Sprint Cup Season Off To A Great Start

February 13, 2007

By Chuck Abrams

Chuck Abrams

What a whirlwind weekend the Cup Series provided us.

First we had a wild practice session that showed us just how fast the closing rate on the new cars are. And just how valuable spotters are going to be next week. Clint Bowyer got a run on Ryan Newman and could not get out of the gas fast enough, sending Newman spinning and collecting Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Bill Elliott and others.

Later, in a separate incident, Tony Stewart got a run on Kurt Busch and went to the outside to pass him. Busch either did not see him or chose to block him causing Stewart to clip the rear of the Blue Deuce sending it into the wall while Stewart brushed with teammate Hamlin down onto the apron.

To further fuel the fire, Kurt Busch then slammed his blue Dodge into the side of Stewart’s car three times as they started down pit road. That action caused the two to be called into the NASCAR trailer where, reportedly, Kurt hurled an insult Stewart’s way and Stewart flung a fist Kurt’s way.

And you thought rivalries in NASCAR were dead.

First of all, I applaud the Stewart-Busch rivalry. It has been heating up over the past few years and I called Kurt Busch out earlier this year to strip away the false veneer he put on after his run in with Johnny Law in Phoenix and don his Bad Boy persona that we all loved to hate. We want back the Kurt Busch that Jimmy Spencer found so appealing. The Busch brothers could wear the mantle so well if they would just embrace it.

I know many wish that NASCAR had sat Kurt Busch for his recklessness and he has a history of using his vehicle as a weapon. Others like to say let the drivers react to each other. I see both sides of it. If Kurt uses his car as a weapon and wrecks another’s car, he should pay the price. Additionally, Kurt has shown horrendous judgment of when to release his temper. Beating and banging on or near pit road where literally hundreds of others who are not protected by a 3400-pound car are working is insane and should be punished. Sitting him for the Bud Shootout would have sent a clear message.

On the other hand, NASCAR has said it will let boys be boys. Unfortunately, we have no idea what that means. Fisticuffs once out of the car? Or allowing them to use the car as a metaphorical fist?

NASCAR grew up with a certain amount of beatin’ and bangin’ and most fans like and appreciate that. But over the past few years, NASCAR officials have frowned upon that and handcuffed the drivers quite a bit. That meant frustrated drivers started venting in other ways and a few choice words and gestures happened to make it on air. Oops. That meant NASCAR had to start reeling in the boys once again and fines and suspensions and double secret probations were implemented to keep the airwaves clean and ensure little Johnny and Susie did not hear things on TV that they heard mom, dad and kids on the bus utter every other day.

And then fans whined, as fans are want to do. No personalities, vanilla racing, blah blah blah. Hey, I have said it too!! We all know that the best government is less government and the same is true in racing. The less time NASCAR has in policing the drivers will mean better rivalries and more fun in racing for the fans.

If NASCAR sets some very, very CLEAR rules in place about just what they are going to tolerate with cars and without, then we will all be happy. No one wants to see any injuries because of an irate driver wielding his car as a club. But a few shoving and yelling matches here and there will not hurt the sport. Brian France is on record as saying they want to get back to their roots. Now we need to see just what he had in mind.

(note: as of Tuesday, NASCAR handed down penalties of a six race suspension for both drivers. And a note that next time you do this under probation, we really mean it—no TV for a week!)

Sports are entertainment and the ultimate in reality TV. You think there is no swearing, hitting, or unsportsmanlike conduct in stick and ball sports? The networks are just fortunate that reporters can not just stick a microphone in a linebackers face 60 seconds after he just got punched in the store. That is what happens in racing. Unlimited access comes at a price and the networks and NASCAR have to step up and be prepared for it.

Likewise, the drivers know they are on a national stage and have to be aware of who is watching. There is a reason Kevin Garnett is not mic’d up during a game. There is also a reason that NASCAR is looked to as a true family sport.

Let me know your thoughts on all this. Bring on the season!

Drive fast, turn left and keep the shiny side up.

Feel free to send Chuck your thoughts on this and other race topics at Insider Racing News. The blog at www.turnleftracing.com is down now due to spammers. We will have that back up as soon as we can.

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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