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New Pit Penalties and Official Tire Catchers | | By Carol Einarsson | 02/02/2010 | Category: Cheers and Jeers | | | CHEERS to a new “chief appellate officer” for the NASCAR court of appeals. Clearly the former servers of the position needed replacing, and we can only hope the new guy (John Middlebrook, GM exec) has a better head on his shoulders than the bozos that upheld the decision against Carl Long last year.
CHEERS to the cut in purses for NASCAR races. Do the drivers risk personal injury and death, even, to entertain us with races? Yes. But do they do it for the money? No. Sure, it’s nice to be paid well in whatever your chosen field, but ask any guy out there and I bet they’d do it for the trophy and covered expenses. I think 10% is a lot less than it could be cut and there wouldn’t likely be any drivers complaining.
JEERS to El Cajon’s “honor” of their native son, four-time champ Jimmie Johnson. They named a street after him, but the street was ALREADY named Johnson Avenue!
CHEERS to the list of illegal drugs being (at least partially) published. I wonder if I’m the only one that looked at the list, though, and thought, “Well I’m out.”
CHEERS to another open test, this one at Talladega. I wonder how many teams will fill out the field for that one.
CHEERS to pit road changes this year that increase safety yet again, mostly that speeding will be punished differently than in the past. No more speeding out of the pits because the penalty puts the driver at the back of the field (where he already is). Now it seems there will be no more penalties served “concurrently”.
CHEERS to clarification from NASCAR, also, about some officials catching a runaway tire and some not. The official edict is that if an official has to move out of his position to catch a tire, he can let it go. But if he can save it without going out of his way to do so, then that’s a good thing. Anyone else wondering what team will be the first to use this “extra man” by making sure that if they miss the tire catch at the wall, they at least shove it towards an official?
JEERS to the blown engine during the 24 hour race that took out the Ganassi team of JPM, Jamie McMurray, Scott Dixon, and Dario Franchitti. We would have liked to see them do better, but at least we got to see an interview with Dario.
CHEERS to Joey Logano winning the Toyota All-Star Showdown, but CHEERS also to Sergio Pena for his nice showing and for the “I-love-you-Dad hug” after the race. Very nice to see, and we can’t wait to watch him move up.
CHEERS to a commitment (at least for now) from BAM Racing that they will not start-and-park. If they can’t finish the race (financially-speaking, not skillfully so), they won’t start it.
And finally,
JEERS to Penske being the only Dodge team left for the exact reasons that are being voiced from the other teams. At any test where only one team for each manufacturer can participate (tire tests, for example), Penske will be the default and get to test everything every where. I thought it was great when Dodge returned to NASCAR, but I think if a manufacturer can’t maintain at least four teams, they shouldn’t be allowed in. That would make them work a little harder to keep their teams happy and successful, wouldn’t it?
| | | Comments: | | I wonder about cutting the purses for the races. There are already a lot of people that feel there is too much points racing and the championship and not enough emphasis on winning individual races. I don't see how this will help that. Why didn't they lessen the championship jackpot to fund the individual race purses instead?
Good for BAM. I hope they stick to that plan.
I wish NASCAR would loosen up the testing ban and then maybe tire tests wouldn't matter as much. I'm sure there is a downside to Penske being the only Dodge team out there but it sure does seem like an advantage with the current ban on testing.
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| | I'm just glad that I wasn't the only one that read the list of banned substances and thought, Well now I can't be a driver. (like I ever could but...)
Right now I'm liking the new pit row changes. I think they were needed...especially the one about if you enter pit row & the yellow comes out when you can't see it. That's burned alot of drivers in the past.
But the thing I'm most "cheer"ful about is that Daytona happenings start this weekend. Ahhh, finally!!!!! |
| | | Why doesn't na$car just take 10 per cent less as their cut? Like they couldn't afford it.More of the SOS and I don't mean help. |
| | rocketgirl: "Right now I'm liking the new pit row changes. I think they were needed...especially the one about if you enter pit row & the yellow comes out when you can't see it. That's burned alot of drivers in the past."
I was also very happy to see that rule change. Drivers were being penalized when they didn't do anything wrong!
As for the Penske team, I would say one disadvantage is they don't have anyone else to go to if they have a problem. For example, if they start having engine failues, is it the Dodge engines or something else with their cars? They don't have a basis for comparison. But I agree it is a big benefit to get to participate in every tire test. The new #46 team (Terry Cook) is supposed to run Dodges; I wonder if they'll get to participate in any of those tire tests. |
| | | I can understand the purse cutting by 10% to give the tracks a break. However, why doesn't NASCAR go a step further and cut their sanction fee by a similar percentage until things improve? Usual strategy - let the teams take the hit. |
| | | another CHEER to Sergio for being a better man than I'd be... I'd have eventually bumped Logano and moved on. :) |
| | Hi Carol,
You wrote: "CHEERS to the cut in purses for NASCAR races."
JEERS to the cut in purses. Not that any of the points you made is wrong (indeed, the days when drivers like Cale Yarborough depended on race winnings to feed their family are long gone; drivers make most of their income from retainer and sponsor money). But I think it would have been better to take money from the championship point fund, and maintain the race purses. There is already too much points racing, decreasing the race purse will only make that worse.
