Beatin'and Bangin'
by M.L. Morgan 7-13-1999
Well, race fans, we've all seen the never-ending tale of Nascar's "Controversy of the Week." I love soap operas.
This week was a re-run. Dale Jarrett cried 'foul' when Jeff Gordon pushed him out of the way on the last lap at Louden to gain a finishing spot on Jarrett, and 5 points. This move wasn't invented this weekend. It was used when I was still in diapers. Jarrett just showed his ass out of frustration.
I suspect Jarrett is already spending his winnings from the Points Championship. Not a wise move. There are still 16 more races and a lot of points will be won and lost. Jarrett has been very fortunate so far this season. Bobby Labonte, Mark Martin, Jeff Burton and Jeff Gordon are still very much alive. Jarrett is lucky it wasn't Earnhardt wanting the position - Jarrett would have ended up in the bleachers. Gordon was fairly polite.
Not long ago, Jeff Gordon showed Rusty Wallace how to get out of his way at Bristol. Same little nudge - Rusty didn't cry, but he got even later, intentionally spinning-out Gordon. Low-class, in my opinion. Maybe it was one of them racin' deals. Maybe the fans like it or expect it. I didn't like it.
I am surprised Humpy Wheeler didn't choreograph the last lap. Don't know that he didn't. This is the kind of crap which leaves newer fans wondering if they are watching professional wrestling or Nascar racing. Who will be the bad guy next week ? Spare me, please !
I've seen Jimmy Spencer lift the rear of Kenny Schrader's car off the ground under caution. I've seen Earnhardt send Rusty for 7 flips at Talladega on the last lap, with nothing to gain. I've seen Cale and Bobby Allison take each other out of races near the end, just because of spite. Really stupid, but hardly a new invention.
Now I'm supposed to care Jarrett is upset at Gordon. This is staged - this is total crap and I, for one, am tired of it. Nascar didn't fine Gordon. He didn't do anything wrong. It's part of racing. It's the essence of racing. These people are competitors. Get out of my way or I'll remind you with the chrome horn.
Beatin' and bangin' is part of Winston Cup Racing but soap operas have no business here. Switch to IRL if that's what you like.