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June 23, 2007
Oh, by the way, there's a race Sunday...
By DAVID GREEN
The latest criminals in NASCAR are the crews that prepared the No. 24 and No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolets for this weekend's action at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. I didn't say that. Fans who hate and constantly bash Hendrick drivers Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson didn't say that. NASCAR did.
Front fenders on the two cars were modified to increase downforce, NASCAR officials said. The modifications were in an area between where two templates are fitted to the car to measure it for compliance.
In response to this violation, the two cars were excluded from practice and qualifying, relegating Gordon -- the series points leader -- and Johnson -- the reigning champion -- to a starting spot near the back of the 43-car grid. Further penalties are expected. Regardless of what NASCAR does, from nothing to execution by lethal injection, there will be complaints.
Am I the only one who is sick of this garbage?
NASCAR has only itself to blame for the impossible position in which it finds itself -- not only in the no-win nature of how it handles punishment for the two Hendrick teams, but more pertinently that the antics of its inspections process are stealing the spotlight from the racing itself.
Perhaps that's a good thing, and I'm just too dumb to see it. Perhaps the product itself is flawed, and NASCAR believes it needs to have a soap opera to go along with the competition. For all I know, more fans are interested in crimes and punishment than in competition, and NASCAR is onto something here.
To be fair about it, perhaps NASCAR is genuinely trying to prevent any team from gaining an unfair advantage over other competitors, with the ultimate objective being absolutely pure competition with results that truly reflect the talent of the driver and his crew to work within the rules and out-perform others.
With all due respect, that seems just a bit daunting.
Whatever the point of it, this continuing saga focuses attention on rules and rules-breaking. And, if that weren't enough, we have other off-track sub-plots such as the Dale Jr.-to-Hendrick story and the NASCAR v. AT&T litigation.
Ironic, isn't it; in the sport we all like to brag about because the racing is so entertaining and competitive, the really good stories have little or nothing to do with close finishes or passes for position and everything to do with the peripherals.
Another missed opportunity for the departed NBC -- another "Law & Order" franchise, this one subtitled, "NASCAR Inspectors."
June 23, 2007 | Permalink
Comments
Rick Hendrick and Chad Knaus are already saying that they've been punished enough. Rick Hendrick also said that he didn't think this warranted a label of cheater for his two teams. Someone should tell him it's too late for that.
I am sick of this stuff too. Jamie McMurray won his third pole of his career and only got a small mention on the RaceTrax. Kurt Busch was right when he said that it's too bad they're starting in the back because no one will know where anyone else is on the track Sunday with the exception of the occasional mention of Jr. on TV.
Give them the severe penalty they deserve, especially since they said that they were trying to gain an advantage with the modification. It won't make a bit of difference. Money talks and b...s.... walks.
Posted by: Sammy | Jun 23, 2007 7:22:01 PM
David,
Another great observation. IMO, NASCAR could probably micro-manage toenail clipping angles into something "Detrimental to the sport of racing."
Every innovation (it's only "cheating" if NASCAR decides it is) should not be called. The sport was built by great innovators. Certainly, NASCAR needs to police all safety issues; Engine displacement, tires and templates etc. But, if it doesn't involve those items, the garage will police itself. How long do you think an advantage goes unnoticed?
Unfortunately, for NASCAR, they have called every discrepency, under the sun, a penalty for so long, that when a real penalty comes along it loses meaning. This, IMO, was a "real" penalty. The COT came about because they were allowed to fiddle with the old car's body to the extent that it became a fender flared, body shifted, aero POS. Too bad, that, as you say, numerous calls have taken the focus off the event and also off the more serious penalties.
Favorite penalties of all time:
1967 Daytona 500 - Curtis Turner drives a Yunick Chevelle to the pole. Too bad it was a 15/16ths replica.
Jr. Johnson welds 100 lb bands of lead to the inside of his rims. After the first tire change his car is 400lbs lighter (NASCAR only weighed cars at the start then.)
Berrier makes Harvicks car seem full with only 4 gallons in the tank. Harvick's my guy, but I think NASCAR missed a chance to show a sense of humor. I would have made Harvick race with a 4 gallon tank.
Posted by: Keith | Jun 23, 2007 8:42:31 PM
Hey David,
Bet you had that post pre-fabbed, just fill in the blanks. lol
Don't mess with our car, reminded me of the Don't mess with Texas, bumper sticker.
