November 16, 2002

As I was sitting here thinking about the 25 point penalty that was brought against Mark Martin for the spring coil not being of legal standard to the NASCAR code, it took me back to 1990, in which Martin was penalized 46 points for an illegal carburetor spacing in which Dale Sr. won the championship.

I am not sure if Mark Martin, Martin's crew chief Ben Leslie, or the owner of the #6 car Jack Roush, are the only ones at fault. I feel that the NASCAR officials were at fault too.

First at fault would be Jack Roush and Martin's crew chief Ben Leslie, for not measuring the second spring when the first was rejected by the NASCAR officials, but the foremost blame should be lied upon Jack Roush.

Roush being the owner of the #6 car is responsible of making sure Martin's car was in the Legal NASCAR codes and would pass inspections during post race inspections. However, Martin's crew chief Ben Leslie should have measured the second spring instead of assuming it was up to code to be used on the #6 car.

I also think Martin was at fault along with Roush and Leslie. Martin is the driver of the #6 car and should have taken the responsibility of making sure his car was legal with the spring that was replaced.

I also put blame on NASCAR. NASCAR officials should not let a car out of the garage and onto the track if it did not pass pre-race inspections. Mike Helton needs to apply this with the list of duties for NASCAR OFFICIALS, NO CAR LEAVES GARAGE until that car has passed ALL INSPECTIONS.

Question I have been asking myself as many of you are probably asking yourselves, Should Martin have been penalized 25 drivers points?

No, I don't feel that Martin should have been penalized, for the fact that the NASCAR officials did allow the #6 car to leave the garage and did not recheck what the car failed during pre-race inspection.

I know some of you are saying well if Martin gets by with this then so will other drivers. I thought the very same thing until I took the time and thought about what had happened. FACT is Martin's car did not pass pre-race inspection and should have not been allowed to enter the race track area.

As I sit here and think about Martins penalty I have to say that Mike Helton has a lot to think about before the next racing season starts. Which makes me think what rules Helton will be changing throughout the next season as he has done this season?

You can contact Denise at: Insider Racing News