And you wrote: "CHEERS to the list of illegal drugs being (at least partially) published."
Definately. This policy shows the application of a little common sense, unlike the prior one. All illegal drugs are banned. Legal prescription drugs used without a prescription, or in a manner inconsistent with the prescription, are banned. Certain classes of prescription drugs which could be performance enhancing or impairing are listed and banned. Certain classes of over-the-counter drugs which could be performance enhancing or impairing are listed and banned. It gives the competitors a clearer idea of what could represent a problem. (and, I note, unlike the previous policy, which prohibited all alcohol use on raceday, competitors are now allowed to have a beer after the race).
Plus you wrote: "CHEERS to pit road changes this year that increase safety yet again"
Yes, CHEERS on this one. No penalty if you come into the pits when the light comes on after you've committed (as long as you proceed thru the pits at pit road speed without stopping). No penalty for trivial contact with the air hose leaving the pit. Both common sense rules, altho (in the interest of not having cautions unnecessarily prolonged) it might have been better if they'd have allowed taking gas when necessary to avoid running out.
Lastly you wrote: "JEERS to Penske being the only Dodge team left for the exact reasons that are being voiced from the other teams."
This is a hard one. After all, there are 4 Dodge teams (2, 12, 77 from Penske, and 46 of Terry Cook). But I think your sense is car owners. And then it gets fuzzy - how many Ford teams are there? Arguably, just two (Roush, including the Woods & Bill Jenkins; and RPM/Yates, including Front Row). And is it really in the best interests of the sport to say a manufacturer has to support 4 car owners to participate? But, the counter point is true - is it fair that some teams get to test, and others may not, especially when we know that there's a lot of sharing within a brand? It seems to me the answer is that Goodyear should not be allowed to have closed tests. Either they should be open tests (like they did at Indy last year), or Goodyear should source their own car (or use one from NASCAR's test center). That keeps it even for all the teams.
John
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| | Hi Carol
I agree Sergio Pena - WOW what a talent. I wonder who will sign him up first as a development driver! |
| | I'd say JEERS to some of the banned substances.
Beta blockers? Commonly used as a medication for high blood pressure which is not a forbidden medical condition as far as I know.
Ambien? A sleep aid? If prescribed by a doctor for a known ailment and taken at bedtime, why is that banned? Can't drivers coordinate this with the NASCAR medical board?
Ephedrine? That's in a lot of energy drinks and some allergy meds. Jeremy Mayfield may have a case here. If he didn't know it was banned.....
And a big cheer to the "entering pit road under green but getting caught by the yellow/red" as that was totally unfair to be penalized for that. What, is the driver at 45MPH supposed to turn hard right a foot and a half from the line to avoid a penalty? I don't think that's possible and never should have been penalized in the first place. That should have been fixed during the season in my opinion.
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| | JEERS to the 10% purse cut. I am waiting for the day that the US Justice dept starts to investigate NASCAR for being a monopoly. Couldn't happen to a nicer family.
H |
| | qhorque,
I believe (but could be mistaken) that any of the legal drugs (except for alcohol) that are taken for existing medical conditions, under the care and prescription of a doctor, can be coordinated (and thus allowed) by NASCAR on a case-by-case basis.
C |
| | @ qhorque:
Those medicines could cause coordination or reaction time problems - they could cause a driver to be unsafe on track, thus they are rightfully banned. "May cause drowsiness or dizziness" is a common warning with such medications.
I would presume NASCAR would not be as strict with crewmen using legally prescribed drugs, but it's appropriate and reasonable for them to be rigorous with the drivers.
John
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| | JEERS to the purse cut... I don't like that at all.
CHEERS to releasing the list of illegal drugs... now we all know what is and is not acceptable. Thankfully, If I had the ability to race... I could...lol ;)
@qhorque
Ephedrine was a no brainer... it was a must on the list. This particular drug has many, many side effects that could impair a person's mental and physical state.
CHEERS to Daytona!!!! I simply cannot wait to see the fella's back on the track!! Woohoo!
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| | Carol,
You wrote: CHEERS to a new “chief appellate officer” for the NASCAR court of appeals.
= =
Your comment suggests a single person [czar?] not the real-world deal, at least a panel of three. NA$CAR's appellate court sounds more like 'somebody's brother-in-law' than 'they wear the black robes so that's why they're paid the big bucks'. The Frances are still the court of last resort? |
| | @dj88law:
No, Carol is right. The appeals process (if I remember right) has three steps, once a competitor is penalized: 1) appeal to NASCAR (either the Sprint Cup Director, John Darby, or the president, Mike Helton). 2) appeal to the Stock Car Racing Commission (this is the "panel of 3" you're thinking of). 3) appeal to the commissioner (the new guy, Middlebrook).
Actually, in theory one could appeal a step further, to the FIA (or their US representative, ACCUS). In practice the FIA wants nothing to do with NASCAR and wouldn't accept an appeal.
