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September 23, 2006
Things that make you go 'Phew!'
By DAVID GREEN
One race down, nine to go, and no end of mudslinging accusations and snide remarks. What a start to the third Chase to the Cup.
There's already much debate going on over the Bob Dillner "expose" of RCR's trick wheels on Turn 3 colleague Mike Harper's latest piece and in other forums. And then there's the litigation between fired RCR engine builder Anthony Corrente and the Childress team.
Finally, there's Jeff Gordon's angst because lame-duck teammate Brian Vickers won't go in the tank every time the 24 cars approaches to attempt an overtaking maneuver.
Maybe it's just the stomach flu I'm battling these days; then again, maybe some things in the racing world really are sickening.
As for the attacks on RCR, I'm afraid I don't have enough information to even form an opinion. I don't know what Anthony Corrente's beef is. The major point of contention seems to be over illegal modifications to a restrictor-plate engine, but the RCR team hasn't exactly been monopolizing top finishes in plate races recently.
The notion that RCR folks wanted to know "how engines were constructed at Joe Gibbs Racing" strikes me as a "well, duh" presumption. Presumably, Childress didn't hire Corrente because the Gibbs team's cars were underpowered, and he (Childress) wanted the same inferior powerplants in his cars.
Presumably, unless Corrente is bound by some sort of non-compete clause in his contract with Gibbs, he would have been willing to build the best engines he could build for his new employer, just like he did for his previous one. Seems like it would've done no harm to answer questions from his new employer and fellow employees about just how he intended to go about doing his job.
I'm waiting for lots of information regarding the wheels on those RCR cars. I still don't understand how we've established that any wrong was done, how it might have been done, or why it might have been done. I don't engineer or build championship-winning racecars, but then again neither does Bob Dillner, and until he can explain this to me in terms a fellow layman can understand, I'm not sure that he has a story.
The Observer's David Poole defends Dillner for protecting his sources, but this is an aspect of journalism that has cost the industry much of its credibility in recent decades. Too often, the public -- which, journalists are quick to affirm, have a "right to know" -- suddenly don't have any right to know exactly where the information is coming from. Therefore, their hands are tied in any attempt to evaluate the validity of the information. We're all simply left to choose whom we believe.
Easy enough to figure out how that's going to go. If you pull for RCR or its drivers, Dillner and Speed are the bad guys for lying about your favorites. If you've got something against RCR or think Kevin Harvick is a smart-aleck, then you accept at face value the vague report that Harvick's team may be cheating. The rest of us don't know what to think.
Then there's the "ugly teammate" issue. I have a well-established prejudice in this matter, but for those with short memories or first-time visitors to this blog, I'll repeat my position: Racing is not a team sport, at least not in the traditional American sense. It has been part and parcel of grand prix and road racing in Europe for years and it certainly has been more prevalent in NASCAR than many stock car racing fans would like to admit.
But it has never been considered acceptable, not until this era of mega-team racing. Somehow, nowadays everybody is supposed to be "a good teammate." And this brings us to Jeff Gordon whining about how Brian Vickers "raced him hard" for a top-three finishing position.
I've been very, very cool toward young Master Vickers ever since his cold-blooded dumping of Mike Bliss a couple of years ago at Charlotte in the race that used to be called the Winston Open, but I sure don't see anything wrong with Vickers trying to finish as high as he could in the Sylvania 300, never mind if it was Jeff Gordon trying to take the position away.
I think I'm gonna throw up again. And I don't think it's stomach flu.
September 23, 2006 | Permalink
Comments
Good column.
I'm glad to see my boy Gordon appearing on all internet blogs.
Please don't eat runny eggs today.
thanks.
Posted by: Woody | Sep 24, 2006 7:01:08 AM
Gordon seems to have a problem with everyone racing him lately, but mostly with his "teammates" Vickers and Busch. I guess it's been so long that he's forgotten that he was once the "young gun" and not all that respectful of the former Champs he raced with.
As far as the Dillner issue is concerned, it's a non-story. The 4th estate can protect its sources all they like and pretend to be the defenders of justice but that doesn't hold water here. They jumped the gun and reported a story based on hearsay. SPEED and Dillner are right up there with Jeraldo and the National Inquirer. If there is no story make one up.
Posted by: Keith | Sep 24, 2006 7:55:21 AM
Keith, not to be dismissive of your point about Gordon no longer being in the young gun's Nomex shoes, but just what is this beef, exactly, about hard racing?