Even with the 100pts, 100 grand (a guess) Nascar now has a chance to send a message, or not. You are again correct that it's a shame we are not talking racing. This is a flagrant foul. They are both in position to absorb any penalty.
Consider modifying this post to find a penalty that would really hurt. Like, mmmmm
naming rights to Jeffy's firstborn.
Steala' Lot.. lol
Posted by: Larry | Jun 23, 2007 11:02:19 PM
David,
Thanks for the blog, enjoyed it. Can't wait to see all 43 cars flying around Infineon tomorrow battling for position at every turn. Did you happen to notice how many drivers were losing control of the COT during practice. Should make for some exciting racing on Sunday. Thanks again, it's a welcomed relief!
Posted by: SteveH | Jun 24, 2007 4:20:35 AM
Great read......
I hope they come down hard on Chad, he has a record as being a repeat offender, sometimes that should also play a part in this too.
Posted by: Tony | Jun 24, 2007 8:46:33 AM
Pooles article "...sent the wrong cars home" hits the nail on the head. The penalty from Nascar is going to be (I guess should be) huge. What other option do they have? If they (Nascar) want what they want why don't they just give everyone cars they manufacture and have the teams put their engines in them. That would produce they level field they're after right?
Posted by: canucken | Jun 24, 2007 9:25:10 AM
Formula 1 suspsended Honda for 1 race either last year or two years ago for a rules violation. Now this is just a guess but I have to believe that a formula 1 sponsor is paying more money than a NASCAR sponsor does. Again, I don't know that for a fact but with as much money as F1 teams spend each year I have to believe that sponsors are having to pay a lot to get their names on an F1 car.
So my point is, if F1 isn't concerened about sponsor reaction to a suspension of a team then NASCAR shouldn't be either. If the integrity of the sport is really that important to NASCAR then they have to start suspending teams. They can't give a team a pass because of how the sponsors or fans feel. Because if they do that then it gives the perception that the infration isn't that serious and if that's the case then why penalize them at all.
NASCAR has to be willing to go the full mile with their penalties if they really want to uphold the integrity of the sport.
Posted by: Ken | Jun 24, 2007 9:31:30 AM
David Poole's column ("NASCAR sent the wrong teams home...") certainly stamps a stark, unequivocal interpretation on this issue. Poole makes some points that, I feel, cannot even be debated, never mind rejected.
Having said that, I wonder:
1. Do these altered front fenders represent such a terrible violation that the 24 and 48 cars deserve to be disqualified? (We have no idea, because NASCAR issues so many penalties we -- and, presumably, some competitors -- don't really know how to evaluate the severity of each newly reported "crime.")
2. Do we really want to completely eliminate all mechanical innovation from the sport? Do we want to completely take that out of the equation? (Keith makes a very good point on this in his response above.)
3. Whatever action NASCAR is going to take in this and other matters, what possible justification is there for waiting until Tuesday to do it? If your own rules and procedures are so baffling that you have to take two or three days to sort everything out -- if it takes YOU that long to figure out just how serious this penalty should be -- I think that says volumes.
In any sports event, the most entertaining contests are those in which the officials are all but invisible. Sometimes it is necessary for them to be more assertive, and sometimes they make errors, or at least questionable judgments, that call attention to them. Also without a doubt, there are some egotistical refs who clearly behave as if they feel they ARE the show. That's all a part of the game. NASCAR, however, has emphatically and purposefully placed its officials front and center. Stock car racing is now more a test of obeying complex rules than it is about racing stock cars.
I'm just not convinced it has to be that way.
Posted by: David Green | Jun 24, 2007 10:30:53 AM
Ken makes an excellent point in his reference to the F1 Honda team. Home Depot set a good example for sponsor behavior when it went beyond the NASCAR penalties levied against Tony Stewart a couple of years ago. Sponsors ought to be even more insistent that teams follow the rules than race officials are.
That, of course, leaves us with the question of the clarity and legitimacy of the rules and the consistency of enforcement, or lack of it.
It's interesting that the more highly technical series (F1), with presumably many more areas of mechanical and technological nature to regulate, seems to have a more clear-cut sense of what its rules are and how to enforce them.
Posted by: David Green | Jun 24, 2007 10:35:53 AM
Tony makes an excellent point about Chad Knaus. This guy is either (a) a cheating, immoral, unethical clod or (b) somebody whose persistence in trying to take maximum advantage of every legitimate opportunity has focused an unwanted spotlight on him.
