You’re suspended! Well, not really.

By Mike Harper

Cheating, playing in the gray areas or pushing-the-envelope, call it what you want – after the Daytona 500 dust cleared several crew chiefs were suspended by NASCAR. The violations surrounded many different components of the series rule book including actions detrimental to stock car racing, car parts components and/or equipment not conforming to NASCAR rules, unapproved aerodynamic modification and gasoline must not be blended with alcohols, ethers or other oxygenates.

The penalties ranged from two-race and four-race suspensions to an indefinite suspension based on the severity of the violation. While the length of suspensions may differ for each rule violator, NASCAR has now defined the suspension process and at the same time lost all control on being consistent or enforce their own suspensions.

According to my dictionary suspension means, "A temporary abrogation or deferment," and abrogation means, "To abolish, do away with." In everyday terms, a four-race suspension means a person is abolished from participating in NASCAR activities for four races.

Indefinite means, "Not definite, unclear, vague, uncertain and undecided." Again in everyday terms, an indefinite suspension means a person is abolished from participating in NASCAR activities for an unknown amount of time – undecided by the person(s) who suspended the rule violator.

This week several Nextel Cup Series teams participated in an official test of the ‘Car of Tomorrow’ at the Bristol Motor Speedway. According to reports the two crew chiefs that are currently serving a four-race suspension were given permission to participate in the event. The crew chief serving the indefinite was not allowed to participate.

What’s wrong with this picture?

Often NASCAR wonders why the media, fans and critics question them on rules and penalty consistency. Well, here’s a perfect example of inconsistent parenting. In my opinion, a suspension, whether it’s for four races or indefinitely is just what it is – a suspension.

In this case NASCAR is like a parent. They have 43 children at every race event and when they put three of their children in a time out chair for being naughty, but allow two out of the chair temporally to attend a party is inconsistent and wrong. Is NASCAR playing favorites?

Call me strict, but none of the suspended crew chiefs should have been allowed to participate in the test session. They broke a rule, got suspended and should’ve been home reading columns on ThatsRacin.com. But when NASCAR doesn’t enforce their own penalties – they create a crazy playground for their kids and the kids will continue to push the envelope because they know they’ll get away with it.

Good job NASCAR!