CNNSI.com - SI Online - B. Duane Cross - Inside NASCAR - B. Duane Cross: Answering fan mail

RE: Fans' e-mail

Everyone has opinion and is happy to expresss it

Posted: Tuesday November 26, 2002 12:26 PM

SI Online - B. Duane Cross - Inside NASCAR

Fans make the NASCAR world go 'round (just ask 'em; enough of the gas-fume fanatics have e-mailed saying just that). Fans also have an opinion or two on the media's opinions (yep, gotten a few of those, too).

As the holiday season beckons, I thought it would be nice to share some of the more heartfelt, thought-provoking submissions from fans.

Chris writes, "I wish more drivers smacked around some journalists, as many of them are morons, and have no business reporting. When someone wrecks his car, or is screwed by NASCAR at the finish, don't go up to him and ask him what 'he is feeling.' Do that, and get smacked. ... Leave NASCAR like it is."

Welcome to Anger Management 101; take the seat next to Tony Stewart. ... We'll address your other conflict -- "screwed by NASCAR at the finish" but nonetheless "leave NASCAR like it is" -- for next semester, when we discuss having your cake and eating it, too, as NASCAR is wanting to do.

Sandy asks, "Do you ever have anything good to say about NASCAR? Why would you think that NASCAR has its head in the sand?"

I'll let e-mailer Peter answer: "I could not agree more for changing the way NASCAR operates. They are taking the excitement of allowing drivers to race to their capabilities. Safety rules, yes, but get on with it and stop sitting on their hands. If a car passes initial inspection, why do they have to go through another under a microscope?"

And then there's this from David: "Give the race car drivers their cars back; get rid of the spoilers and put the soft tires back on. An experienced driver used to mean something; today anybody can aim a car and push the gas!"

It used to be that going to a stock car race meant pulling for a recognized brand; strip the bowties, blue ovals and other medallions off the cars now and fans can't tell the difference between Chevy, Ford, Pontiac or Dodge. ... It's supposed to be the National Associated for Stock Car Auto Racing.

As for something good about NASCAR ... well, umm ... next.

Sandy has another point to make: "As for NASCAR and Joe Gibbs hiring babysitting for Tony Stewart, I think that is ridiculous. The way Tony acts is not Joe Gibbs' responsibility, and it's not NASCAR's responsibility. Tony should learn to play well with others. Maybe instead of going to anger management, he should go back to kindergarten."

Fact is Gibbs did provide security for Stewart down the stretch, but opted not to have the "babysitting," as you succinctly put it, for the season-ending race. And wouldn't you know it, there was another incident between Stewart and a member of the media. It's just something that could have been avoided.

Scott, who submitted a lengthy dissertation on what ails Winston Cup racing, points out, "Probation equals suspension, period. [Kevin] Harvick got a one-race 'penalty' from a Cup race due to an incident in a Truck race. Stewart punches (more than once) a reporter and gets a fine? A one-race penalty for the first offense would have cost him the championship, the second offense should have been an additional three races and he may not have finished in the top 10. Yes, conduct on the track is important, but [penalties] shouldn't cross over between Truck, Busch and Cup. But if you involve the public (reporter or fan) you should pay a heavy price."

Anyone want to disagree on this one? Didn't think so.

Roland also brings up a valid point of discussion: "Another major issue on which NASCAR has its head in the sand was apparent with the Dale Earnhardt Jr. concussion 'confession.' NASCAR responded with a medical test which compares post-injury findings against a base line test taken at the beginning of the season. Drivers should not have to make the choice of missing races or trying to "pass" a test. They should be encouraged to get healthy before getting back in a race car."

Exhibit A: Steve Park. Still want to argue? Exhibit B: Ernie Irvan.

Scott K. has another suggestion for improving safety: "Ban the Bodines from NASCAR; I'm sure you will have plenty of fans agree on that. They get in the way, cause more accidents and whine more than any other drivers, except for maybe Mark Martin and Jeff Burton."

Tim from Saugerties, N.Y., concurs with banning the Bodines, and adds Robby Gordon also should be on the list.

Me? I like the Bodines. Hey, somebody's gotta finish last, right?

Like the media, many fans have their opinions about what will make the sport better. Drivers, points, templates, rules ... it's all there for arguing. NASCAR's take: As long as you're talking, arguing, fighting about the sport, it's all good; any publicity is good publicity.

From Mike, an obviously good-hearted guy: "With the suggestion about a drivers' union, I hope you are not planning on obtaining press credentials for next season. The France bunch is far more likely to have Thanksgiving dinner at Bruton Smith's house than tolerate the idea of an organized group of competitors."

Actually, dinner will be at mom's; she loves me just because -- and never says anything like my next e-mailer:

From Paboman: "If you think NASCAR's head is in the sand because they didn't overturn Mark Martin's penalty or because they don't move the Daytona 500 to another time of the year, you're head is a little higher than the sand. It's about three feet above the sand, right between where your legs end and your hips start (of course, this could only be viewed from the back)."

Happy holidays, y'all ... even you, Paboman. And as for that "something good about NASCAR," I hear Playboy wants a Women of NASCAR with all the Miss Winstons. Maybe the ladies showing their "viewed from the back" will get folks off mine.

B. Duane Cross is a senior producer for CNNSI.com.

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