Bumpers and Bumpees
By M.L. Morgan
Well, race fans, we got a kick out of Jeremy Mayfield moving the Intimidator out of his way at the conclusion of Monday's race. We were also very surprised Earnhardt would have been so careless. Can't win an 8th Title like that, Bucko !
We are not bothered by the little nudge. They are only noticed on the final lap. How many cars did Earnhardt "nudge" to climb back from 43rd into contention ? We don't think anyone was counting. Certainly not Nascar.
That's the problem we have with Nascar, again. Selective enforcement of gossamer rules. (look it up - it's a good word).
We are reminded of this as we approach another race at Sonoma. That's the site of the 1991 spectacle in which Ricky Rudd was forced to forfeit his ostensible win for 'rough driving'. He passed eventual winner Davey Allison with a crude pass which spun Allison out. The pass was b.s. and the penalty was just. We remember the race well. The penalty was appropriate. One of the last times we have agreed with Nascar.
Since that race we have witnessed the inequity. Adjacent to the track at Talladega is a junkyard full of cars Jimmy Spencer has wrecked, and/or caused to wreck. Don't remember that he was ever penalized. Hell, he is Mr. Excitement. Do race fans want to see that ? I hope not.
We watched Earnhardt wreck Terry Labonte at Bristol, just out of spite, when the race was already decided. Earnhardt's penalty ? Zip. Maybe his brakes failed. Spare me, please.
We watched Jeff Gordon nudge Rusty Wallace out of his way. Wallace didn't wreck, but Gordon won. A few races later Rusty paid back by putting Gordon into the wall. Absolutely classless. Penalty ? Surprise ! ZIP.
We could recount so many more instances but we won't. You have all watched the same races we have watched.
We are not considering the "good old days" when crew members took after other crews with jack handles. We are talking about the modern, T.V. era. Much greater exposure.
We don't care for the Professional Wrestling mentality Nascar has adopted.
Winston Cup Racing has become a T.V. deal. Tons of money. Is that a valid reason to have no rules ? We don't think so.
We don't like pandering to the audience. We would never do that at Race Views. But we suspect Nascar is doing just that.
Simple deal - if a driver intentionally hits another car and causes him to wreck, he is immediately disqualified. Nascar has nearly 100 officials at each race. They can see everything which happens on the track. First lap or last lap. We don't think it should matter.
So what if Jeremy Mayfield nudged the Intimidator out of his way ? Earnhardt should have found a better place to park.
We'll be back
Mike Morgan
Have comments or questions ? E:mail:M.L. Morgan
Home | Past Editorials | Racing Links | M.L's NASCAR flags | Ask Uncle Mike