Wednesday, February 13, 2008

NASCAR not simply lying to the media - but lying to the fans

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A guy gets a job in a sawmill.

“You have to cut 12 cords of wood a day to meet your quota,” his supervisor says.
But at the end of the first day, though, he’s only cut six.

“What’s the problem?” the supervisor asks.

“I don’t know, I can’t figure it out,” the guy says.

“Maybe something is wrong with your saw,” the supervisor says. “Let me look at it.” He pulls the starter cord and the power saw fires up.

“What’s that sound?” the guy asks.

That’s a joke I heard in the garage Sunday morning.

Tuesday afternoon, NASCAR told another joke. The saw joke was lots funnier.

What did NASCAR do by putting Kurt Busch and Tony Stewart on 6-race probations for their actions after Friday night’s on-track incident in Budwesier Shootout practice?

Nothing. Well, nothing except lie to its fans.

Think “lie” is too strong of a word?

NASCAR said the sanctions handed down Tuesday were not for what happened in the hauler when Busch and Stewart were summoned there.

Then what was Stewart sanctioned for? Busch was the one who used his car to ram Stewart’s as they came toward pit road. Stewart didn’t do anything with his car that warranted a penalty, not that I saw.

So, via the media, fans are being told one thing when another thing is obviously true. If “lie” isn’t the right word for that, pick a better one.

What’s sad is that some fans love it when NASCAR stiffs the media. That’s sad, because when NASCAR talks to the media what it’s really doing is talking to the fans.

Reporters aren’t here because we just like to be around each other for two weeks in February.

We’re here because fans care and they want to know what’s going on. You don’t have to like the media, and we don’t always do our jobs perfectly, but we’re pretty much all you’ve got when it comes to fining out what’s really going on.

So on Tuesday, NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter said NASCAR is “going to redefine what probation means.” Then he said the drivers “clearly understand” the new definition, but also said “they understand what might happen, without getting into nailing down for you guys what we will do if that happens.”

What you need to understand about that is that when Hunter says “you guys,” he might have been referring to the media but actually he was talking to the fans.

NASCAR knows what “probation” means and it says the drivers know what it means. But you’re not entitled to know. You don’t need to know, but if we think of something we feel like telling you, we will let you know.

Again, they may be talking at the media when they say that, but it’s you – the fans – they’re talking to.

How funny is that?

106 comments:

Anonymous said...

Kurt should get a medal for standing up to that bully Stewart. Every one else is too cowardly to call him out on his behavior.
And any time you want to trade jobs with me DP, just give me a call. It was 15 below zero yesterday morning, and last night we got 8 inches of snow.

Anonymous said...

Great way to look at it Mr. Poole.

I hope you stay around this sport for a long, long time.

Anonymous said...

I beg to differ, Robbie Gordon stood up to him at Daytona a few years ago, you could see the fear in Stewarts face before the crew got between them..R.D. Hunts.AL

Anonymous said...

stewarts a bum just like dale sr was.nascar lets some drivers get away with anything while some cant do anything without being in trouble.nascar has killed a great sport letting hendrick cheat and lie.in home arrest what a bum remember carma babye.wwf.nascar/hendrick&toyotacom.com

Anonymous said...

"Then what was Stewart sanctioned for? Busch was the one who used his car to ram Stewart’s as they came toward pit road. Stewart didn’t do anything with his car that warranted a penalty, not that I saw." - David Poole

LOL - Stewart haters here miss the point, per usual. Get a grip.

Anonymous said...

DAVID, Nothing personal, but the news media might be held in higher regard if it had more credibility- and did not frequently twist the "facts" to make news. There are some in the media, especially the print media, who are more interested in their persoanl agendas and/or in selling newspapers than in accurate reporting. Also, I do happen to feel that you are a better writer and reporter than most of the print media, most of the time.

Monkeesfan said...

Typical of NASCAR - incapable of actually punishing someone. It's part of why there's no trust of NASCAR's leadership anymore - they refuse to actually take a stand.

Anonymous said...

all sports cheat.i wish some reporter would stop brown noseing and call nascar out.one tryed last year and they ran him out.

Anonymous said...

Here we go again NASCAR is killing this sport with so being so politically correct. Let them race! Tony was right NASCAR has as much creditablity as pro wrestling!!!

Anonymous said...

boycott nascar ive ben a fan since 73 and in the past couple of years ive ben trashing it becouse of all the lieing and cheating and nascar standing by only to punish those who they dont like and letting those cheat who they like.the drivers are becoming big babys.we need a new league.

Anonymous said...

remember nascar dictates who will win.so pick a chevy or toyota driver if you want to injoy this fixed sport.get rid of daytona&talladega bring back the rock.

Anonymous said...

I think NASCAR has done what they feel is the right thing, and for everyone to critize them without knowing all the facts is crazy. NASCAR has always tried to handle conflicts internally, and if Tony did hit Kurt than 1 he probably deserved it and 2 they will deal with it as they see fit. You basicly have two choices 1 support another sanctioning body (IRL CART etc) or 2 shut up and enjoy the best racing in the world.

Anonymous said...

Interesting spin here, I mean we are fans and we pay to come to races yet NASCAR say: if we the paying fans need to know something then NASCAR will tell us. NASCAR will do what NASCAR thinks it needs to do but in many cases such as what happen last Friday night, the embarrassment of both drivers should be shown through this "term" Probation---plain and simple, no lying and no talking out of the side of there mouths.

Anonymous said...

you meen the best fixed racing ever.also a vote for obama is a vote for osama.

Anonymous said...

