If I read this thread correctly, and I think I do... NASCAR is getting everything they want out of these debacle races, media coverage (for one) and people on the Internet squawking about them. They don't give a tinker's damn if they get good publicity or bad publicity. To these animals in Daytonner Beach, publicity is publicity plain and simple. And, these are the people who want to control a monopoly over all of racing in North America? BHW
"Bowyer had an itch that needed scratching". I was referencing previous shenanigans when Bowyer inexplicably spun out at Richmond and likening Kenseths "suspension failure" to it. There is far more hard contact in F1 because drivers no they can lie "I didn't see him" and get away with it. In NASCAR, these sorts of things are very rare, especially with 43 cars and a race every week almost all year. Its largely due to the ability to self police. Certain instances may cross safety barriers, but Martinsville probably isn't one of them.(Michigan, Atlanta, bad choices for payback, Back stetch of Phoenix(no stands), safer places for payback.) Last years Coca Cola 600 had cars multiple laps down, maybe less than 10 on the lead lap, long run, not a single incident until a mystery debris caution. F1 drivers can't even make it past the first corner without DNF's from contact every week.
Two race suspension, 6 month probation for Kenseth. NASCAR penalizes Kenseth, Patrick after Martinsville | NASCAR.com Danica got a penalty too but really, who cares.
I figured it would be the rest of the year (to prevent it messing with the Chase even further), but I believe this is the strongest penalty handed out to a driver other than some substance abuse violations.
Hopefully, Gibbs will let Erik Jones fill Matt's seat in Texas and Phoenix! I've been a big fan of Erik, after watching him lead wire-to-wire at Florida's second most important Late Model race, the Governor's Cup 200 in New Smyrna as a 15-year-old! He caught Kyle Busch's attention by bumping him out of the way to win the annual Snowball Derby in Pensacola. Like they say, the rest is history!
I like Erik but I think he needs to focus on wrapping up the truck championship. Cup races (and media circus) would be a big distraction.
I think a true penalty should also exclude the car from competing. Not just the driver. And why is Danica getting of more lightly? What is the real difference? Intent was the same but she just sucks so she ended up taking herself out only.
The difference - is that driver's are briefed that touching a chase driver when not a chase driver is a no no.
Honest question. Is NASCAR scripted? It feels like "wrestle mania" to me, even in the choice of words by the announcers. I seriously expect to see Mean Gene Okerlund at the podium.
I think it would be impossible to truly script any form of racing (too many variables, too many things to break, etc) but NASCAR is very heavily "managed"...timing of cautions, giving certain drivers preferential treatment in rulings, giving certain cars a pass in inspection to give them an upper hand, and so forth...NASCAR does a lot to make it more likely that they will get the result they want. Add in the idiotic and effusive tone of the announcers, and the way NASCAR loves to market themselves, and yes it has taken on a WrestleMania vibe. Which is a shame, as stock cars on a short oval is IMO one of the most naturally entertaining forms of motorsport in the world. All they're doing is diluting their brand.
NASCAR is absolutely scripted and has been for many years now. They crossed this line when they decided not to be a "sport" and become a "show" with the influence of live television as far back as the 80s. The arcane points scoring system, this "Chase" thing which has devolved into little more than a ludicrous exhibition of favoritism all tightly controlled from a locked booth high above each track by NASCAR officials. All that is needed to know is, since NASCAR does not allow telemetry, what is that 900mhz antenna doing on each of the cars? Since the driver to pit communications are done on any frequency that anyone may listen to, who is talking on those split frequency channels? The whole thing is such a farce now that it's beyond belief. Pity. BHW
If it were scripted they would have called the second restart at Degga "not an attempt" as well 'cause there is no doubt NASCAR wanted Dale Jr to win so he could move into the next round. As far a severity of penalties don't forget how NASCAR had Kurt Bust convicted of abuse just on the bases of some gold digger's accusations. They declared him guilty before depositions were even taken as I recall. Never the less, NASCAR remains the most exciting form of racing, side by side trains, 2, 3 wide into turns, high speeds, bump and run, legal blocking, passing, yea, passing!. You don't see that in many other forms of racing, oval or road courses. If you want to talk about a show, F1.
Junior wins Phoenix! Chase Grid is set: Gordon (1 win) Harvick (3 wins) Kyle Busch (4 wins) Truex (1 win) missing the final round of the chase: Logano (6 wins) Johnson (5 wins) Kenseth (5 wins) so much for winning being the most important thing...
Exactly. DJ has also won more than one race this season but he is not in the chase, what the heck is up with that? The new points system is a joke and should be trashed asap.
Used to go to the World of Outlaws at Lebanon Valley NY every year. Where you turn right to go left. NASCAR really screwed things up by not postponing Phoenix until Monday. They had to know by looking at the radar that they would not be able to get even the shortened race in. I'm not a Lagano fan, even though he grew up 15 miles from me, but he really got screwed when they called the race. NASCAR isn't what it used to be, when win on Sunday, sell on Monday meant something, when race cars has chrome bumpers..... Still, for the major series around, the chance of seeing a good show is still highest with NASCAR. But remember when NASCAR used to be about who ever cheated best and got away with it? And look at what has happened to Indy Car. Remember when the Indy 500 has the hot bed of innovation? Now it's which cookie cutter car happens to cross the finish line first.
Don't worry I can't figure it out either, but no sweat they will change it again next year. Next they will have a "push to pass button" oh ....... They already have it, it is mounted in their front bumper
