It's amazing..
Thu, Jul 22, 2010 - 11:50am
the level that people care about Jason Lawrence. I wrote and twittered a few times about how he's in NC working with the JGR guys and my inbox and Twitter feeds are filled up by people wanting to know whats up with him, what he's doing, where he's racing, etc etc.
He's like the Terrel Owens of motocross!
I understand the level of curiosity if he was truly a front runner (he once was) but we saw time and time again that he struggled to make the top ten this year. There's a bunch of reasons behind that but does anyone think he can make it back to where he was? And by where he was, he still didn't have that many great rides!
I have no beef with him (some peeps would call BS on that but whatever..) and it would be good to see him turn his life (nevermind his career) around with the help of Coy and everyone in NC but as far as him being what he once was, I think it's over.
Thoughts?
Thu, Jul 22, 2010 - 2:09pm
#2
I wonder how much crazy stuff Lechien Matasiavich Bradshaw and even guys like Hannah did back in the day! I love J-law! He's great for the sport, I just wish he could see him on the track.
Thu, Jul 22, 2010 - 4:41pm
#3
Matthes,
Everybody likes an underdog and frankly there are more f-ups in the world than there are golden children so a lot of people can relate to him.
What makes you such a fan of the Dogger? (as I know you are) I am sure back in the day a lot of the same comments we hear about Jason now would have been said about him and his antics.
BTW- I am a HUGE Dogger fan, for turning things around and being the man he is today.
Thu, Jul 22, 2010 - 6:50pm
#4
In talking about the difference between Dogger and Jason, I have heard from a few old-timers that the difference is Lechien was a nice guy that everyone liked. With Jason, there are more than a few stories about him being an ass. That's what the peeps I talked to tell me anyways.
I just don't think he's much of a story, his speed isn't there, he's got a ton of problems but if he comes back to his old level, it's a great story but he's so far from that it's not even funny.
I guess we'll see but I'm amazed at the people that care that much. That's all.
Thu, Jul 22, 2010 - 9:16pm
#5
Gotcha,
Lechein was cool back then an dobviously still is. I never got to tell you all my Dogger stories from being a kid in El Cajon but he was cool and we all thought so as well. I remember flip flops, mullets and was floored by the good times.
As kids we would peddle our buts off on bicycles to be anywhere he was and once we got there he made us feel like one of the guys! very cool.
I see your point.
Thu, Jul 22, 2010 - 4:51pm
#6
People just want to know "the story" that they have been following is all. And J-Law was prime time for a while there.
I over heard some peeps saying that J-Law's lightening fast speed is some what dependent on being high. I know this is crappy to say. And I don't test his urine or blood. So I don't have facts. But The info came from a mainstream guy in the industry. And that he has had to test since being out. Keeping him clean and slower.
I think he has the talent. Here's my formula for him to succeed (at some level) in the sport again.
1). Loose the tood.
2). Surround yourself with the right people.
3). Don't give up.
Thu, Jul 22, 2010 - 8:31pm
#7
I think thats the thing about Lawrence. He had so much potential and he screwed up. So that kind of keeps him in the underdog category.People love the underdog and always want to help.JL never had a chance to dominate. He was one of those guys that could kick everyones ass and then he would fall back.I think he could be what he once was if he stayed clean and could stay persistent for a couple years to show everyone he means business. But who is going to give him that chance. I'm sure he can't fund a team anymore.If he is working with Gibbs he is in the perfect place to prove himself. they are from the Nascar world and still have the old school values so he will have to earn thier respect. And I'm sure they will will give him what he earns but it will be a long process based on proving yourself.
Joe Gibbs is no dummy this guy is the coach of all coaches. He has an amazing record between Nascar and Football.If anyone could ever turn this kid around the Gibbs can.
This really is Jlaws chance if he can stick it out and show promise Gibbs will revive his career if he screws up it will be over.
It would be an amazing story if it happened and it sucks because it is possible. But you are right Steve it's over. He will never be what he once was.
But thats why we love him, there is always that HOPE!
Fri, Jul 23, 2010 - 12:00am
#8
I think that, along what JS7 said on the podcast, the crowd is always going to be divided between a Jimmie Johnson and a Tony Stewart. Jason Lawrence is just a modern, younger version (and actually took it too far; got out of control and lost sense of where the boundaries were). I think that his potential was obvious, his wild style a-la-Hannah and his "no rules" attitude appealed to many.
He is the kind of guy half say he needs to be buried and not return and half want to see him comeback; Americans love comeback stories and if there was a guy who would come back from drugs, alcohol and rock n' roll, via jail, and come back to be a Top 5 contender, he'd get a huge support.
The Dogger was way cool though, like you guys said, very nice dude not looking for trouble with any one. I'm a fan until today and only buy Maxima. 