I agree 100% with you. NASCAR is very coy and not always truthful in their dealings with media. The media is an extension of us fans and we deserve better from NASCAR.

On the other side of the coin, if a driver is rude and being idiots (are you listening Tony?) to the media, they are being rude and idiots to the fans too.

Thank you David for calling them out on this. The TV media is very careful on negative comments about NASCAR and we need people like you.

Anonymous said...

That is why nascot is losing popularity..GOOD.They are making the rules or should I say making up the rules as they go.I support the drivers leaving nascot and starting their own league.Racing will be racing once again...no plates..no COT..run what u brung...SPEED is racing

Anonymous said...

Great point David, just what I have been asking - if this was an on track issue; what did Tony do. Of course, Tony haters are laughing as usual but nascar still has not really told the truth as you said. Kurt Busch did the beating and banging with his car so why are both on probation.

racejunkie said...

if drivers end up on probation for the same sort of thing that Tony did...then half the field will be on probation at the end of 10 races. I don't see how door slamming a guy 3 times falls into the same catagory. But then again....I'm a mere fan

Anonymous said...

NASCAR has always been heavy handed. I recall seeing a letter about drivers wanting to boycott the race at Talledega out of safety concerns. My recollection of NASCAR's exact response is fuzzy but the internal response was that if a driver didn't show, they would regret it.

Anonymous said...

This is my biggest problem with NASCAR. They are a dictatorship in that they control how the cars are built. How the cars are run. What is told to the fans. and when everybody connected to the sport can go to the bathroom.

Monkeesfan said...

fly a kite, was this the 1969 Talladega controversy or the one concocted by the Stock Car Reporters website in 2001?

Anonymous said...

I hate to see NASCAR fans portrayed as uneducated and poorly behaved. Out of the comments listed above, only two were without grammatical errors. Is it possible that the members of the media have us portrayed correctly?

Monkeesfan said...

I read Lee Spencer's piece about NASCAR's "probation" and all the quotes about "drivers' emotions" and how NASCAR had stifled personality out of the drivers and thus ruined ability to foster rivalries, etc.

It was revolting.

Fans tune in because Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch could bash each other's brains in and take some other drivers with them? Whatever happened to making these guys take responsibility for their own attitudes and making them act as professionals?

Anonymous said...

You missed the larger joke Poole:

If was just a few short posts ago you were pilloried, metaphorically lunched by 99% of those commenting.

Seems they all thought you were in Brian France's pocket with a direct line to a Cayman's bank that had mysterious, and LARGE, deposits from Daytona entered on a regular basis.

Now... not so much belief in that.

Funny, and sad, how that works.

Kevin Bryan said...

What happened last weekend reminds me of some parents I've seen- their kids act like idiots and the adults pretend to be tough on discipline by counting to three. NASCAR should have learned by now that trying to suppress information from the media makes the problems they are trying to solve even worse. The good news- despite the ugliness of the Busch/Stewart spat, the Shootout was phenomenally exciting. I can only hope that the season will be as much fun to watch.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said: "I hate to see NASCAR fans portrayed as uneducated and poorly behaved. Out of the comments listed above, only two were without grammatical errors. Is it possible that the members of the media have us portrayed correctly?"

Why did you use the name anonymous instead of a real name? And who made you our English teacher? When people post on a blog, they are not worried about spelling or punctuation. We are not in school and don't need our papers graded.

I hope NASCAR continues to police drivers the way they did in this incident.

IMABIGDAWG said...

I'm not sure how we can get on NACSAR for being too heavy handed thus diminishing the ability of the drivers to allow their personalities to show, while at the same time berating them for how they have chosen to handle this situation.

Anonymous said...

Im not a Stewart or Busch fan... But from what we saw on tv... Stewart didn't so anything wrong. The initial accident was POSSIBLY avoidable. Stewart could have lifted, Busch could have looked in his mirror. The "accident" afterwards was DEFFINATLY avoidable. Busch was acting like an idiot. There were 3 members of Stewarts crew around his car and Busch was driving like he didn't care. It's very sad to say this, but it's going to take a crew member getting seriously injured or killed for NASCAR to take proper action against the driver.

If Busch had got out of the car and went after him man to man... Odds are no one else would have been at risk, aside from a stray punch that lands on the wrong body.

Yes, Stewart is a hot head... But he is guilty of nothing here. You cant hold his past history against him in this situation.

Nascar bobbled... AGAIN!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like NASCAR “going to redefine what probation means.” is like the Government Schools redefining what a passing grade is.
More failing test scores, demands lowered expectations for all. Wouldn't want to hurt anybody's feeeeelings!

Anonymous said...

Typical Nascar judgement! Poor to say the least! When Jim Hunter was speaking at the hauler, he talked for two minutes and didn't say one thing. Talk about talking out of both sides of your mouth! I've been a fan of Nascar since 1962, and I've just about had a belly full of Nascar. I watch maybe 10% of Nascar racing, throughout the year. It's all I can take!!

Anonymous said...

Good job David, I'm glad to see somebody is willing to speak the truth.

When word got out that Tony supposedly hit Kurt I didn't believe it. Not because he isn't capable, but because if he did, I figured no way NASCAR would be letting him run the Shootout.

Then when NASCAR put him on probation for what happened on the track, I knew it must be true. No way they would have done that since he didn't do anything except get run into a few times.

I'm constantly amazed that NASCAR will so boldly lie to us and expect us to believe them.

Thanks for being an honest enough reporter to report the truth, and not just what NASCAR wants us to think.

Anonymous said...

