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October 23, 2005
There's bumping, and then there's bumping
By DAVID GREEN
Yes, there was some contact when Tony Stewart made his way past Jimmie Johnson to take second place in the Subway 500 at Martinsville Speedway Sunday.
But let's clarify things just a bit here: Stewart's move was NOT the infamous bump-and-run that guys such as Subway 500 winner Jeff Gordon use regularly. It is ignorant at worst and disingenuous at best to suggest the tactics are the same.
Stewart got a fender inside Johnson's left rear going into Turn 1 of lap 490, and held his ground when Johnson tried to slam the door on him. The contact, which caused Johnson to bobble, was initiated by Johnson as much as by Stewart; Stewart could have tried to brake and give Johnson the inside line, or Johnson could have given Stewart room on the inside.
Each driver had an option, and each had some risk in the matter. The contact easily might have flattened Stewart's right front tire.
Such is not the case in the cold-blooded, front bumper-to-rear bumper contact that is designed to knock a competitor out of the groove, rather than fairly take it from him. Usually, the only risk to the bump-and-run artist is retaliation sometime down the road. If the bumper doesn't do a good enough job of his dirty work, as was the case with Kevin Harvick vs. Ricky Rudd at Richmond a couple of years ago, he gets his payback a little sooner rather than later.
What Stewart did versus Johnson Sunday is hard, high-risk racing; what Gordon, Harvick and others do with the bump-and-run is a cheap shot that demeans their achievements, just as the overly roughhouse tactics the late Dale Earnhardt often used made many fans and competitors angry.
In another incident Sunday, Greg Biffle accused Stewart of trying to crowd him into the wall after he moved past Biffle late in the race. Stewart was passing on the inside, and allowed his car to drift upward before he had completely cleared Biffle. The incident angered Biffle, who set out to try to wreck Stewart in retaliation but failed.
Biffle could have held his ground, the way Stewart did in his fight with Johnson, and Stewart might very well have been turned hard into the backstretch wall by contact with Biffle's left front fender. So, if Stewart was in fact deliberately crowding Biffle, who was a lap off the pace, he was taking an extremely stupid risk to do so. If the "crowding" was accidental, it could have been a costly error.
From this perspective, Stewart is a hard-nosed racer, but not a dirty one. I've seen him lose races to the bump-and-run tactic, but I've never seen him win one that way. When and if I do, my feelings about the tactic will be the same as those expressed here.
October 23, 2005 | Permalink
Comments
Man, every post of yours gets worse. You're such an asshole, and a bandwagon rider. You make Mayor Jimmy look like Wolf Blitzer. I've been watching NASCAR for, Jeez I don't know, about 30 years now. And I have seen Tony do some pretty crappy things. Way to suck some Home Depot ass.
Posted by: G | Oct 23, 2005 10:44:53 PM
What a moron. If you want racing without any contact watch the IRL.
In NASCAR, "rubbing is racing". That's how it has always been and it probably won't change any time soon. When a fast guy is being blocked by a slower car sometimes push comes to shove. So be it.
Posted by: henslayer | Oct 24, 2005 12:27:02 AM
Stewart plays both sides. He was the victim when Biffle was in his way but he's the first to dive late into the next corner and knock the guy he's racing for a championship out of the way. Which by the way was what Gordon did to Busch in May at Martinsville to Busch. Now the other driver was at fault. Johnson ran a very polite courteous race and worked past Stewart and Tony cheapshots him. To me that is pretty low. But it's easy to second guess everything from here. They each had a split second to make a decision and they both made it out of Martinsville even with the contact.
Posted by: Scott | Oct 24, 2005 1:52:44 AM
"G" go AWAY! And take your language with you!
Tony's move was an excellent example of "lead, follow, or get out of the way racing." The 20 was fastest all day with few exceptions, that close to the end you do what every racer worth his salt would do. Move him out of the way and go about your business.
Scott, cheapshot? Sorry not even close. If yopu think Johnson would have done different your dreaming. But alas, JJ could catch him to return the favor could he?
