NASCAR’s rule book called into question (Yahoo! Sports)
March 16, 2010
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My favorite moment of the off weekend was ESPN’s Steve Lavin congratulating Illinois guard Demetri McCamey for making the NCAA tournament after the Illini beat Wisconsin. My least favorite moment of the off weekend was when Illinois didn’t make the NCAA tournament.
I’d say expand the field, except for the tourney needs more teams about as badly as Jimmie Johnson needs more wins.
More From Jay Hart Secrets to Gustafsons success Mar 12, 2010 Brad vs. Carl: Where do you stand? Mar 9, 2010
Join Happy Hour Got a question or comment for Yahoo! Sports NASCAR editor Jay Hart? Want to be a part of Happy Hour? Email Jay
But enough about that, let’s get to the mailbag:
Carl vs. Brad: Vol. 2
“You nailed it, Josh. NASCAR likes to leave its rules open to their own interpretation, which normally gives them some wriggle room.” You made this comment in response to a reader, which leaves me the question. Is there really a NASCAR rule book, or do they just make it up as they go along?
Dale GlebeIowa Park, Texas
NASCAR does have a rule book, but it’s open to more interpretation than Lady Gaga’s wardrobe. This is done on purpose of course, as it allows NASCAR to do whatever NASCAR wants to do.
In the Edwards case, he was cited in violation of Section 12-1: “Actions detrimental to stock car racing,” which NASCAR slapped a hyphen on the end of and added “aggressive driving.”
This type of jurisprudence wouldn’t pass a sniff test in an American court of law, but (ironically) NASCAR isn’t a democracy; it’s a benevolent dictatorship. If you trust the dictator, then you’re probably a happy camper. If you don’t, you’re probably like our next emailer.
Do you think the penalty would have been more severe if Edwards wasn’t employed by Roush/Fenway? I think if Edwards was racing for a small team he would be on probation for a year and lose points as well.
Let’s face it, NASCAR will protect the big teams before the small 1-2 car teams. NASCAR has problems, you betcha.
RicoLeandro, Calif.
I put these two emails back to back because I think it’s important to note that it’s a lot easier to govern from the sidelines when you don’t have to factor in all the variables.
The continuum of NASCAR’s survival is as follows: teams showing up to the track sponsors supporting said teams said teams investing sponsorship money back into the competition the competition creating competitive races fans showing up and tuning in to watch competitive races.
Disrupting any of these steps puts the endgame in jeopardy, and suspending Edwards would have been a major disruption to the continuum. It would have sent a signal to sponsors – not just Edwards’ – that their investment is prone. And when you’re forking over $15-$20 million, the one thing you absolutely need is security.
This is why NASCAR has to function as a benevolent dictator. They have to have the ability to govern on a case-by-case basis in order to make sure the final part of the continuum – fans showing up and tuning in to watch races – remains intact.
If you’re caught cheating on the track, they’re going to punish you regardless of who you are because that jeopardizes the competition part of the continuum. So would suspending a major player on a major team with a major sponsor.
Back to your question, was Edwards given preferential treatment? Maybe, but even if he was that’s how it has to be in order for the sport to function. At least that’s the way I see it.
I am blown away by the decisions that NASCAR makes, and the absolute inconsistent disciplinary choices. The way Brad K is going he is going to end up Killing someone before he is stopped. He is dangerous, reckless, and has no sense of respect for anyone else on that track. He is not a sportsman when he destroys other people in the process and why won’t NASCAR do anything about it??”
But then Carl does one freaking thing and he is disciplined. Was anyone put on probation when Carl was put in the air in the same situation??? Hell no.
How many times has Kyle Busch taken people out and wrecked people with absolutely no consequences???
What is being lost is the past Bradski incidents here, and how many people did Brad K. take out last season alone, and what has happened to him??? Not a damn thing. I am appalled at the BS and inconsistencies in the NASCAR organization. Carl is all class, Brad and Kyle B are NO CLASS.
Dean EdwardsEmmetsburg, Iowa
I love how Kyle Busch gets thrown under the bus even when he doesn’t do anything.
As for NASCAR not sending Keselowski a message earlier, I think they did last season when they didn’t warn Denny Hamlin not to spin Bad is Brad in the Nationwide finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway and, subsequently, slapped Hamlin with a measly one-lap penalty when he did.
The real enforcer of the behavioral expectations of drivers has spoken. Scotts, Carl Edwards’ sponsor of the car at Atlanta, has issued the following statement:
“Scotts appreciates the support of NASCAR fans everywhere, and we have an excellent relationship with Carl Edwards, Jack Roush and the #99 Roush Fenway Racing team. However, like many fans, we were very concerned about the on-track incident that occurred in Atlanta this past weekend. As a result, we have strongly expressed these concerns to both Carl and Jack, and we are confident that they have a clear understanding of the trust we have placed in them as ambassadors of our company, our associates and our brands. In addition, as a sponsor, we want to make sure that drivers, race teams and NASCAR focus on keeping these types of incidents and misjudgments from happening.”
