive!

  • @christopherpettit2304
    @christopherpettit2304 Рік тому

    When Jerry won that race in Atlanta, the Danbury based Newstimes newspaper had him on the front page as the headline. My grandma has a copy in her racing memorabilia case. There were only 2 times I saw them put NASCAR as the front page headline, Nadeau's win then the very next race with Earnhardt's death.

  • @MNSonYT
    @MNSonYT 4 роки тому

    I was a Tony Stewart fan growing up but since his retirement I’ve struggled to find a new favorite. I was won over during the 2019 Bristol night race when I found myself pulling for Matt Dibenedetto and subsequently feeling so deflated after the finish. As another comment expressed, his story so far doesn’t seem so far of from Jerry’s. I was born in 03 so I had no idea who Jerry was until way later on down the road. I can’t help but imagine that a 17 year old me in 1998 probably would’ve been a fan of the guy too.

  • @mikepriceup
    @mikepriceup 3 роки тому +1

    Thankyou so much for sharing your story. Like you jerry was my favorite driver as well. This video put a smile on my face as 2020 as a whole have left us smiling very little! 12/18/2020 mike price from lincoln ca.

  • @bryanadair6130
    @bryanadair6130 4 роки тому

    Great video I was a fan to he was awesome.thank you for your time and passion. I miss the good days of our sport and I hope we can get it back.

  • @jdhaase1417
    @jdhaase1417 4 роки тому +1

    Awesome job on this vid! The moment in NASCAR that hooked me was when Dale SR hooked DW at the old Richmond Fairgrounds around 84 or 85. Been a DW fan ever since.

  • @matthewnieman2668
    @matthewnieman2668 4 роки тому

    This is one of the coolest videos I’ve ever seen! Great job man!

  • @rcschmidt6
    @rcschmidt6 2 роки тому

    I've had the opportunity to compete against Jerry Nadeau in the simracing world and he is a class act and a great competitor.

  • @imjaz411
    @imjaz411 4 роки тому

    Mine was AJ Allmendinger. Compared to a lot of comments I've read, I'm a fairly newer NASCAR fan (started in 2010) and I caught the Daytona 500 from that year. I only recognized the 43 car and knew who Richard Petty was, so I naturally pulled for that car and it just happened to have AJ in the car. He led early in the race and was doing well up until a spin later in the race. I just saw something in AJ that I really liked. Fast forward a couple years, he had done pretty well, and then signed with Penske. At this point, I knew the teams and the rest of the drivers and knew how big of a deal it was, but then we all know what happened later on in the season with the drug test. It was pretty demotivating as a fan, but I loved how he never gave up, and coming back strong by winning with Penske in the Nationwide Series a couple times, and at Watkins Glen in Cup for JTG. I don't think I could ever be as big of a fan of anyone than AJ. His win at the Roval recently was such a crazy feeling for me. Great video yet again!

  • @TheIceman13
    @TheIceman13 4 роки тому +2

    This video was amazing, I wish someone would do something equally as deserving for a driver like Brian Vickers who in my eyes was a modern Nadeau if there ever was one.