Posted by: Marc | Oct 24, 2005 2:24:55 AM
As Paul Newman said in the classic movie "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," we seem to be a little short on brotherly love around here.
G, you take some deep, cleansing breaths and relax, OK? You and the noble Slayer of Hens should read these next lines very slowly, so you can understand them better (not that it will change your opinions, but I wanted to attempt to make sure you were bashing me for the right reasons):
I like hard racing and the physical contact that goes with it (and there's a lot more of that in the Indy Racing League than you would ever imagine). In my opinion, the bump-and-run is not hard racing; it's a cheap-shot tactic, no matter who uses it. On the other hand, sticking the nose of your car into a hole and holding your ground is legitimate, hard racing, regardless of the consequences and regardless of who's driving the cars involved. For those of you such as Scott, who don't make any distinction between the two things, fine -- that's your opinion, and you're entitled to it. (By the way, thanks for making your point with some civility, Scott. Perhaps G and Henslayer can take note.)
I admire drivers like Mark Martin, Dale Jarrett, Bobby and Terry Labonte, Ricky Rudd, Ricky Craven, Ted Musgrave and others -- including Stewart -- who race hard but clean. I admired Earnhardt and I admire Gordon for their achievements and their awesome talents, but I don't like it when they race dirty. Earnhardt did, and Gordon does. Not all the time, either of them, but frequently enough that it is obviously a part of their arsenal of weapons, or repertoire, or however you want to phrase it. In other words, it's a routine part of what they do.
If you like that, fine -- just as long as you like it just the same when your favorite is on the "taking it" as well as the "dishing out" end of the deal. I'm especially weary of drivers like Gordon who knock people out of the way at will and then cry about it when they get roughed up themselves, whether it's by someone else employing the same dirty tactics or as the result of an accident. Ditto their fans.
I've never found Stewart to be guilty of that. I've seen him make plenty of errors, such as hitting Kasey Kahne from behind at Chicagoland last year, I've seen him in plenty of tight-quarters racing in which there was considerable contact, and we've all seen him lose his temper for all kinds of reasons time and time again. I've heard him complain often, sometimes without any grounds that I could agree with. But I don't see him as a hypocrite, and I don't see that kind of behavior as habitual or predictable in him.
You all see what you see, and I see what I see. I'm voicing my thoughts, and you are free to voice yours. Too bad some of you seem unable to do that without shaming yourselves. I just hope your mothers don't read this blog. Then again, perhaps in some cases, Mom would be proud of how well and how creatively her little one employs the "F" bomb and other expressions common to those with limited vocabularies. Maybe that's who you learned it from.
If so, my condolences, but keep the comments coming, even those with "X" ratings. It isn't as if I haven't seen or heard the words before.
Posted by: David Green | Oct 24, 2005 7:37:52 AM
DG it look like ur face is stuck way up the Home Depot driver's ass. Can u even see from there? I am not at all mad at what the 20 car did to the 48. That's what short track racing is all about. Stewart used the same move that gordon and every other NASCAR driver used on a short track. But why are you bitching like a 5 year old girl on gordon? Are you such a sorry looser that you couldn't stop crying when gordon won. Gordon didn't use that move yesterday. That deal with busch was six months ago. Both drivers probably even completely forgot about it. But ur a still out here bitching. Please stewart doesn't use dirty moves? What racing series have you been watching for the past 5 years?
Posted by: 48fan | Oct 24, 2005 8:34:19 AM
48fan,
If you look carefully, you'll see I did not suggest Gordon did anything wrong yesterday, nor Johnson, nor Stewart, nor anyone else. I said some drivers do that sometimes, and Gordon is one of the repeat offenders. I never said he wins every race by driving dirty. I said he drives dirty frequently.
I have no problem with Gordon's victory yesterday. I had no problem with Ryan Newman's win at New Hampshire. In that race, Newman and Stewart put on a clinic showing how to race hard and clean.