There are times when discretion is the better part of valor, and it's wise just to let some go past you -- someone who is being overly aggressive, or overly optimistic about his tire wear or perhaps his own driving ability.
(Mike Daly would disagree, of course. He believes every driver should lead every lap, or try to, despite the nonsensical quality of that notion.)
But except in such cases in which it is clearly smart to surrender the battle so you have a better chance of winning the war, what the heck is wrong with somebody "racing hard" to gain or to hold a position? Isn't that what the sport is about? Isn't that precisely what Jeff Gordon is doing when he complains about Brian Vickers?
Posted by: David Green | Sep 24, 2006 10:02:10 AM
Quick question - how many laps down was Vickers when Jeff was trying to pass him and Vickers was doing the blocking? I think I heard the announcers say "4" and if that was true, then one does have to wonder why Vickers was blocking Gordon so intensely. No, I'm not a fan of either driver - just like good racing including some beatin' & bangin', but not when it jeopardizes one of the chasers unnecessarily.
Posted by: Sr Race Fan | Sep 24, 2006 10:24:35 AM
Um Sr Race Fan I think Gordo and Vickers where racin' for positition.
The allegations for from Dilhole...Dilner are NONFACTOR!...His "source" put thae bug in in hole and he ran with it, Remember "don't believe anything you hear and only half of what yo see"...somebody is trying to get into somebody's head to get them of there game. IMO Gordo is just frustrated with his own performance of late. he hasn't eclipsed Dale Earnhardt's win record yet and His "Drive for 5" is now in it's "Chapter 5...the saga continues", Must have attended Gene Simmons school of how to milk a good thing. Jeff Gordon is no longer the "Goldon Child" and the last time I saw the rulebook there was no "Past champion rule" to let em on by and BTW David I guess we'll agree to disagree on Vicker's use of the chrome horn to move Bliss out the way. Boys and Girls it is time to roll up you sleeves and ...Shut up and Race!
Posted by: Tbfka#5 | Sep 24, 2006 11:53:13 AM
Hello here, hasn't anybody seen Vicker's tear up a bunch of cars racing hard. I like him but he seems to make bad decisions sometimes. I wouldn't want to spend to many laps around him either. If I was a teamate to a chase driver, I would act like one until the last lap, then all bets are off and may the best car win.
Posted by: jeff | Sep 24, 2006 11:53:57 AM
Brian France and his corporate cronies have turned Na$car into a steaming pile of poo
Posted by: Kasey | Sep 24, 2006 12:54:04 PM
Sr Race Fan, seeing as how Vickers finished fifth, on the lead lap, at New Hampshire, I don't believe your information about him being four laps off the pace could possibly be accurate. A driver who's off the pace ought to stay out of the way of leaders. Vickers wasn't in that position.
#5, to you and all the others who love seeing somebody get dumped, I offer you the waning laps of today's Dover 400, where Jeff Burton and Matt Kenseth showed all the no-talent "chrome horn" artists how to race, not wreck, your opponent. THAT was great racing. You guys who like to see the bump and grind need to check out the demolition derby circuit, and some of your favorite drivers need to drop down to that level of competition as well.
Jeff, I don't defend drivers who make bad decisions, and I already singled out Vickers for his cowardly dumping of Bliss. Racing Gordon hard for a top-five spot did not constitute making a bad decision. Just because I might be leery of racing against a driver for some reason doesn't mean he should be obligated to move over and let me pass him.
I wish somebody could explain to me how rules of common decency change when the white flag waves. If something you do to another driver is questionable on the first or the 15th lap, it's still questionable (in other words, probably wrong) on the final lap. Thank God for drivers like Jeff Burton. Congratulations to him and the RCR team.
Finally, to Kasey -- huh?
Posted by: David Green | Sep 24, 2006 5:21:18 PM
Oops! So much for my galloping senility! (Thanks for the correction) The final laps of today's race were perfect - glad to see Burton finally prevail, but sorry that gas mileage was partially a factor for the chasers.
Posted by: Sr Race Fan | Sep 24, 2006 7:41:30 PM
You only heard what TV played for you in reference to Jeff Gordon and Brian Vickers, had you heard the entire conversation, you wouldn't have shown your dumb ass, and followed the standard line that Jeff was complaining Vickers would just pull over
You are as bad as Dillner, get your FACTS before shooting off your mouth about something you don't have all the facts on
Posted by: I love Tony | Sep 24, 2006 9:25:46 PM
David, I took a few days off from racing and spent the weekend in Gainesville pretending I was in college again. And it was worth every minute! Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers AND Stevie Nicks rocked, and the Gators kicked butt! Woo hoo!!! (Sorry about your Wildcats, but they did give folks in The Swamp a scare. Phew is right!)