As you imply, no-one can recall a case where either the commission or the commissioner took action contrary to what NASCAR (France/Helton) desired.
John
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| | @ possum,
The French surrender at the drop of a hat; they damn well better keep away. |
| | Re: Penske - Being (nearly) the sole, surviving Dodge team may turn out to be a double-edged sword. Back in the 90s, when Hoosier was trying to establish a beachhead in NASCAR (remember the "tire wars"?), they had to run tire tests at every track. Since Geoff Bodine's team (formerly Alan Kulwicki's) was one of the few committed to Hoosier, they had were "invited" to every test.
The net effect was that they ended up running basically 1-1/2 times as many laps that season than any other team. This meant added travel expenses, and extraneous wear-and-tear on Bodine, his team, and equipment. The combined effect of all of this resulted in Bodine selling his team, which was otherwise a winning one, to Jim Mattei.
Now, I realize that Roger Penske has considerably more money to throw around than Bodine did. But as much as teams like testing, everyone has a point when enough is enough. If Penske finds himself overextended, it's not going to do him, or Dodge, any good.
As far as "banned" substances in NASCAR, a lot of what can and can't be used depends on how quickly they can be metabolized by the body. Some people can take, say, Ambien, get a full eight hours' sleep, and wake up ready to go -- with the remnants of the drug gone from their bloodstream. With others, however, it could be different.
If a driver is prescribed a certain drug by his/her physician, the smart thing is to consult with the physician, NASCAR, and other sources to determine what parameters the drug can be used in, in order for its effects to be fully mitigated in order to be safe to race.
CHEERS to the Bud Shootout! Regardless of how it's constituted, it's cars on the track, and a green flag waved overhead. Keep your groundhogs, woodchucks, and what-not. Race fans know: When the drivers see the green flag, winter is over!!
--Mike. |
| | | I think that it is ok how Penske is only Dodge team. I think he wont stay that way if someone else comes in. He has already been with GM and Ford so he wont likely be back with them anytime soon |
| | @ giluvracing:
WRT banned substances, the problem is how do you ensure the Ambien is taken the night before the race, and not the morning of the event? While it would be nice to trust folk to use prescription meds the way they're intended, you can't count on that.
I have no issue with NASCAR banning the use of _any_ medication which could affect a driver's ability to control the car. There is no inherent right to drive a racecar, it's fair and reasonable for NASCAR to impose the constraint that a driver not take medications (by the same token, it would be fair for NASCAR to have a looser standard for other crew members, who do not pose the same risk to the other competitors).
The only issue I have with NASCAR is their assertion that their testing program is perfect and infallible. It is not the nature of anything done by man to be infallible; NASCAR needs to recognize that and provide a process of appeal and confirmation to validate a suspect test.
WRT groundhogs, if FOX keeps that damned critter hidden I'll be a happier man.
John
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| | | It's not just you, Carol; I've been on various prescription amphetamines as ADHD treatment for over twenty years now, so even if I'm not trying to cope with a cold, I'd be out. |
| | Legalese and all that about the new drug rules was just BORING for me. Too little, too late :(
Speedweeks is upon us, let's rejoice! :D |
| | | CHEERS to possum's post above (#19). I agree completely with all points. |
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Sprint Cup 2010 Schedule
Saturday night races in red
Feb 14 Daytona FOX 1pm
Feb 21 Fontana FOX 3pm
Feb 28 Las Vegas FOX 1pm
Mar 07 Atlanta FOX 1pm
Mar 14 OFF
Mar 21 Bristol FOX 1pm
Mar 28 Martinsvl FOX 1pm
Apr 04 OFF
Apr 10 Phoenix FOX 7pm
Apr 18 Texas FOX 3pm
Apr 25 Talladega FOX 1pm
May 01 Richmond FOX 7pm
May 08 Darlington FOX 7pm
May 16 Dover FOX 1pm
May 22 ALL STAR SPEED
May 30 Charlotte FOX 5pm
Jun 06 Pocono TNT 1pm
Jun 13 Michigan TNT 1pm
Jun 20 Sonoma TNT 3pm
Jun 27 Loudon TNT 1pm
Jul 03 Daytona TNT 7pm
Jul 10 Chicago TNT 7pm
Jul 17 OFF
Jul 25 Indianapolis ESPN 1pm
Aug 01 Pocono ESPN 1pm
Aug 08 WatkGlen ESPN 1pm
Aug 15 Michigan ESPN 1pm
Aug 21 Bristol ABC 7pm
Sep 05 Atlanta ESPN 7pm
Sep 11 Richmond ABC 7pm
Sep 19 Loudon ESPN 1pm
Sep 26 Dover ESPN 1pm
Oct 03 Kansas ESPN 1pm
Oct 10 Fontana ESPN 3pm
Oct 16 Charlotte ABC 7pm
Oct 24 Martinsvl ESPN 1pm
Oct 31 Talladega ESPN 1pm
Nov 07 Texas ESPN 3pm
Nov 14 Phoenix ESPN 3pm
Nov 21 Homestead ESPN 1pm
 
  
 
What happened to me in 1983?
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