I applaud Scotts for speaking up and would like to see all sponsors press for the teams to behave in a manner that does not bring negative attention to the car and driver running with their logos present. Step over the line, pull the sponsorship from that team, there are plenty of teams looking for sponsors.
I would hope this is allowed in the contract they have with the teams. If not it should be added to the ones moving forward.
M. CorcoranMaryland
So, here’s what I don’t get: fans complain about NASCAR being too corporate, about drivers being more concerned with sponsors than anything else, then I get an email like this.
Maybe I’m missing something here, but it sounds like what you’re looking for in a driver is a good spokesman. And from my perspective, the next time I find interesting anything a spokesman has to say will be the first.
I think Carl should be made to write a check to BK’s owner to cover the cost of a new car. Just think, every time you wreck another guy’s ride your prize money would be given to that guy to cover his losses. Then lawyers could get involved and the geniuses at NASCAR would really have to think about their ridiculous rules. At the end of the year at the big banquet you could have an award for the biggest wrecker and a special trophy for him, followed by a sit down with Kenny and Rusty Wallace or something more painful that I’m having trouble coming up with right now … oh yeah … maybe Jimmy Spencer?
Jim DennisIthaca, N.Y.
How about listening to the 101 “best” Oscar speeches on a loop?
Rule No. 1: Sharing is caring
Jay, Great 9 1/2 questions once again. Gustafson (probably inadvertently) hit on one of the main problems with NASCAR today when he says: ” I would rather see Hendrick Motorsports as a whole succeed” and “that thought [of not sharing] crosses your mind, but you don’t ever act on it.” These mega-teams are really hurting the sport. I’m fine with two-car teams, but Gustafson tells us why NASCAR today just isn’t as competitive as it once was.
BrianAshburn, Va.
I think NASCAR is as competitive as it’s ever been. However, the competition is also more centralized than it’s ever been, and from my perspective that is not a good thing.
Perspective matters
No question here, a comment about you. I have been a NASCAR/racing fan for over 50 years. I’ve seen it all, heard it all and read it all. I scan and read at least sixty NASCAR/racing articles a day and here is my opinion: There might have been better but right now you are the best and confirmed it on March 9th when I viewed you and Wally D on Yahoo video discussing Brad and Carl. You laid out the facts, you commented and gave your opinion on the drivers, the car and NASCAR and didn’t leave a dirty taste in my mouth.
Too many writers [more of late] berate NASCAR for anything and everything to make a buck writing a story. And of course bloggers that know little or nothing about racing or hate NASCAR for their racing series are always a dime a dozen. This is why I always come to Yahoo to read YOU. Please keep up the good work
[PS I can tell you like NASCAR where many writers wish they were covering baseball or something and that makes a huge difference.]
Paul DentonOrlando
If you’re unfamiliar with the list of Edwards’ victims since he came into NASCAR, I’m sure someone would be glad to enumerate them for you. It would be fruitless to discuss anything with you. Your mind is shut tight.
Virginia ReevesChina Spring, Texas
To paraphrase Abraham Lincoln, you can please some people some of the time, but you can’t please all the people all the time.
They would be all yellow
Concerning the debate about green-white-checkered and double-file restarts. … perhaps when the race is officially “over” all but the top ten cars leave the track and are awarded their position at the time of that final caution. Rarely is a car out of the top 10 ever going to win a race under the GWC rule. This would reduce the GWC laps to just 10 cars, all of which are probably pretty well matched in speed and handling. This would surely reduce the risk of more cautions caused by cars that have no real chance to win, yet still get the desired effect of the GWC rule to produce a clear winner. Regards.
Steve WillisHuntersville, N.C.
It’s a good idea in theory, but while those running outside of the top 10 might not be racing for the win, they would be racing to improve their position, and maybe even crack into the top 10. You can’t deny them that possibility while giving others the chance to improve.
While I understand the concern a lot of people have in the wake of several accidents that have come during Green-White-Checker finishes, the alternative is not to have them at all, which means we’ll see finishes under yellow. Which would you prefer?
Last call …
Who cares? Personally, I believe it needs to get back to its roots and they should race on old back roads with a trunk full of highly flamable “HOOCH”!!!! It was, after all, they say derived from illegal shine runnin’!!! This BullS@$T of running around an oval track with no loose weight to shift around in the trunk is a disservice to the real Mc’Coys!!!!
And instead of a pace car, let’s get real and have an old, period correct police car for that job!!!
See what you can do and get back to me!! ASAP! It is true you know, that most people watch it for the wrecks!!!!
MikeNew Castle, Pa.
Jay Hart is the NASCAR editor for Yahoo! Sports. Send Jay a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast.
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