What I know about Anthony Corrente is what I just read here. So I really have no opinion except to say; if you are hired by a company to do a specific job, that is what is expected of you, no matter your past employment. If you have a non-compete, then you wait until that has expired before accepting such position.
Re: Dillner’s report last week - Norm Frosher, ex-sports writer for “The Gainesville Sun,” told me one time that before he reported a story he made sure he had a least two credible sources, preferably three, before putting anything in print.
At first, I never heard Dillner say he had more than one source until yesterday, but never said who they were. I question if those sources were “credible” or was it just hearsay. If he believes what he stated is true and accurate, then I commend him for it. However, if it was another team trying to “stir things up” in the RCR camp, and he got in the middle of it, he should admit it and move on.
At least when Wendy Venturini reported that Mark Martin would not be driving a Cup car for Roush in 2007, she had Marty Smith’s piece on nascar.com to fall back on. Don’t see anything for Bob Dillner to use as proof. Or, as Dave Despain said; it took 20+ years after Watergate before we found out who Deep Throat was. But I have a feeling this will die down within 20 days, forget about 20 years.
Although, I noticed during qualifying at Dover that the drivers were being very defensive of statements they made off camera when the pit reporter “repeated” their statements. I can’t remember who the first was, but I do remember Matt Kenseth saying something to the effect – “...that wasn’t what I said, I said...” Sorry, I can’t remember the exact quote, but he made sure viewers knew what he really said. (I did take a few minutes to check out Speed Channel, but then it was time to get ready for tailgating!)
When Brian Vickers announced he was living HMS I thought it was due to the loss of Ricky Hendrick. Watching and listening the past few months makes me think that was not the only reason he decided to move on.
I hope he does well with Red Bull, and I can’t wait to see how Casey Mears is treated in the 25 Monte Carlo SS. Wonder if the name “Mears” will make any difference.
Congratulations to Jeff Burton and the entire Richard Childress organization. It’s great to see them back on top.
I was so glad Jeff didn’t mention anything about “tire-gate” in Victory Lane. It was funny after the Busch race on Saturday, but I didn’t feel appropriate Sunday.
And what a trooper to sit at the Speed desk through a rain storm and not miss a beat. Then Richard stopped by soaking wet. However, JR, Jimmy and Kenny had to change clothes. Now tell me who the real men were in Victory Lane!
Excellent piece David, and thoughts I was thinking as well. Hope you’re feeling better by now and the 10th graders are bringing you lots of chicken soup! I was worried about the rain and floods up your way. Obviously you’re okay and haven’t floated away. Feel better soon!
Posted by: Shirley | Sep 25, 2006 9:47:27 AM
Hmmm 10th graders bringing chicken soup?...there probably goin "Oh boy a Sub!" J/K!...Shirl I have done the same at "Speed Street" losing my voice after 2 nights of Ratt's Stephen Pearcy, Motley Crue's Vince Neil and 3 Days Grace!
However IMO O don't think Mears will fare any better than his predecessors...Craven and Schrader...The #25 is a hexed #...when I lured a "Bud" sponsor we agree'd to run the # 25 to tie into the Cup series after 1 1/2 seasons of dispair I had my hardest wreck ever that took us out of the season! Lucky for me I go the ol # 3 back!
Posted by: Tbfka#5 | Sep 25, 2006 2:44:11 PM
So Bud, you think the number is jinxed. That's too bad. What if Hendrick changes the number? Has anyone said it would remain the 25? Roush changed the 97 to the 26 when McMurray took over. Maybe they should consider the same! ;-)
Posted by: Shirley | Sep 26, 2006 8:28:20 AM
Ughhhhh the # 26!!! Ricky Bobby!!!
Posted by: Tbfka#5 | Sep 26, 2006 2:34:47 PM
Guess Gordon doesn't like any one who challenges his " I am the great shining star" of NASCAR and you should bow to me approach, why is it that the golden boy isn't winning those titles the way he used too, may the young guns or maybe fleeting talent or the fact that for years he was ahead of the game in equipment and now he is the one who is getting the Terry Labonte treatment to Busch and Johnson when it comes to the good stuff, what ever the reason I am really enjoying not seeing his face in victory lane, yes I have had to stomach it a time or two this season, but like in past years and that like not having to eat Tuna noodle caserole is all worth it for me...
Posted by: Bill | Sep 27, 2006 2:35:46 PM
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