I agree with you 100%.Iam certainly not a Tony Stewart fan,but he did nothing wrong on the track,Kurt needs to control himself before he hurts someone.He deserved alot more than probation.Even if Tony did hit him in the hauler,he probally deserved it, because obviously NASCAR did'nt do much to him.

Buzzard said...

"Monkeesfan said...

Typical of NASCAR - incapable of actually punishing someone."

Ask Kevin Harvick if Nascar is cabable of punnishing a driver. Come on, he is made to miss a race for TALKING about spinning someone., while TS did a lot worse that year to others before and after the fact and is awarded a championship?

Anonymous said...

Kurt Busch is a pussy!

Anonymous said...

buzzard - "Ask Kevin Harvick if Nascar is cabable of punnishing a driver. Come on, he is made to miss a race for TALKING about spinning someone."

Is that a reference to the 2002 incident? IF so you're out to lunch, he did way more than "talk about it."]

If you refer to another incident please explain.

Anonymous said...

" But you’re not entitled to know. You don’t need to know, but if we think of something we feel like telling you, we will let you know."


Im confused. Can nascar and thatsracing.com have the same mission statement?

Anonymous said...

I dont think Poole has "called Nascar out" nor do I think he ever has. He brought out a few good points, to which he deserves some credit. My request would be to ask, very bluntly, to one of the high end Nascar figures that appear on the morning drive, Helton, Pemberton, etc., exactly what does "redefine probation mean"? And when they provide thier usual around the world answer, make them provide details. Problem with the media is, they ask weak questions and then settle for even weaker answers. I am still waiting for the day when any of the nascar rah rah teams on sirius radio ask a nascar employee anything other than "how great is the season going to be this yr". Cant blame all that on the media though. We,as fans, have come to accept answers that mean nothing from politicians, doctors, and now even nascar....guess by accepting we have stamped our approval on the current nascar media.

Anonymous said...

I've found that it is best that I not worry about these incidents. Rather, I enjoy the confrontation and hope that no one gets hurt. I don't worry about what NASCAR is going to do next or what happened yesterday. I am not a big fan of either driver but at times like these, wonder if the sport would be boring without them.

Don't get me wrong. I was worried that what Busch did in retaliation was going to get someone hurt or even worse...but would have enjoyed seeing garage exploits with anticipation.

Kirby in Houston

Anonymous said...

Monkeesfan ...

It was the 1969 race

Anonymous said...

anon (do any of you have a name?) - "I dont think Poole has "called Nascar out" nor do I think he ever has. He brought out a few good points, to which he deserves some credit."

Calling very pointedly NASCAR a liar isn't calling someone out? IT isn't taking them to task?

Ok, whatever.

Anonymous said...

If Stewart did hit Busch and NASCAR is covering it up... It makes me wonder what else they have and could be covering up? Were some teams really soaking tires in the 90's. Im a RCR fan, but was RCR really bleeding their tires in 2006? Do they let Hendrick cheat? What was really wrong w the #5 car after the shootout? I dont know. I'm the type of fan that wants and tries to believe everything the powers above us say... But with the way all of this has shaken out. It's odvious they're lieing. Really makes u wonder.

Anonymous said...

nonymous said...
Kurt Busch is a pussy!

2/13/2008 5:17 PM

All I have to say is :It takes one to know one" Clamface

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a fair deal to me .Stewart is nothing more than a trouble maker.He gets by with alot like Dale Jr who is way over rated

Anonymous said...

nonymous said...
Kurt Busch is a pussy!

2/13/2008 5:17 PM

All I can say is "It takes one to know one" Clamface

Anonymous said...

I am at awe with the flamboyant thing I just read...

NASCAR is lying to the reporters? and the fans? Gimme a break David we all know it "ALL" never comes out..


NASCAR did right finally, in case you dont understand a man such as Jim Hunter, his comment was real clear to the parties and other drivers.. 6 weeks to behave or sit.. Not rocket science here...

It amazes me in this that you sit on Tradin Paint, and want Kurt sat, you blog about it once ,now 2 times.. You have covered this a long time David and seem to think Tonys antics are okay..

Not trashing Tony at all, he is TONY...

Finally NASCAR grew a pair and did a fair punishment.


Finally I have to ask Marc:

" MArc said...
anon (do any of you have a name?) - "I dont think Poole has "called Nascar out" nor do I think he ever has. He brought out a few good points, to which he deserves some credit."

Calling very pointedly NASCAR a liar isn't calling someone out? IT isn't taking them to task?

Ok, whatever.

2/13/2008 6:00 PM"

Are you related to him (David)? It appears that way. There are 2 sides in the garage

1- The media
2- The teams

So if you know all the inner workings you shouldnt need to defend David every time he is disagreed with..

Hell alot of the NASCAR "things" are not reported or incorrectly reported by the media.

(waiting for a retort or a slam)

Anonymous said...

David,

Instead of wasting space on what we already know, and expected of NASCAR regarding Kurt and Tony, why don't you share with us what is going on with the Hendrick engines? Five engines with problems?

Unless my eyes failed me, I saw you wearing a yellow shirt trying to get an interview today, right after Speed got theirs on the issue. So, where is the story?

I agree that the media slants things, and in this case David, you slanted away from the true racing story and into old news!

Monkeesfan said...

fly a kite - okay.

On that 1969 Talladega race - drivers had recently formed the Professional Drivers Association to confront NASCAR about pension plans, improving the physical plants of racetracks, etc. They made their name when they quit the Talladega race that September after severe tire wear and A-arm breakage - "I broke two A-arms, and these are brand-new parts," Charlie Glotzbach said - sent Firestone quitting that race. Big Bill France, who'd scheduled a Grand American race for that weekend, had the GA drivers stay behind and ran the Talladega 500 with GA drivers and a few Winston Cuppers.

