Subject of Cheating Generates Readers and Mail

March 8, 2008

By Brenda Benedict

OK, so I’m not the only one to have strong opinions about whether teams are following the rules of NASCAR. Last week I confessed to being confused by the difference between what is said by the racing community and what is done in and to the cars to give them a ‘competitive edge’. I asked the question, “Is getting a competitive edge actually cheating when what is done must be done out of sight of NASCAR officials and if it is discovered, then fines and penalties are assessed?

I heard from racing fans from all over the country. Many agreed with me but some didn’t.

Those that agreed with me seemed to point their fingers at various aspects of the sport as the cause of cheating. NASCAR itself seemed to bear the brunt of the blame.

NASCAR’s inconsistent application of the rules is seen as a problem by many. Are the rules applied equally to all race teams or are there some teams that are not examined as carefully?

Confusion over the rules leads to not following them, according to one reader. She said, “NASCAR has made the rules and penalties as complicated as the U.S. Tax Code.” The question that comes to mind then, do NASCAR rules then apply equally to the ‘rich and the poor’?

Other fans felt that the causes of the non-conforming cars should be considered. In the case of Robby Gordon’s penalty, one reader said that “When it is not the fault of the team, fines and suspensions should be adjusted accordingly”.

Many readers stated that cheating is everywhere in NASCAR. The crew chiefs are expected to produce fast cars and to do what they have to in order to accomplish that. The crew chief then becomes the lightening rod for punishment. Even if crew chiefs are unaware of infractions, they are the ones to take the punishment.

One reader commented, “To me cheating is just as bad as a liar, if you get caught cheating, you should not be fined points, just make them sit out for a week or two. That will end the cheaters.”

Finding a solution is needed to ensure that NASCAR continues as a genuine sport. I received the comment “NASCAR is not better than the W. W. E.” That perception can be heard in the general community. Bill Wolfe of National Public Radio commented recently that NASCAR is very “junior high” with the feuds between drivers and teams. It is to NASCAR’s benefit to seriously look at these perceptions and address them. Fair rules with consistent application will go a long way to ensuring this credibility.

One reader reminded me to remember NASCAR’s roots. The sport grew out of drivers who were transporting illegal alcohol. The skills learned by drivers who were evading police became the same skills needed to be a great stock car racer. Does this mindset continue today that encourages stepping outside the law because we can?

The last comment I received questioned my political alliance. I can assure you that my purpose in asking these questions is not to advance a personal agenda or belief system. I simply want to ensure that we are seeing a race that gives every team an equal shot to succeed. NASCAR needs to take these comments seriously to maintain credibility and at the same time give us a great race every week.

The thoughts and ideas expressed by this writer or any other writer on Insider Racing News, are not necessarily the views of the staff and/or management of IRN.

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