Another year-ender: Best and worst from e-mailers

You will recall that I became so inundated with (mostly) interesting and sometimes abusive e-mail by July of 2009 that I decided to make my annual Best and Worst of E-mail column a bi-annual affair.

So without further ado, here are some of the best and worst e-mails I received from NASCAR fans throughout the second half of the year, along with the usual sarcastic retorts from yours truly. As usual, last names have been removed to protect the innocent and many sentences have been eliminated to limit the rambling. Just remember, don't take any of this too personally. I certainly attempt not to!

I always like to start this off with a positive e-mail, so why not go with one received from a Jimmie Johnson fan just before JJ wrapped up his unprecedented fourth consecutive championship? When this particular "fan" first started peppering me with e-mails, let's just say they weren't always of a positive nature. In fact, let's just say they never were of a positive nature. So I was pleased when he wrote the following:

Dear Joe,

When last we exchanged the written word, you encouraged me to read the stuff you guys write so this morning I read your ENTIRE column and it brought forth two results.

a) I enjoyed reading it
b) I agree with you

I am starting to prepare my Long Island Iced Tea for the (Johnson championship) celebration next Sunday. Regarding the manufacturers' trophy ... anything but a Toyoder!!

Jack
Derry, N.H.

See, I told you. And many others. All you've got to do is keep reading and eventually you will discover something I've written that isn't so bad in your discriminating eyes.

Another hot topic recently was the decision of JR Motorsports to sign Danica Patrick as a part-time Nationwide Series driver. I happened to mention in my initial column about the pending venture that perhaps Ms. Patrick might want to master the IndyCar Series a bit more before seriously taking on NASCAR (read more). That led to numerous responses, including this one:

Joe,

Why do you care if she's "wasting" NASCAR's time? Is it your time? Keep in mind that you are no more important than the guy sitting next to me, or me for that matter when it comes to professional athletes and the decisions they make. What you're doing is no different than what "Access Hollywood" is doing with Tiger Woods at this point.

O'Dell

There was a time when NASCAR was enjoyable to watch. A time when men got out of their cars and settled things like men when they had to. But, now with the advent of NASCAR's mainstream popularity and people like you, those same men are called barbarians. So cool your jets there, Nancy O'Dell.

Chuck
Chesapeake, Va.

Um, Chuck? Who is Nancy O'Dell? Is she coming to NASCAR, too?

(Editor's Note: Nancy O'Dell, a former Miss South Carolina, is an entertainment journalist who had a long run as co-host of "Access Hollywood" before leaving the show earlier this month.)

And by the way, some folks agreed with my position ... such as:

Menzer,

You're a man after my heart. Thank you for that Danica article ... geez, I was hoping she wouldn't come to NASCAR, we have enough Divas with the Busch brothers. Also, Junior doesn't need anymore distractions after last year.

Lisa
Whereabouts unknown

Alas, my heart is already taken by my lovely bride of 20-plus years -- so be careful with your words, Lisa. But you make some very good points otherwise! And finally, there was this on the Danica subject:

Joe,

Danica Patrick is the Dale Earnhardt Jr. of IndyCars. Jr. is simply famous because he happens to share the same name as one of the most legendary NASCAR drivers there will ever be. Danica is famous because she is a woman that happens to be smoking hot. ... Jr. is supposed to be dominating right now. Hendrick [Motorsports] was his golden ticket to the Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory, but [it] turns out Jr. screwed up along the way and ate the ticket along with his chocolate bar. Now I e-mailed you about Danica, but I'm talking about Jr. because he and Danica are one in the same. Jr. gets all of this attention for doing absolutely (sic) NOTHING. Just like Danica, except for her "Sports Illustrated" (sic) shoot, which is just awesome.

I personally say Danica should do a "Sports Illustrated" shoot at a dirt track, now that would be awesome. Jr. should quit now and focus on not blowing his retirement (sic) ...

Bo
City of residence unlisted

Bo, perhaps you could get in touch with the aforementioned Lisa -- if you can figure out where both of you are from and where to meet. But be careful. Sounds like he might get into a Little Bo Peep Show and that might not be your thing.

(Hint: If it is, though, wear something with the No. 3 prominently displayed, perhaps even in tattoo form). (Continued)