NASCAR "made them regret it" by putting into entry blanks that the sanctioning body could seize racecars and put whoever they wanted to in them, as a safeguard against a future boycott. Fans also booed boycotting drivers the rest of that 1969 season with more than a few incidents of bottles thrown onto tracks in front of name drivers involved in the boycott.

Anonymous said...

Kuet2 - "Are you related to him (David)? It appears that way. There are 2 sides in the garage"

Looking for a retort or slam? Ok, you got it.

That was an idiotic statement apparently born of a response to another idiotic statement claiming Poole is "on NASCAR's side" on this issue.

If I were defending or condemning anything beyond what was asserted here, yes I would need to know the "inner workings" of both teams and the media.

I wasn't and won't, but that was a nice try at diverting attention by tossing out a Strawman as a basis of argument.

I'll give you that much.

Anonymous said...

Why does Poole still cover this sport if he hates it so much? He's always griping about something. Now because NASCAR doesn't share its secrets with the almighty David, he throws a hissy fit. David does this under the guise of caring about the fans, when he's just ticked that NASCAR is somehow mistreating the media. Hey Poole, it's just guys driving around in circles. Relax, enjoy the gig, soak in the 50th running, breathe in, breathe out, hang out with your friends at the track, and give us some even tempered insight, then relax for a few days and head to California. It ain't life or death and calling people liars is nonsense. NASCAR ticks us off every once in awhile, for sure, but it's still the best sport going, and France, Helton, Pemberton, Darby, Hunter, and the rest of them do a pretty danged good job.

Anonymous said...

David, go with what annon. just said. RELAX! You take this sport and your job much too seriously.

Now move your blog out of the lead headline and put some important news up there! Tony and Kurt will be doing the same thing next year, and you will still be complaining about it next year. So, why is it the lead on the web page? Advertising dollars per clicks!

As annon. said, this is the 50th running and heck had Tony and Kurt behaved this way for the 1st running of the Daytona 500, Bill, Sr. would have been happy as a clam!

Besides, didn't you ever tell a lie? Oh, come on!
At least a couple of times? Give it a break and don't act like you are protecting the fans.

Lightin' Up David! It's just racing and not a war in Iraq or something!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous # 4 calling Dale Sr. a Bum! He stuck up for more drivers than anyone in NASCAR.Right or Wrong he got NASCAR's attention.He told it like it was and if you didn't agree,that's your problem,but the man still stuck up for the drivers and alot of them got to race because Dale paid for it out of his own pocket.If he were still alive things would run smoother and the stands would probably be full.By the way ,if Stewart and Sr. are Bums,what's Kurt Busch ?

Anonymous said...

If NASCAR was giving penalties for on track then Kurt Busch should have been the only one "penalized". I for one e-mailed Home Depot and told them what I think of NASCAR. It has gotten to the point that I don't watch too many of the races and check the results out on internet. In fact, I don't plan to watch the Daytona 500 because they probably already have the driver picked out to win the race.

Anonymous said...

Announ. regarding your defense of Dale, Sr.. . .
Very admirable, but not worth wasting your time on annon #4's rant. You know darn well Dale never needed defending. Those of us who know the history of Dale Earnhardt know what a kind and compassionate person he was. Dale was one of a kind, and not a bully at all. Dale was a true racer and helped make what this sport what it is today! I bet there is another Daytona 500 running up in heaven this Sunday! Bill, Sr. is running the show with Bill, Jr. Can you imagine the starting line up? Bet Dale has the pole, don't you? Go 3!

Hey, you have to admit the above is just as interesting as David's rant and acting like he is protecting the fans!

Anonymous said...

You are the ONLY reporter/writer I have heard call a SPADE a SPADE

Anonymous said...

I know the history of Dale Sr.He was a very unselfish person and gave just as mush outside the track as inside.He had a huge heart that most would not think of a man like him on the track could have such a big heart off the track.I'm just guessing NASCAR would have listened to Sr.'s side of the story even though he wasn't involved.The Man had alot of Power.

Anonymous said...

blah,blah,blah you people on this blog have the nerves to call nascar drivers whiners,read your own words,thats more whining than all the nascar drivers combined. Poole makes great points and any low life that has to talk bad about the dead(dale sr) don't deserve a computer to type on. No one knows the whole story but those involved and until then,stop the whining and watch the dang races already. If you do not like them then watch something else like wwe where you will fit in with the rest of the hot air bags.

Anonymous said...

Good for Tony,someone needs to knock that big sissy Bush down a notch. Hope he takes shrub out next.

Anonymous said...

Nascar's lack of transparency in rules and enforcement will lead to their demise. The make up the rules as the go --just like Vince McMahon. It is a shame but I hope one day they are sophisticated enough to realize that making up rules as you go will not work forever.--Professor Due Process

Anonymous said...

great article mr poole , my self i have just about had enough nascar is getting to be a joke more then professionel wrestling!
these penalties probation etc is a joke !! one of the anonymous said tony is a bully the only bully i see is nascar !!

Anonymous said...

Another reporter taking up for that a$$ Stewart.

Michael said...

