Is It the Best of Times or The Worst of Times?

By Orlena Miller

August 29, 2002

It was the best of times; it was the worst of times,
It was the age of wisdom; it was the age of foolishness.
Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

Mr. Dickens’ words could easily be describing NASCAR in 2002 instead of eighteenth century Europe. I am very worried about my beloved NASCAR. I’ve been a fan for a long time and I’ve seen a lot over the years. However, some of the happenings this season have me more than a bit alarmed. NASCAR is in transition and I’m not sure I like the direction it’s taking

Being a veteran fan, I’m used to the “Daytona Gang’s” machinations but this year these have gotten out of hand. Their most recent idiocy is 13-gallon fuel cells at Talladega. This is obviously another attempt to further control competition, like their incessant rule changes. Every time a front air dam is extended or a spoiler angle is changed it completely negates thousands of dollars spent on testing and all the data collected is rendered worthless. If NASCAR insists on vacillating constantly they should change the testing rules and allow teams unlimited test sessions. Of course, the gang’s meddling is always done in the name of “parity.” The American Heritage Dictionary defines parity as “functional equivalence.” This sounds a lot like IROC to me. When was the last time an IROC race drew a crowd of 147,000?

And is there any doubt NASCAR sold their soul to the devil with the present broadcast package? Television is obviously a deciding factor in many, if not most, of their rulings. For example, many questioned why Tony Stewart received a slap on the wrist for his indiscretion when Kevin Harvick was parked for his. Lord knows neither driver is a choirboy, both have a long history of being “passionate” about racing. The answer is simple; Kevin’s peccadillo was televised while Stewart’s was not. I suppose Tony’s actions were not as “detrimental to the sport of stock car racing” as Harvick’s because there were fewer witnesses.

This year’s “sickening season” has also been disturbing. Silly implies innocence and fun; this fiasco has been neither. The ridiculous spectacle we have witnessed in the past weeks has been an embarrassment to the sport. Why don’t they just play musical cars? The children’s game would make as much sense and be as newsworthy as the dog and pony show we’ve seen recently. Reading what passes for news online one would think the only driver that is secure in his job drives the pace car. Not even Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been spared. Dale casually mentioned during an interview that his contract with DEI remained unsigned. The following day there were at least five stories that speculated DEJ was leaving DEI; it just doesn’t get any sillier.

We have become a society of peeping toms and unfortunately NASCAR is no different. In the wake of three on-track deaths in less than a year the eyes of the world focused squarely on NASCAR. After this year’s Daytona 500 and the first anniversary of Dale Earnhardt’s death it seemed things were going to return to normal. Then a newly blond Brooke Gordon told the world that her husband, Winston Cup champ Jeff, had committed marital misconduct. Since nothing sells like a scandal with a hint of sex NASCAR instantly became tabloid fodder. Until a gag order was handed down the public was privy to every dirty detail found in court documents. Reporters covering motorsports have become more and more paparazzi-like. Knowing the intimate details of the competitor’s lives is not requisite to enjoying a sport. NASCAR prides itself on being a family sport. In my family we keep the dirty laundry in the hamper where it belongs.

The role of the sponsor has been changing in all forms of motorsports, including NASCAR. With costs escalating quickly, sponsors are taking a more active part in team operations. Last season Valvoline became co-owners of the #10 team when they lost the bidding war for the #6 car to Pfizer. Home Depot took the unprecedented move of fining Tony Stewart and placing him on probation after his most recent outburst. Sponsors have also been caught up in silly season madness. M&M’s abandoned the #36 team to go with Sadler and Yates. This leaves Ken Schrader and MB2 without backing, which company will come to their rescue? And no one knows which team will carry the Havoline colors next year. The rumor mill has linked them with almost as many teams as it did Ricky Rudd. As the cost of primary sponsorship for a NASCAR Winston Cup team continues to rise, the role of sponsors will continue to evolve. Will we see a wholly sponsor owned team soon? Don’t be surprised, it’s entirely possible.

Are we living in the worst of times for NASCAR? Presently there is plenty to upset an old-fashioned fan like myself. This is the curse of being able to remember the good old days. However, there are times when I’m reminded that my beloved NASCAR hasn’t traveled too far from its rugged past. Saturday night’s slugfest at Bristol was just such a reminder. That race was definitely the best of times and I have to believe there are many more to come.

TO THE WOODSHED: There are several naughty boys headed out back after Saturday. In no particular order, here they are:

Robby Gordon - Someone tell me please, what is the record number of wrecks one driver has been involved in during a single event? Robby, were you going for the record Saturday night? And saying, “I made a mistake” won’t kill you, I promise.

Elliott Sadler - Elliott, Elliott, Elliott what would your mama think? Saturday night you looked like something the cat drug into the house. Did you forget to pack your razor? AND you get a few extra minutes in the woodshed for trying to punch out a poor defenseless ambulance, shame on you.

Ward Burton - Ward, what gives with that stupid comment about wanting something to shoot through the window of the #8 car? Your on-track tantrum was ill advised enough but you rushed headlong into stupidity with that comment. Are you looking to replace Charlton Heston at the NRA? I am disappointed.

You can contact Orlena at: Insider Racing News

You can read other articles from Orlena Miller..

NASCAR: How It All Began!

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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. Although we may not always agree with what is said, we do feel it's our duty to give a voice to those who have something relevant to say about the sport of auto racing.

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