If it's the former, he ought to have been kicked out of the sport a long time ago. If it's the latter, NASCAR is doing a great injustice to him and to itself, because its actions are making him look like a criminal whom they are unwilling to appropriately punish.
Posted by: David Green | Jun 24, 2007 10:46:25 AM
David,
NASCAR does seem to have trapped itself in a "Catch 22" situation. They started micro-managing penalties. If they stop then people lose faith, so they continue to micro-manage penalties because they can't stop or people lose faith...dang, now I have to re-read the book to see how it ends.
NASCAR's "fuzzy logic" rule book may have worked in the olden days. But, unless it says, "Shall exactly fit the template." Or, "Hardware used to mount a component to the body of the car shall not vary even minutely from specifications," then I don't think Jr. or the Hendrick's team are in violation. If NASCAR doesn't want interpretation of their rules, then it's not more inspectors they need. They need to hire someone who knows how to write strong, concise rules that are not open to interpretation.
Posted by: Keith | Jun 24, 2007 11:01:31 AM
Hey David,
Fixing the fenders are not just the crime here.
It is the defiance, suggesting that you can't penalize us enough. (or you won't)
Maybe Hendrick is just providing a community service showing Nascar where the new gray areas are. lol
Flagrant foul.
Posted by: Larry | Jun 24, 2007 11:11:43 AM
Larry,
If it's not clearly defined, then it's open to interpretation. If you're not pushing the envelope you just aren't trying hard enough. They pushed the envelope and NASCAR said no-way. I agree with the call. I don't think the body should be modified period. I also blame NASCAR for lack of clarity in it's rulings. And, more to Davids point, I blame NASCAR for making the refs the focus of the sport. Instead of a 3 ring media circus, don't you think NASCAR could have said, "DEI, we would love to have you in the event...When your wing mount is in order! Or, Gee, Mr. H, we can't let you on to the track with them aero fenders." All without the public being the wiser. But, no, we get NASCAR's impression of Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Making sure the public knows he's in charge.
Posted by: Keith | Jun 24, 2007 11:28:37 AM
Until NASCAR manufactures and hands out IROC bodies with laser certification, they cannot control manipulation. Stay tuned, bet it goes that way within 5 years.
Creative engineering has always been around. So has "working in the grey areas". Making a new temporary template (see pic from Saturday on AP) out of cardboard with sharpie lines for tolerance? What a joke!
Make a solid bracket "claw" that drops over the entire car - a single piece, see-through acrylic perhaps.
It drops over the car, fitting within tolerances, with no manipulation of fenders allowed whatsoever.
On more than one occasion I've seen the fenders pulled out or pushed in by cres during pit stops. But only a few cars get post race checks.
Posted by: anonymouse | Jun 24, 2007 11:44:04 AM
On double standards as well
When the 8 team was found with incorrectly placed wing brackets, nothing was said on Friday. The 8 practiced and qualified. The team lost neither practice time, nor qualifying position.
The announcement for the infraction was held just prior to the actual race.
Why not give the teams the time to repair the problem, instead of making a "federal case" out of it. Then barring on track time and qualifying.
COT car, same rules for all?
The placement of the wing brackets is less severe then shaping a fender?
Amen to Keith for the Arpaio comment.
Posted by: anonymouse | Jun 24, 2007 12:18:43 PM
David, I too am tired of all the negative publicity the Non-NASCAR Nation is hearing.
I've heard the phrase: "there's no such thing as bad publicity," but I've had people ask me how I can watch "cheaters," because that's all they hear or see.
As far as "modifications" to the car. I thought NASCAR was all about teams trying to beat their competitors, and do to that they have to think outside the box.
I'm not saying I agree or disagree with what the 24 and 48 did, but if that's the way NASCAR feels about their COT, they might as well make the NEXTEL Cup series the IROC series. Just give them a car when they show up at the track.
It will be interesting to hear if there will be any pentalies in a few days.
They set a "standard" when the 8 team was fined $100, 100 points and a six week suspension on the crew chief for illegal brackets on the COT.
If the penalties are not somewhat equal, I guess it would be compared to Kurt Busch being parked after his incident with Tony Stewart.
No matter, I'd rather be talking about how boring the Rolex race was last night, which was a first. It's not the same when they split the Protypes and the GTs.
Congratulations to Aric Almirola on the "win" last night. Too bad he wasn't in the car when the checkered flag waved. But Rockwell was happy, and I guess in this era of NASCAR, that's all that matters.
Another good observation David.
Now let's go racin' boys!