NASCAR is America's sports mafia. They control what's seen, they control what's sold, they control what sponsors are on the hood and what tires are on the cars, what drinks are served in the stands. Don't be shocked that they squelch every story that might cast them or their sport in a bad light. We NEVER learn what sort of drugs are involved when a driver is banned for failing drug tests. (If you doubt this, why did Tim Richmond last so long under the radar?) Don't imagine we'll ever know too much about Ray Evernham and his daliance with Ms. Crocker either. If it's the least bit unsavory, NASCAR sits on it until it's dead. Mr. Poole, you're right on the money - NASCAR lies when it suits them, or they simply don't tell the whole story, which is a rich guy's way of lying.

Anonymous said...

looks like spencer gave tony his punching bag for valentines day...

Anonymous said...

Michael - "NASCAR is America's sports mafia. They control what's seen, they control what's sold, they control what sponsors are on the hood and what tires are on the cars, what drinks are served in the stands."

And this is different in other sports? How so?

Lets compare.. NFL: Dictates what type of shoes a coach wears on the sidelines. They mandate players and team officials wear suit and tie when traveling to and from an away game.

Dictate the type of endzone celebrations can be displayed.

Dictate via NFL Properties Licensing who, what and when certain items can and will be sold.

The very same can be said, or variations of them, of the MLB and NHL.

And so, your point is again?

Anonymous said...

I think most of you are missing the fact that Stewart put Busch in the wall before Busch hit him. I think he should have put Stewart in the wall.Stewart is one of those that says do as I say not as I do. How about Daytona when Stewart ran all the way to the grass to run Matof the track and wrecked him and Nascar did nothing to him.

lady6nascar@aol.com said...

the old poops are just liars. they have took this sport down. they have lost their way. and will keep going wrong.

Anonymous said...

anon - "I think most of you are missing the fact that Stewart put Busch in the wall before Busch hit him. I think he should have put Stewart in the wall."

You mean to say someone has a selective memory around here? I'm shocked! Shocked I tell ya!

Guess they never looked at the tape.

Or worse don't care to 'cause it would ruin a good rant.

Monkeesfan said...

marc, I think michael's point is that NASCAR dictates into areas it really has no business dictating and should not be squelching stories that portray the sport or the sanctioning body in a negative light. It needs to be more honest about itself and needs to allow a much greater diversity of ideologies and viewpoints, some fresher ideas, than it generally has.

anonymous #49, maybe #4 had a point calling Senior a bum - he didn't speak up for anyone but himself and was among the more two-faced drivers in the garage area, famous for calling other drivers "candy asses" if there was controversy about speeds yet once admitting "I was nervous as hell during those tests" because of the speeds involved.

Anonymous said...

monkeesfan - "marc, I think michael's point is that NASCAR dictates into areas it really has no business dictating and should not be squelching stories that portray the sport or the sanctioning body in a negative light."

I was wondering when you would step into it.

So, you mean to say you support NASCAR telling the world what and how much drugs someone has used when caught?

This despite the fact it's private info between NASCAR, the testing facility and the miscreant. As such anyone willfully releasing the info is subject to visiting his/her lawyer.

Same goes for the Tim Richmond thing

Guess you also support the airing of Crocker/Evernham dirty laundry in public.

Something that the public at large has no business knowing.

Why am I not surprised you're on the wrong side of the issue

Anonymous said...

BTW, Simianfan... still holding onto your disingenuous position that nothing, I repeat nothing outside of NASCAR effects it.

That NASCAR's problems with empty seats are all NASCAR's fault and no other factor enters into it.

Or have you ignored all the news wires stories of the last few days by race team owners saying the economy is in FACT hurting NASCAR and their teams.

Anonymous said...

I DON'T LIKE EITHER ONE OF THEM. BUT AT LEAST TONY DIDN'T ALLMOST RUN OVER AN INNOCENT PIT CREWMAN!........BUT MAYBE THAT'S WHAT HE GETS FOR CLAIMING THAT HE'S A CHEVY MAN. HE'S CLEARLY NOT , OR TONY WOULD GET A RIDE DRIVING A CHEVY. HE SURE DIDN'T MAKE A STINK, WHEN JOE GIBBS TOOK THE MONEY TO BACK THE JAPS!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

anon - "HE SURE DIDN'T MAKE A STINK, WHEN JOE GIBBS TOOK THE MONEY TO BACK THE JAPS!!!!!!!"

"Nice" racial slur there guy. Do NASCAR and it's much more reasonable fans a favor and follow the tiddly-winks league something.

You type isn't needed or wanted.

Anonymous said...

Jimmy Spencer should have gotten a standing ovation and 25 bonus points for punching Busch - not a suspension. It might have adjusted Busch's atitude.

Anonymous said...

NASCAR isn't near the game it used to be.. It's being ruined by the corporate "cruisin' for cash" dorks like Jamie "Does my hair look ok" McMurray and Carla "Fake a swing and run" Edwards. I'd like to see Carla fake a swing at RG, he wouldn't have time to turn tail, 'cause he'd be sitting on it. NASCAR has too many drivers and not enough racers. Not to mention not enough racing...

Anonymous said...

Excuse me if I don't buy into this. I guess Tony wrecking Busch didn't count as a reason to retaliate THIS time. It sure has in the past. Just a thought, but NASCAR might have taken it as deliberate. I know I did. P.S. I was hoping they would both be suspended for a while. It would be nice to have a break from both of their childish escapades.

Anonymous said...

Aren't you overblowing this a bit?

Kurt's penalty for wrinkling some sheet metal (at reduced speed and well before reaching pit road), is entirely reasonable.

The cause of Tony's penalty is less dramatically obvious, but what he recieved is not at all out of line for the combination of:

A. Turning Kurt HARD into the wall by making what would have been a risky move on the last lap of a race during PRACTICE, and

B. Deliberately blocking the enterance to the garage on pit road.

Is all this hysteria really justified?

