It is the ideal to which we strive. The standard by which we measure. Equality in schools, by gosh. Equality in the work force, heaven willing.
Equality on NASCAR tracks?
Ummm, perhaps we should talk about that one.
No, this isn't an issue of gender. Nor race, religion or accent. This is about a starting grid so evenly constructed, virtually any driver can win. This is about parity. This is about the greater good perhaps turning bad.
There have been 11 Winston Cup events this season and 10 winning drivers. Need a point of reference? That's the same number of winners during the entire 30-race schedule in 1993.
Yup, NASCAR officials mucked this one up.
They insisted on fair play.
Who among us could argue NASCAR leaders are wrong? That, by ensuring every car is created equal, they have done their sport a disservice?
It's just that, well, it lacks pizzazz.
Maybe not every week. Maybe not always from the grandstands. Some might argue, with great passion, of excitement in diversity.
But most of us like our moments to have magnitude. We love celebrities, we love personalities, we love to feel that we are seeing something grand. Carl Perkins wrote Blue Suede Shoes, but wouldn't you prefer Elvis?
This is what gets lost in a sport short of champions. Not just the numbers or the records, but the wonder. The awe. The sense of grandiose.
"There are a couple of things that are good for a sport," car owner Ray Evernham said. "Somebody who wins more than anybody else. And some fighting go on between competitors. A little controversy can be a good thing."
Evernham understands this perhaps better than most. He was the crew chief when Jeff Gordon was parking his car in Victory Lane most weekends. This, incidentally, was around the time NASCAR's popularity exploded.
Gordon attracted attention from nontraditional racing fans. Some of it had to do with his preppy style. Much of it was curiosity. There was such a fuss about his dominance, others tuned in to find out why.
It was no different than Mark McGwire giving baseball a jolt. Or Tiger Woods in golf. There must be a lightning rod. A factor to draw people in beyond the monotony of the daily results.
Why has men's tennis grown so staid? Because nobody knows who's playing. It's just a faceless group of nomads taking turns cashing the big paycheck.
To the diehard NASCAR fan, this is not a concern. They are as familiar with the driver finishing 28th as the one in second. They appreciate the strategy and details that are unique to every race and every track.
To the casual fan, it makes a difference. Without a storyline, without an obvious angle, it's just a bunch of guys named Ned driving in circles.
You know who is leading the Winston Cup standings? Matt Kenseth. He has been for two months. Has lots of top-10 finishes. Even has a victory. What he does not have is an image of any kind.
Dale Earnhardt was The Intimidator. Richard Petty was The King. So what do we call Kenseth? The Entirely Adequate?
Look, we are a spiteful bunch. As fans of sport, we know our favorites cannot win every time, so we look for pleasure in the failings of others.
That's why we need the Yankees. Or Notre Dame. Or whichever team you happen to hate. Petty once said NASCAR fans were equally divided. There were those who wanted him to win and those cheering for him to lose.
This is what NASCAR is missing today. The personality or two that can polarize an entire crowd. The winning streak that cannot be ignored. The driver you have to watch every week.
Gordon is still near the top of the Cup standings, but he's hard to adore or loathe when Ricky Craven has the same number of wins. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a possibility, but thus far has a better marketing machine than driving machine. Tony Stewart took a shot last year but is more cranky than controversial. Kenseth, Kurt Busch and Jimmie Johnson have yet to captivate.
Maybe you prefer it this way. Maybe you want to see Bobby Labonte's win followed by Ryan Newman's win followed by Joe Nemechek's win. Maybe you were bored when Gordon won 13 in '98, or Bill Elliott won 11 in '85 or Darrell Waltrip won 12 in '82.
If you were arguing, you could even point out that NASCAR's popularity remains strong. The sport continues to expand. And you could emphasize the justice of NASCAR ensuring car manufacturers deal from equal strengths.
Racing officials will say this is the best of both worlds. To have Gordon and Earnhardt Jr. near the top of the standings, but not dominating the checkered flags. Every fan, they say, has hope for their driver every week.
Cheering for your favorite is, after all, half the fun.
