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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
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