Posted by: Shirley | Jun 24, 2007 12:25:21 PM
BTW, don't know if I'm looking forward to the Morning Drive on Sirius Monday morning or not. I have a feeling David Poole might be rather vocal again.
Poor Marty! ;-)
Posted by: Shirley | Jun 24, 2007 12:29:33 PM
Ken, love the F1 reference. Honda was a prefect example. And also putting Michael Schumacher to the rear of the field when he "parked" his Ferrari during qualifying at Monaco last year. Everyone knew what to expect.
However, when it comes to NASCAR it's days before "they" even know what the penalty will be.
Posted by: Shirley | Jun 24, 2007 12:42:33 PM
Keith, I agree with you 100%.
It sure ain't the Winston Cup any more.
Posted by: Shirley | Jun 24, 2007 12:45:09 PM
Only in NASCAR can you cheat and still play the game!!!!!!!
If NASCAR wannted to make a message about working in the gray area to all competors they would fin RHM with a big fine and loss of at least 150 points,remove the crew chiefs for a least 6 races and bar them from working on the cars at the shop( a type of prison.. Barred from the sport ect. ) Is chad still on probation from Dayton ? IF he is ban him for the rest of the year...
Posted by: wireman | Jun 24, 2007 12:47:34 PM
wireman,
I disagree...pre-race inspections could be handled with a, "Fix this or don't race." Now, if I were going to slam someone, with points and fines, it would be a post race infraction. "Pre" doesn't influence the event..."Post," was an advantage throughout the event. But, there doesn't have to be a big show in HDTV for the "Pre." If they can't fix it they go home...NASCAR has to say nothing but, "They were out of Spec." If everyone is good at the start and finish, who cares? The event was fair. And, the focus was on the racing...And, not waiting on tuesdays announcements.
Posted by: Keith | Jun 24, 2007 1:18:09 PM
One issue unmentioned is the chase. Gordon and Johnson can afford any penalties NASCAR might hand out at this point. If NASCAR wants to hit them big time, they need to dock them chase points. Everyone goes into the chase with 5000 +10/win. Gordon and Johnson will do exactly that, and these penalties won't hurt a bit.
Let's go road racin'!
Posted by: Doug in CA | Jun 24, 2007 1:18:35 PM
Hey great idea, let's just turn the Nextel/Sprint Series into the Iroc Series. I'm a Jeff Gordon fan and I'm hoping that the penalties handed out by Nascar are equivalent to the penalties handed to Dale Jr. and Team. To recommend sending Jeff and Jimmie home is just absolutely ludicrous. Or maybe, it's a prayer by Hendrick haters to gain a advantage in points for the finishing order of the top 12, which isn't going to amount to anything once the Chase starts. The field will be reset by Wins. What's next, "Lets take all four Of Jimmie's and Jeff's wins away, l.o.l. The infractions at Infineon were on top of the front fenders between the template arms. The template fit the car. The area on top of the fender was visible to everyone at the track. The inspectors didn't like what was before their eyes and parked the two cars because they felt like it would give Jimmie and Jeff an unfair advantage. The cars are fixed and ready to go per Nascar inspectors. The standing rule for Nascar is "Don't Mess With the COT", even in the gray areas. The gray areas are called that because, they are areas that the template doesn't cover. The front fenders for the COT are hand made, that's not to say the Hendrick body shop didn't over do the build up on top of the front fenders intentionally. That's why I believe they should get the same penalties as the #8 team. To look for something more from them is just trying to gain an unfair advantage in points, and cheating in it's own way! Let's Go Racing shall we. Enough is Enough.
Posted by: SteveH | Jun 24, 2007 1:45:46 PM
SteveH,
Like I said for Jr.'s/Hendrick's and any other NASCAR scofflaw not caught this time...Fix it and we'll let you qualify. There is no need for pre-race penalties period. Ya got caught, fix it or don't race. Now, Mikey's, wasn't even grey. If NASCAR wanted to make a pre-race disqualification, that was their opportunity.
Posted by: Keith | Jun 24, 2007 1:57:26 PM
Keith,
I agree with your statement. It's going to be interesting to see how this is handled by Nascar. For what reason should any penalty by Nascar be more severe for Hendrick? Chad's a cheater isn't good enough. Personal opinions have nothing to do with rules. Call it Fair Nascar. Have a great Sunday and enjoy the race. L.G.R.
Posted by: SteveH. | Jun 24, 2007 2:13:52 PM
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