Jeff Gordon is certainly capable of that. He just doesn't always abide by such rules of decorum. Nor did Earnhardt. For what it's worth to you, I don't think Johnson should be placed in that group with Gordon, Earnhardt, etc. I think he's a cleaner driver than that. I just wish he wouldn't cry about it when he gets passed in a hard but clean move, such as Stewart used on him yesterday.
Have a nice day, and good luck to your driver in the Chase. He appears to have a good shot at winning the title, after coming so close last year. He has already demonstrated that he would be a deserving champion, in his heroic comeback last year and in his performance so far this year.
Posted by: David Green | Oct 24, 2005 8:45:09 AM
Not that I particulary like it, but the one groove, stay in line racing at Martinsville lends itself to only one form of passing and that's on the inside (ok 2 if you count slower cars moving out of the way). You can do it on the inside or you can wave to 20 or so of your best buddies from the high side as they go by. Passing on the inside, at a short track, I believe comes in 2 flavors. Flavor one let's call "The Punt". Beautifully demonstrated by Kurt Busch on the #15 (Great air time btw Kurt and no return. NFL were you watching?). Sometimes a crowd favorite this form will always damage at least 1 car and may involve later issues both on and off the track. Flavor two let's call "Persistant Annoyance". Here I am. I'm faster and I can stick this here bumper in here all day until you slip up. Not always liked by the other driver but hey it's called racing and at a short track rubbin's racing. This is what Stewart did to Johnson and since JJ could never catch him I'm going to assume the faster car prevailed. Some punting rebuttals may carry over to Atlanta but the #48 knew he was raced fair. Now on to Atlanta where hopefully we can see some superfast racing where the tires actually stay round longer than 25 laps.
Posted by: Keith | Oct 24, 2005 8:47:22 AM
I have a question to any of the experts out there:
Kurt Busch was penalized one lap for punting Micheal Waltrip into the wall. Mark Martin blatantly did the same thing to i think Mike Wallace to bring out the first caution when Tony was about to put martin a lap down. Why does KB gets a one lap penalty and martin drives away scott free?
Thank god NBC didn't interview Waltrip yesterday. Any day the he doesn't talk on TV is a good day.
Posted by: 48fan | Oct 24, 2005 9:27:15 AM
48fan,
I think one of Kurts ears flopped out of the helmet and covered his eyes so NASCAR penalized him for unsecured equipment. Martin also is known as one of the cleanest racers and I'm betting NASCAR saw more than a resonable doubt it was nothing but incidental contact(i'll have to look at the TIVO of it). Kurt's like I said above was a punt worthy of the NFL.
Posted by: Keith | Oct 24, 2005 9:40:41 AM
Amen to Keith's comments about Mark Martin. No question, he's one of the most upright drivers in NASCAR. If Mark hits somebody, you can bet it was unintentional/incicdental, regardless of what it looks like on television.
Posted by: David Green | Oct 24, 2005 10:30:42 AM
David Green - well said on all counts. 48fan and all others who dislike Tony are just jealous because he's the best driver in NASCAR. If you ask all of the drivers "who is the best driver", the majority will say Tony Stewart.
Posted by: Diane | Oct 24, 2005 10:58:03 AM
Diane,
At this level I would think all of the drivers would say they themselves are the best driver. This is the major leagues baby and small egos don't get it done. I will grant you "most feared driver" not for bad driving but because at this point in time every Sunday he's a threat to win.
Posted by: Keith | Oct 24, 2005 11:34:55 AM
Thank you for explaining it slowly so me and the other short bussers can figure it out...Hmm, let's see...Yep still think your post is lame. And, by the way, I don't really like the way you talked about my mother. She was a good person. She might not be proud of my language, but she would be proud that I stated my mind.
I don't know what bizzarro universe that you live in where Tony is a clean driver and Gordon and Earnhardt are the bad guys, but it must be a nice place.
Must be like living in Wonkaland.