Fri, Jul 23, 2010 - 7:57pm
#9
as long as people remember his speed for 15 laps at daytona, or the 2nd moto at washougal last year, there will be people willing to give him a shot...i try not to pull for the kid, but i gotta admit, i find myself pulling for him anytime he gets close to the front. i was so pumped during that daytona race, you woulda thought i was holding his pitboard in my living room....waving towels and yellin and shit....i think the comparison to hannah is more appropriate though (personality & riding style) everybody loved dogger...hannah was a prick. just ask him, he'll tell you so. bottom line....he makes things interesting, unlike ryan carmungey or is it ricky dungmichael?? thats classic
Fri, Jul 23, 2010 - 8:44pm
#10
We yanks do like the comeback story, in some ways I was hoping that J-Law would group his poop and get it together, but so far it ain't happening. We as a culture seems to forgive people quickly and their past transgressions especially if it is our favorite athlete (Vick, Owen, #8 Bryant, the list goes on) and if the perform to former glory. Currently our culture likes to see them fall as much as we like them to comeback, watching train wrecks seems to be a national pastime right now. (i.e. reality TV, who doen't like Celeb Rehab or OC, NY & NJ Housewives, the list goes on). I hope J-Law comes back to former glory for his candid interviews, unorthodox wild style, and his desire to not conform to the industry, but having said that if he is a malicious, ear biting bad seed, and a user.. adios amigo a trailer park in nowhere New Jersey is calling your name. Chose your own adventure J-Law, but chose wise second chances come with performance clauses.
Sat, Jul 24, 2010 - 8:41pm
#11
well, after todays Tweet about Jlaw and his not working with JGR anymore... I may have to change my tune on the dude. That sounded like the best thing that could have happened to him.
Sun, Jul 25, 2010 - 8:26pm
#12
It is NOT amazing. It is LCD. Any questions Matthes and/or the rest of you?
Mon, Jul 26, 2010 - 12:05am
#13
Matthes claiming he doesn't hate Jason Lawrence and still getting outraged at the number of people who care about what he is up to.
Mon, Jul 26, 2010 - 1:30pm
#14
I think outraged would be the wrong word. More like Amazed..hence the name of the thread.
Mon, Jul 26, 2010 - 3:37pm
#15
Here is "the answer" to your Jason Lawrence observation.
If you would like to do so, please review the following and let me know what you think.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/lowest+common+denominator
Definitions 2A and 2B
Mon, Jul 26, 2010 - 2:18pm
#16
I'll admit I tweeted back to Steve asking for details. Not because I like Lawrence or hope that he would return to racing. I wanted to hear what happened because the stupidity of that kid is what is amazing.
So many opportunities wasted.
All the talk the he is good for the sport is BS. He doesn't even race. He runs a heat then quits and leaves or cuts the track or try's to start something with what he considers his rival, Dungey. Note to Jason... your nemesis is on his way to a another title I'm sure he's not worried about Jason Lawrence.
I feel bad for Lawrence he's obviously got some serious issues. I'm no psyche but it seems like ..... nevermind I can go on all day
Mon, Jul 26, 2010 - 3:38pm
#17
What makes you think that Lawrence gives a shit about Dungey?
Mon, Jul 26, 2010 - 3:40pm
#18
And MR50 nothing is more comical than "Who cares about Jason Lawrence" guy. The guy who obviously is interested and yet doesn't care so much that he takes the time to post it.
Mon, Jul 26, 2010 - 3:51pm
#19
I said I don't care? really?
Tue, Jul 27, 2010 - 9:11am
#20
What's more amazing is that this topic has the most replies of any other on the front page of this forum!
For some reason this picture makes me think that Jlaw and Steve are soon to be good friends.
Tue, Jul 27, 2010 - 1:58pm
#21
Perhaps interest is evoked from most people wanting to see someone rise above everything and conquer all. Life is not a movie though.
To me its bizarre that people say the sport needs someone like him and think he adds "flavour". Would you let your kids act like that? Would you perhaps not be stoked on him if he rolled that car onto someone you cared about? What about if you were racing against him and he was impeding you in timed practice?
As for the riding when he is loaded, I can take a guess what he was on by some photos I saw of him a while back. But thats his business and not mine. If he was goofballs on the track though he can serve some good by the fact that Jason highlighted a hole in the AMA's net.
I think the media can help Lawrence a whole bunch by not covering him at all. A lot easier to move around and live life if you are not under the magnifying glass.
Wed, Jul 28, 2010 - 8:13am
#22
Jlaw's bike for X-games.
Sun, Aug 01, 2010 - 11:19pm
#23
Mon, Aug 02, 2010 - 5:59pm
#24
Well, in a lot of peoples eyes, Jason is a train wreck, and everyone loves a good train wreck. They always wanna know the latest scoop.
Tue, Aug 03, 2010 - 6:32pm
#25
Did he race the x games?
Tue, Aug 03, 2010 - 9:15pm
#26
He did race the X Games. He crashed under the big air ramp and bent up his bike pretty bad. He didn't want to jump any jumps so he got last.
Why don't you like Dungey? Lawrence is the exact opposite. He may not be a good role model or even a top five contender, but I think every sport needs an ear biting, rental car flipping, self-made goon to round out the cast of characters. I'm hoping he wins a moto, bangs Erin Bates on the podium during a Speed live broadcast then crashes his Yamaha Rhino into a prayer circle led by Andrew Short in the pits (obviously without anyone getting hurt). That way on Monday morning when I sit down in my boring cube to grind out the rent I will have tons of MX gossip to read about between Pulpmx podcasts.