Anonymous said...

Tony Stewart has decked Kurt Busch... Jimmy Spencer has punched Kurt Busch... NASCAR has yanked Kurt Busch's hard card... Kurt Busch has been fired from his ride while in the chase (and still the defending Cup champion)... Kurt Busch tried to turn his car into a weapon on pit road last year (almost hit a Home Depot crew member)... and now he turns it into a weapon again even blocking Stewart from entering the garage area (again, endangering crewmembers)... so why are fans trashing Tony Stewart? Kurt Busch got off easy with a punch in the face... he deserves to be up on criminal charges. (Don't believe me, you go drive your car into someone else's on propose at any speed... just don't call me asking for bail money!)

Anonymous said...

I think everyone is missing the point. What did either of them do to be put on probation? Nothing. Let them race and scrap a little. The ratings would go through the roof and fans would love it. Nascar says they want to get back to their roots. Thats the real lie they are telling. Remember Bobby and Cale on the last lap of the 500 when most of the east coast was snowed in? That made Nascar in the modern era as we know it today. This is not your dad's Nascar, and thats a really sad fact.

Anonymous said...

Great article as always David! By now everyone realizes that NASCAR doesn't speak or write in ENGLISH. No folks the language of choice for them is NASCAR-SPEAK. In the wonderful world of NASCAR-SPEAK up can be down and right can be left...NASCAR SPEAK starts whenever they quote Section 12-4-A in their rulebook! Dennis (www.racetalkradio.com)

Anonymous said...

I just wonder how much longer Nascar is going to let Kurt Busch keep running over people on pit road before they do something about it. I mean Kurt is always having some kind of issue with someone all the time. He's just a idiot! What is Nascar waiting on, for him to seriously hurt someone or maybe kill someone before they get his attention.

Anonymous said...

You all don't know what racin is all about. Bring back the 60's and 70's racin.

Anonymous said...

Tony Stewart makes Jimmy Spencer look like Nicole Richie.

Unknown said...

NASCAR is behaving as any authoritarian body behaves. They make rules, then proceed to break them at their leisure. They treat the fans and obviously the media as lap dogs at best, and curs at worst. As in all other areas of life, when you have a ruling body who declares that ONLY IT has the answers and those answers are correct, things start to deteriorate.
NASCAR is in trouble because the leaders do not respect those that brought them to the dance, and so will most likely, down the road, go home alone.

Anonymous said...

NASCAR has about lost me as a fan. Thank goodness Formula 1 is less than a month away.

Anonymous said...

It's NASCARS game . They make the rules . They change the rules -at will . The NASCAR hierarchy live in a fantasy world that they have created and that they control completely . We are expected to believe everything they say , and not believe our eyes or our common sense . You notice that NASCAR has mandated that all seats in the grandstands be painted in semi- random contrasting colors . This is to fool the tv audience into thinking that the seats have people sitting in them . How cynical is that ? More important , how sad is that ?

Anonymous said...

Anon said "Kurt Busch has been fired from his ride while in the chase (and still the defending Cup champion)... "

I knew someone would have to go there...

Monkee said"anonymous #49, maybe #4 had a point calling Senior a bum - he didn't speak up for anyone but himself and was among the more two-faced drivers in the garage area, famous for calling other drivers "candy asses" if there was controversy about speeds yet once admitting "I was nervous as hell during those tests" because of the speeds involved."

Umm what form of NASCAR have you read, watched or ever seen? Sr stood up to NASCAR and NASCAR listened to him. Do a little research prior to that statement.He didnt take any crap from anyone in there...

Marc "This despite the fact it's private info between NASCAR, the testing facility and the miscreant. As such anyone willfully releasing the info is subject to visiting his/her lawyer.

Same goes for the Tim Richmond thing

Guess you also support the airing of Crocker/Evernham dirty laundry in public.

Something that the public at large has no business knowing."

For once I agree with you 100%

Funny thing is David "calls out NASCAR" but will be the one there at the 125's doing his usual for and with them... Kinda ironic

BY KURT 2

Anonymous said...

Anonymous at 2/13/2008 11:32 PM said...

I think most of you are missing the fact that Stewart put Busch in the wall before Busch hit him. I think he should have put Stewart in the wall.Stewart is one of those that says do as I say not as I do. How about Daytona when Stewart ran all the way to the grass to run Matof the track and wrecked him and Nascar did nothing to him.

Exactly! Why do so many people give certain people a proverbial "free pass" on this kind of thing? Kurt was ahead and it was the car behind him's responsbility to find enough room to pass. Stewart didn't. He's always like a bull in a china shop. "Let me by because of who I am" not unlike a driver from the past who has been cannonized not that he's gone. And that lame "Tony is just being Tony" line is ridiculous too! So he should get away with anything on or off the track because "that's just how he is?" But Busch is always crucified for anything he does? Talk about a double standard.

I also remember Stewart just sweeping down and wrecking Kenseth two years ago at Daytona for no good reason. How people can call him the best driver out there is really beyond me! He's simply the biggest bully among active drivers today.

Anonymous said...

To the people that are saying Tony put Kurt in the wall... Did you watch the video? If Kurt wouldn't have ran up the track to block a car that was past his bumper there would be no issue. Kurt caused the wreck! If the penalties were for on track action Tony should not have been included. I thank Tony for punchiung Kurt. I only wish it would have been taped.

Anonymous said...

So, you mean to say you support NASCAR telling the world what and how much drugs someone has used when caught?