Posted by: G | Oct 24, 2005 11:51:31 AM
I'm with "G". Hard to call Tony a role model for squeaky clean driving. If you're slower, don't complain if somebody moves you - you're supposed to be racing, not blocking.
Posted by: mooneydriver | Oct 24, 2005 12:39:16 PM
G, if you took my remark about mothers personally, perhaps the shoe fits. If it doesn't, then what are you comlaining about? (Old country proverb: If you throw a rock into a pack of dogs, the only one that whelps is the one that gets hit by the rock.)
Mooneydriver, I'm not really sure what G said that would prompt your agreement, but for what it's worth, I'm opposed to blocking or mirror-driving. When somebody is zig-zagging to block legitimate overtaking moves, yes, he deserves to be dumped. Running a consistent line is not blocking. It's the responsibility of the faster driver to prove his superiority by cleanly passing. Any idiot can knock people out of his way.
Posted by: David Green | Oct 24, 2005 1:27:13 PM
Well, who the hell else was it directed to? Pick me up an Everlasting Gobstopper while you're there , Dave. Any idiot can knock somebody out of their way, and any idiot can write a blog.
But I'll tell you what..I like the fire in you boy. I look forward to arguing with you for years to come.
Deleting my comments were chicken..(Oh how do I say it it?) poop.
You have a responsibilty to post everything no matter how (and I even admit I went over the line)wrong it may be.
Posted by: G | Oct 24, 2005 1:47:36 PM
Tony is one of the cleaner drivers in NASCAR. Sure he has made mistakes (like we all do) and has caused wrecks (all drivers do from time to time). Several drivers have stated that they like racing Tony (Sadler, Newman, etc.). However, b/c the press loves to play up Tony's "Bad Boy" image, he has been portrayed as a rough driver. The press places blame on Tony for minor incidents and tends to overblow anything and everything re: Tony. However, if another driver does the same, or worse, the press will hardly mention it. (How many cars did Johnson punt this year before the press made a slight mention that he might be driving a little too aggressive?)
Moreover, the press may portray Jeff Gordon as a squeeky clean driver; however, he is not. Gordon has moved more than a few cars out of his way in the past. However, he is the first to cry when it happens to him.
Posted by: Martin Fan | Oct 24, 2005 1:52:44 PM
"G" no one has the "responsibility" to post anything left here as a comment. Being wrong is one thing, everyone is at one point or another, being abusive, hateful, or useing unacceptable language doesn't fall under anyone's "responsibility" to leave that typr of comment for public view.
As far as any idiot can have a blog, your correct, where's yours? Then YOU can take that "responsibility."
In fact I'll help you out, wanna free hosted blog? Have at it, (http://wordpress.com/) along with a free copy of the latest browser.
You can have your own "mini-rantville" to call your own complete with hate, invective and insults.
Posted by: Marc | Oct 24, 2005 6:56:11 PM
G,
I just post my comments on this blog, pal, same as you. I don't clean up the messes left by people who don't want to abide by the rules established by the operators. But I applaud the TR blogmeisters for their efforts to keep it clean.
Glad you like my "fire." Funny how I can communicate that to you without resorting to gutter language, huh?
Thanks to Marc, Diane, Keith, Martin Fan and the rest for your contributions that helped make this an interesting ride. I'm moving on to new material now. See y'all in the next blog.
Posted by: David Green | Oct 25, 2005 12:58:26 AM
Holy hateful people, Batman! After all that, I am too tired to remember what my opinion was.
Way to stand your ground with some self-respect, DG.
Posted by: Christa | Oct 26, 2005 2:47:01 PM
Funny Martin Fan - YOU are calling Gordon a whiner what has Mark Martin done the WHOLE chase,and most of the year,he is on his radio WHINING about something all the time.(get such and such driver out of my way, I can't do anything with my car, blah, blah, blah) But I guess to you that is just complaining?
Not to mention him flat out wrecking Wallace to keep from going a lap down, that isn't right either!
All I can say is: Pot meet Kettle!!
Posted by: truracinfan | Oct 26, 2005 4:44:25 PM
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