Sportsattitude

If you are a big fan of NASCAR, you are aware the “party line” among crew chiefs historically has always been their job is to take a look at the existing rules NASCAR dictates for the dimensions, specifications, etc. they are enforcing for all competitors’ cars…and then find clever ways to circumvent or otherwise work around the rules as they decide to interpret (i.e. ignore) them. 

At one time, there apparently was a certain romance to all this when NASCAR was looked upon as a Southern redneck, moonshine-running circuit which had a limited national profile and appeal.  However, as we all know over the last several years stock car racing in this country exploded in popularity with top drivers now able to become millionaires just for winning a single race.  They make millions more just from sponsoring all sorts of products. 

However, when NASCAR introduced their concept for a new template of automobile design they planned to implement for future competitions - the “Car of Tomorrow” - they made it quite clear those days of trying to find ways to stretch the rules were at an end.  There is too much money and too many high-profile corporations and networks involved now to allow for any possibility fans think the sport is fixed, or that cheating is acceptable unless you are caught.   The season is long and the races even longer.  To be a NASCAR fan is to make a sizeable investment in time and attention…and if you think your favorite driver is not getting a fair shake or the playing field is uneven, you’ll likely walk away no longer interested in spending five hours each weekend watching races that stretch from February through November. 

The “COT” car was designed to create a level playing field for all teams and put the emphasis back on close, competitive racing while also reducing the economic investment necessary to constantly tweak cars for different tracks each week.   The big-budget, super-teams that have recently become the front-runners in the sport have extremely deep pockets and not only can field multiple cars but spend unlimited resources on R & D to modify their cars to perform at maximum efficiency on all types of tracks.  Now, with the “COT” car in place…that advantage now disappears as NASCAR has essentially dictated cars will not be tinkered with anymore.  The dimensions and specifications will remain the same regardless of where the circuit is racing each week.

This week, it was announced yet another violation was committed by teams of Hendrick Motorsports…who has dominated NASCAR all season long and is one of the super-powers with the most cars, the highest-profile drivers and a fair number of big-time sponsorships.  The usual fines have been levied, points have been taken away towards determining a champion, and the crew chiefs involved have to sit on the sidelines for a few weeks.  All of this is getting very boring to fans and sponsors alike.  The penalties being enforced are not severe enough and nothing is changing.  Jimmy Johnson’s crew chief, Chad Knaus, has been penalized repeatedly by NASCAR (and not just this season!) but in this latest instance, received no greater penalty than Jeff Gordon’s crew chief (Steve Letarte) for committing the same violation as Knaus…or for that matter, Dale Earnhardt’s crew chief (Tony Eury) who, several weeks ago, was cited for a different type of violation representing Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Motorsports.   In fact, several analysts said during coverage of this past week’s race in Sonoma, CA the penalties against Gordon and Johnson’s crew chiefs should be even more severe than the one placed against Earnhardt’s as their penalties were clearly committed with deliberate intent.  These race teams don’t even need these crew chiefs at the race tracks.  In some cases, it is starting to appear they only exist to sit out races when caught cheating as NASCAR has been unwilling to sit out the drivers themselves.

The drivers swear they don’t know any of this is going on.  Fans are not that stupid.  I have noticed in the last two weeks ratings for NASCAR telecasts are down almost 25% from the same periods one year ago.  I wonder if even die-hard stock car fans are starting to find other things to do with their weekends than wonder if they’re seeing a fair, above-board competition.

Disney/ABC/ESPN just invested up to their “Mouse Ears” in the sport of NASCAR and, while controversy sometimes can sell a few more tickets and bring more eyeballs to the tube, in this instance I am betting they are hoping NASCAR can resolve this continued “bending of the rules.”  Most “news” involving mainstream sports these days consists of reports of arrests, substance abuse…or cheating…and NASCAR is quickly falling into that trap.