This despite the fact it's private info between NASCAR, the testing facility and the miscreant. As such anyone willfully releasing the info is subject to visiting his/her lawyer.

Same goes for the Tim Richmond thing

Guess you also support the airing of Crocker/Evernham dirty laundry in public.

Something that the public at large has no business knowing.

I don't believe anyone's asking to see things that are personal in nature. But if someone is suspended for drugs then that should be made public, as in other sports.

NASCAR is ridiculously pathetic in it's approach to the media. If you act like you have something to hide, we WILL all assume that you are hiding something.

Frances: Hire an independent commissioner to run the sport and get the nepotism out. It's time to grow up and make NASCAR a professionally run sport.

Marc, thanks for slamming the stupid racial comments. That I agree with you on, no place here to be a knuckle-dragging mouth-breather.

David, keep up the good work and ask the tough questions directly to Helton and Pembleton that we all want to know.---Paul Bowen

Anonymous said...

So many NASCAR haters. Or thoughts of FIXED outcomes. I used to work in the sport, I do not like where its going, but its NOT Fixed! We spent millions of dollars behind the scene to gain a competitive edge. If you do not like the sport, why comment on it? oh, its a place for people to complain.

Anonymous said...

Mr.Poole,I've written to you before and 99% of the time I have DISAGREED with your opnions!!! This time you were RIGHT ON I was watching the live show Sat. and about fell on the floor when YOU said they should kick SISSY BOY BUSCH out for the rest of the weekend.Evey announcer I heard talk about this said the on track event was just a "racin deal" What Bush did in the pits was not!!!! I think he was real smart ( as he did in the Jimmy Spencer episode a few years back) to stay in his car and get to the pits asap because Tony was trying to get out of his car and give him what he deserved A good ass kicking!!!Tony is one of the few REAL race drivers left he was racing sprint cars on dirt while Kurt Boy was bagging groceries at some foodmart.I think maybe his carowner might have had something to do with the so called "punishment" if this had been one of the unfavored ones lets say a Robbie Gordon instead of Bush I certain the punishment would have been very different

Anonymous said...

paulbowen - "I don't believe anyone's asking to see things that are personal in nature. But if someone is suspended for drugs then that should be made public, as in other sports."

Really? Then you have spent so little time reading the thread and missed a very pointed arguement that said just that.

Monkeesfan said...

Marc, first of all I read that story about team owners blaming the economy and it's disingenuous because they're just (pun warning) passing the buck. Their spending is ultimately the problem, and what is amazing is that no one in their ranks has stood up and asked if it might be a good idea for the team owners to get togther and share revenue with each other. It's even more amazing that no one in the sanctioning body has put this forward as an idea. Instead we just get regurgitation of the independent contractor charade that's been going on for years. Come off it, guys, stop blaming the economy and start facing your own foolishness; get together and hammer out revenue sharing with each other.

Marc, second of all you respond to my comment about NASCAR dictating into areas it has no business dictating and squelching stories that portray the sport in a negative light by correlating drug testing policy and Erin Crocker's seedy relationship with Ray Evernham into the discussion, as if those were areas I was referring to.

I was referring to car specs, rules, and general policies. NASCAR has not allowed any out-of-the-box views on any issue to be circulated, either in the garage area or in their press. I'm hard-pressed to remember any kind of serious dissenting voice on any serious issue come from the NASCAR press.

How you drew a conclusion about drug testing and Erin Crocker's affair with Ray Evernham out of that comment I have no idea.

Monkeesfan said...

Anonymous #85 - I lived through the Earnhardt era and there has never been any evidence that Earnhardt ever stood up to NASCAR or spoke for the drivers or won any policy battle with NASCAR. I never heard him say anything particularly truthful or serious about any major issue.

Monkeesfan said...

Paul Bowen, to this independent commissioner you want to hire, some questions like the following should be asked -

What is more important - fielding the best competitive product, or more aggressive marketing of the brand?

What is better for the competitive product - a dominating driver, or the highest number of different winning drivers and teams possible?

What plan do you have for inter-team revenue sharing?

Will your policy on multicar teams entail forcing the disbanding of elements of multicar teams?

Anonymous said...

monkeesfan - "Their spending is ultimately the problem, and what is amazing is that no one in their ranks has stood up and asked if it might be a good idea for the team owners to get togther and share revenue with each other."

Maybe because they have more business sense than you'll ever have.

Yeah that's the answer! Revenue sharing, it worked so well in MLB!

Oh wait... it hasn't the losers are still the losers despite the Tax placed on the rich teams to be given to the poor ones.

"Marc, second of all you respond to my comment about NASCAR dictating into areas it has no business dictating and squelching stories that portray the sport in a negative light by correlating drug testing policy and Erin Crocker's seedy relationship with Ray Evernham into the discussion, as if those were areas I was referring to.

Um no. I asked a question. Thats it. Quit stuffing that strawman.

Anonymous said...

Regarding the "revenue sharing" discussion, technically it is already in place. The division is complicated, to say the least.

The distribution of NASCAR money includes numerous factors in the overall equation, with the bonus programs and sponsor programs factoring large in that equation, The equation goes like this:
Race Purse | TV money | Car Owner Special Award Programs | Winners Circle Award Program | Leader Bonus | Manufacturer Award Prizes | and more.

The purse includes several factors divided between
the field of 43, where a sliding scale to divide the purse is used based on finishing order. TV award money is also paid and figured the same way. There are special owner plans that car owners are allowed to be a part of which also pay out.

