Posted on 03/26/2002 6:42:11 AM PST by meandog
By Chris Jenkins, USA TODAY
Last weekend's Jerry Springer-style antics at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway brought down five-figure fines and probation on Kevin Harvick and Robby Gordon, plus a lesser fine for Dale Earnhardt Jr.
NASCAR officials fined Harvick $15,000 for confronting Greg Biffle after Saturday's Busch Series race. They fined Gordon $10,000 and Earnhardt $5,000 for banging fenders after Sunday's Winston Cup race. Both Harvick and Gordon are on probation until Aug. 28 and would receive stiffer penalties for making more trouble in the next five months.
Although Harvick's fine was higher, Fox TV analyst Darrell Waltrip said Gordon's infraction was more troubling. Gordon spun Earnhardt's car out on pit road, where it could accidentally have hit crew members. "It's certainly more dangerous," Waltrip said. "Nobody's expecting it, nobody's looking for it."
Waltrip called on NASCAR to reign in its young, aggressive drivers. "They've got to send a little stronger statement than a fine," he said.
Like hockey, NASCAR faces the challenge of controlling its competitors without completely eliminating the rough-and-tumble style that helped make it popular. "You want (drivers) to express themselves," said NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter. "But you want to do it in a professional manner."
Hunter noted that Jack Sprague confronted Jimmy Spencer without crossing the line. "It didn't create a big disturbance, so you let that one go," he said.
DWG
As soon as I typed that, I realized I had it backwards. That was one of the most fitting things that I had ever seen happen. RG could have easily let him by, and probably won the race. I remember when they were playing the driver-spotter radio conversations and RG was acting like a prick saying "tell him to get off by bumber and I'll let him by". That was a great move by Stewart, but I could have sworn it was Jeff Gordon. Now that you mention Harvick, I think thats right.
IMHO "little e" is a backwards ballcap-wearing punk with a lot to learn...his old man was killed using "dirty" racing tactics and his (and R. Gordon's) antics should be severly punished! Racing is about driving skills, not about rubber doughnuts.
Little 'e' said that Gordon had blocked him during the race when Gordon was down a lap, and Little 'e' was in the top 10.
I think he said something to the effect of: "No wonder it took him a couple of times to make it into Winston Cup racing, he doesn't know what he is doing out there."
I think I read about it on ESPN.com
As an aside, Earnhardt, Jr did start the fracas and got off pretty easy.
Sounds like R. Gordon started it by blocking a potential race winner when little robby was a lap down. I've seen it in Indy cars and it's B.S. If your not in the running to win the race during the last five to one laps, get the hell out of the way and let the leaders race. Sounds like sour grapes to me.
I have a few problems with the sport and a few suggestions:
1. These wimps take off too many week-ends. They should run 45-46 weeks a year. That would give the lesser drivers and teams a chance.
2. I would like to hear a "pull" once in awhile where a deer would be let out on the raceway to test driver skills.
3. My biggest gripe is when it rains they stop. That is pure bull. Hey idiots, change tires, slow down, but keep racing.
Look; we're how many races into the season & our guys have yet to make it to VC??
Although due to NASCAR's "evening the playing field" (by doing Dearborn's engineering work), they cannot win -- so they settle for beating & banging the HELL outa each other?
Pinheads all.
Then there's prick who noted li'l e's basball cap & all that garbage?
As much as I detest the creep who made the comment, I'd have to agree with the lousy SOB, nonetheless.
Does Jr *think* he's, "in then 'Hood," or what?
I'm well aware the pisswater geeks at Bud are responsible for a certain amount of that image crap, but enough is enough.
Time for the brat (& other BowTie weasels) to cinch those belts tighter & try winning some races!
BTW: Old Ironhead has just got to be spinning in his grave over what his offspring-whelp has morphed into.
He's just gotta be.
Chevrolet & their fans are the biggest suckers through all of this, too; 'cuz *we're* the one's paying the tab.
NASCAR had better dumbyup too; 'lest GM dump 'em altogether.
Which was done before & would not be an unprecisedented move.
Personally?
I'd applaud such a move by the gutless GM wimps, wholeheartedly.
...& if the move were only for a year, at that.
Good one!
The rule changes they made before Daytona regarding the shape of the rear spoiler has hurt the Chevies the most and really helped the Dodge boys, dontcha think?
This is the only event (notice I didn't call this a sport) where the winner can cheat, get a fine and still win.
Well sultan...anything I say would be smeared using plausible deniability by the other guys, eh? {g}
But to hell with what I say; look at the wind tunnel figures yourself.
Then?
Compare the evolution of templates as dictated by the many concessions granted the *winners* and losers.
~Let the chips fall where they may, then.
Ford & Dodge build junk; & if they don't get this kind of, *help*?
The garbage they field isn't competative.
If GM thinks this kind of bullcocka's, "OK?"
So be it.
That's just fine with me; because, I don't have to watch the races -- and won't.
Naturally, GM's fans are by far & away the largest contingent out there by a factor of 10.
So, I don't *think* Fox will find a new, burgeoning trend of fans ceasing to watch their broadcasts *amusing* a'tall.
*Not* very helpful towards Fox's effort(s) at paying-off the $2.5x108 bill they're stuck with??
~And NASCAR, apparently, couldn't care less.
So, why should I, you, or any other Chev fan?
We'll be seeing some of those concessions granted the junk boxes coming back; plus, some of our take-aways being given back before too much longer.
That'd be my guess...
The General's gonna flex its muscles.
btw; did ya hear GM-Pontiac Div announce yesterday they're bringing back the GTO moniker?
Yea; complete with some kind of heavy-duty V8 muscle powerhouse under the ol' bonnet -- presummably a beefed-up LS-1.
GM's taking *big* flak for the elimination of their F-Body Camaros & Firebirds.
At the time of their announcement to discontinue these F-Body cars, GM had promised there'd be, "something better" in the wings to replace 'em.
So, I just wonder what Chev has up its sleeve, eh?
That's a pretty galling argument, alright.
But I gotta say after watching the F1 Grand Prix of Malaysia??
How the governing body of F1 *ignored* their own rules concerning tire wear so that a BMW would wind-up in the winner's circle?
The *politics* of racing is not indicative to only NASCAR.
~Not by a country mile.
Not equivicating here, mind you; just stating a fact.
'Cause Jr. plays a little dirty ?? That's what his old man did, too, so I think he'd be rather proud, not spinning in his grave. Doncha think ??
Why do they complain about traction when they put on bald tires in the first place?
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