October 30, 2009
By Rebecca Gladden
One dictionary definition of the word sanitize is, "To make more acceptable by removing unpleasant or offensive features."
The word has been co-opted by lots of people for various purposes, including conservative talk-show host Sean Hannity. He uses the term "Hannitize" to describe what happens when he converts a left-wing radio listener to his right-wing point of view.
I've decided it's time to coin a similar word for the personality-stripping process that NASCAR drivers are seemingly subjected to these days.
In a tip of the hat to NASCAR CEO Brian France, I've named this unfortunate transformation "Franitized."
Fans seem to innately sense that there's something missing in today's NASCAR. They blame the Chase format, other rule changes, the Car of Tomorrow, even the TV coverage.
All those things are probably factors in the problems plaguing NASCAR.
But I've been saying on my website since I launched it in 2005 that "the drivers will always be the backbone of the sport."
And, right now, that backbone could use some strengthening.
The issue is not the drivers themselves. There are still plenty of guys in NASCAR who were once known for their outspokenness - Tony Stewart, Kurt and Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick and others.
The problem is, they've all been Franitized.
Kyle Busch is the latest driver to undergo this mysterious but powerful conversion.
As recently as a few months ago, Busch was the buzz of the NASCAR world, busily crafting his image as racing's newest bad boy, agitating fans with his flippancy. When he won races, he rubbed it in your face by standing on the hood of his car in Victory Lane and counting up his win total on his fingers. When he lost, he displayed his boorish side, blowing past reporters or giving curt (read 'rude') one-word responses to their questions with an obligatory roll of the eyes.
Then, seemingly overnight, Busch was transformed, at least publicly, into a well-mannered guy, cordial with the media and fans alike no matter what the circumstance.
Is this rebranded Kyle Busch - the patient, polite version - a better representative for his team and his corporate sponsors than the petulant punk?
Perhaps.
But, whether you loved him or hated him, it's hard to argue that Busch added life to the sport and gave folks something to talk about each week.
Until he was Franitized, of course.
While I have no concrete evidence that the edict came from France himself to make over Busch and the others, the fact is that Mr. France speaks out of both sides of his mouth when it comes to letting the drivers show the raw emotions that fans long for. France claims to understand this need, but his actions contradict his words each time NASCAR clamps down hard on a driver who says a naughty word, uses an impolite gesture, trades paint a little too roughly, or has a bit of a pit road confrontation.
What France, the team owners, and the sponsors need to understand is this: NASCAR is suffering a death of a thousand cuts each time another racer is forced to convert from full-of-fight to Driver Lite.
It's time to stop the bleeding.
NASCAR, give us back our drivers.
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