Of course, there is the award for leading a lap, and numerous other incentives for car owners, drivers and teams.

Most often, the money is paid after each event. Yet, approx. 20 million in pro-rated share money is distributed at the end of the season from the Manufacturers Point Fund.

Back to the TV money. TV money increases the track purse at each event. About four years ago
the TV money equation broke out to: 65 percent = promoters, 25 percent = purse and 10 percent = NASCAR.

So, technically there is already revenue sharing in place, and there has been for a long, long, time!
You might read the NY Times article from 1999 that details how it all got started: "How Nascar's Power Figure Keeps Everybody Happy"
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=
9E0CEFDA1231F933A15753C1A96F958260&sec=
&spon=&pagewanted=all

Now, is the money in the Cup series comparable to the NFL, MLB, PGA, etc? That opens a new can of worms. Does the revenue sharing % need to increase, well that is what most team owners will argue. But, then there is the argument from the NASCAR side. You can bet your bottom dollar that NASCAR will use the decline in last years TV ratings as part of their argument.

As a fan, you are also helping with the "revenue sharing." If you watch the broadcast, and ratings go up, then revenue sharing goes up across the board.

So, when David posts an article about NASCAR lying to the fans, etc. I find it a low priority, when you educate yourself about the money equation! Why?
TV ratings were up for the Budweiser Shootout, and the reasons are as varied as the drivers in the sport. I will be interested to see what the ratings are for the Duel's with Dale, Jr. winning out of the box for Hendrick and the publicity the media gave to Tony and Kurt. If either one of those reasons made you watch then everybody is happy if ratings are up.
More ratings, more money. So, David Poole's blog could be a factor in the revenue sharing equation. NASCAR, the owners, drivers, teams, and sponsors love it when that happens!

Anonymous said...

Is there proof in the pudding to post # 96t? You bet! Out of curiosity I searched Google for Tony and Kurt. Take a look at the some of the hits proving the publicity point:

Sports Illustrated:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/racing/wires/
02/12/3010.ap.car.nascar.daytona.500.3rd.ld.
writethru.0693/

Tribune Chronicle in OH:
http://www.tribune-chronicle.com/page/content.
detail/id/501527.html?nav=5024

Las Vegas Review Journal:
http://www.lvrj.com/sports/15661537.html

MN Star Tribune:
http://www.startribune.com/sports/motorsports/
15644807.html

Baltimore Sun:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/motorracing/
bal-sp.ordine13feb13,0,4449859.column

Indianapolis Star:
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080213/
SPORTS0109/802130446/1052/SPORTS01

Kansas City Star:
http://www.kansascity.com/
sports/motorsports/story/487542.html

SportingNews (NASCAR Wire Service):
http://www.sportingnews.com/
yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=351032

More Google Hits -
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ie=
UTF-8&resnum=1&ct=title&ncl=1129993078

Anonymous said...

we all know of Tony's claustrophbia and total disdain for the media and the sanctioning body of the sport in which he competes i just hopes he gets the psychiatric help he needs before he punks the wrong driver and gets called on it. maybe someone will give jimmy Spencer a ride at Bristol and let him deal with Stewart. I'd love to see someone kick he's butt hard enough for him to wear it as a collar

Anonymous said...

seems to me the "punishment" was handed down by the only one that should have...TONY...look at Kurt eye

Anonymous said...

Hey ya'll, Does Tony Stewart look like Al Capone or is it just me?

Anonymous said...

I think the reason Tony got sentenced to probation was he for lack of better words " whooped Kurt`s ass" in the Nascar Hauler. Good for you Tony and good for you David. Somebody finally stood up and said enough is enough. Put Stewart and Busch in a ring out at LMS during Allstar Weekend and let`s have a good old fashion Loser leave Town Match. Sounds good to me.

excuzzzeme said...

The media call out NASCAR on the carpet? I think not. After all, that's what buys your food (see inset picture of DP). NASCAR trying for parity? If they did it would jeopardize their bedtime activities with Chevrolet. NASCAR is not about fair, it's about selling tickets and making money. Putting butts in the seats to make the France family wallet greener is the ultimate goal. Always has been; always will be.

Monkeesfan said...

Marc, first of all you're not qualified to comment about anyone's business sense when you obviously are ignorant of the fact that revenue sharing in pro sports always works, and for good measure spending caps always work as well. The "losers" in MLB aren't the same anymore, and the World Series has seen six different winners in the last seven runnings since the end of the Yankees dynasty.

Second of all you're not qualified to comment, period, when you throw in shots about drug testing and the Ray Evernham/Eric Crocker fiasco in response to a general post about NASCAR intervening in areas it has no business in and then act all disingenuous about it with shots about straw men. "I asked a question." No, you went off on a tangent.

Anonymous #96 makes excellent points about NASCAR's present purse and contingency award structures and how they constitute a form of revenue sharing. My point is the concept needs to be extended directly to race teams sharing revenue with each other. It works everywhere else and NASCAR's lack of a direct inter-team revenue sharing policy is not in the sport's best interest.

Anonymous said...

D.P. asked what was Stewart snaction for if not for what happened in the trailer. How about PUNTING Busch into the wall during practice- the replays shows he didn't just misjudge his speed. Damn the penalties-I'd have returned the favor too- Hey NASCAR- for situations like this why not just let em slug it out--Stewart proves it just like WWE anyway-only he used his car rather than a chair from ringside

Anonymous said...

David Poole actually help the sport? I suggest ya'll go look at his pics from when he first started. Seems Nascar isn't the only one thats gotten bigger based on controversy

Anonymous said...

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