Title 41

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <A HREF="spin_out_zone_home.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mike Harpers Spin Out Zone, NASCAR News "><U><B><IMG SRC="14ca9430.png" border=0 width="169" height="67" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <div> <I><B>The Spin Out Zone column can be found at:</B></I></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.racindeals.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.racindeals.com"><U><B><IMG SRC="13e7d470.gif" border=0 width="125" height="71" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div>  <A NAME="the_spin_out_zone"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>The <FONT SIZE="7" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Comix" >Spin</FONT><FONT SIZE="7" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Comix" > </FONT>Out <FONT SIZE="7" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Comix" >Zone</FONT></div> <div> <I><U>NASCAR OPINIONS - NEWS & INTERVIEWS</U></I></div> <div> <I>Nationally respected columnist Mike Harper's SpinOutZone.com</I><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >    </FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >| </FONT><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Spin Out Zone Inside the ARCA RE/MAX Se"><U><B>home</B></U></A><B>      back to  </B><A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Archive Spin Out Zone Columns"><U><B>Archive Spin Out Zone Columns</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>May 2003</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#marty_smith_and_brooke_gordon_get" TITLE="Title 41"><U>Marty Smith and Brooke Gordon Get Bumped </U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#the_winston_gets_bumped_" TITLE="Title 41"><U>The Winston Gets Bumped </U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#jeff_hamond_s_jeff_green_remark_and" TITLE="Title 41"><U>Jeff Hamond's Jeff Green Remark and Sophomore Jinx Get Bumped</U></A> </div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#jeff_green_and_dei_get_bumped_" TITLE="Title 41"><U>Jeff Green and DEI Get Bumped </U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><U> <A NAME="marty_smith_and_brooke_gordon_get"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></B></div> <div> <B><U>Marty Smith and Brooke Gordon Get Bumped</U></B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> The Spin Out Zone</div> <bR> <div> By Mike Harper </div> <div> <U>SpinOutZone@aol.com </U></div> <div> 5/29/2003 </div> <bR> <div> Hold on - here is the bump and the SPIN OUT!</div> <bR> <div> Yes, yes I am still SPENT over the Coke 600 last weekend! All week, I've read how people are just as disappointed as I was in the finish, however where are all the problem solvers? Geez... to me and obviously thousands of other FANS, there is a problem here.</div> <bR> <div> We heard all the excuses from the folks at Lowe's and Mike Helton on why the race was stopped. Like, it would take 3 to 4 hours to dry the track and it would be after midnight when racing started again. It would be too late for the fans and the police. Since when is it too late to race?</div> <bR> <div> Okay MIKE HELTON, if it's too late race, how about moving the start time to 3:00 PM? That's right, start it just after the Indianapolis 500 so if weather does move in, maybe next time it won't be so DARN late! It seems like a few years back they raced after midnight to get The Winston in didn't they?</div> <bR> <div> If the "getting too late" excuse is a TRUE excuse, then other sports should consider the safety of their FANS too. Like when a hockey game goes beyond 3 periods, like triple overtime! Remember the playoff game this year when the game went to 2:00 AM EST., if the NASCAR philosophy were true and fatigue and the safety of the fans and police are truly a concern, then maybe they should have called the hockey game! Well, maybe NASCAR cares more about their FANS than the NHL does.</div> <bR> <div> I will tell you this, when the rain came if Tony Stewart the driver of the #20 Home Depot Chevrolet were leading the Coke 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway instead of Jimmie Johnson and his #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, Humpy Wheeler would have had them track dryers out and the track would have been nice a dry in two hours! We would have been back to racing before midnight - GUARANTEED!</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>MARTY SMITH</B></I></div> <bR> <div> Did you catch Marty's article this week on NASCAR.com? In his "What's Fair Is Fair" article he tries to lesson the cheating done by the #48 team versus everyone else's cheating.</div> <bR> <div> In a nutshell, the #48 team gets caught cheating two weeks in a row and both times they get slapped with a fine. Marty's TAKE on the issue is that they got caught before the car touched the track. Okay Marty, I can see your point, but what about last year when the #2 team was fined and Rusty Wallace found himself loosing 25 Winston Cup Points and his car never touched the track either? Marty says "The difference, you ask? One word: Superspeedway."</div> <bR> <div> WHAT? Still the car never touched the track! Rusty never benefited from his team's cheating and nether did Jimmie Johnson. So, if NASCAR wants to be consistent with dishing out penalties, either fine them or dock the points! Quit with the inconsistent parenting!</div> <bR> <div> Marty continues "Due to the dangerous dynamic restrictor-plate racing creates, NASCAR is far more apt to take extreme measures when disciplining rules violators."</div> <bR> <div> I think Marty missed Brooke Gordon's memo because according to her, NASCAR is not dangerous.</div> <bR> <div> So Marty, is it fair to dock Wallace points and let Johnson slide? Marty replies "Morally? No. Competition-wise? Yes."</div> <bR> <div> I am amazed at how someone who collects a paycheck from Ted Turner and NASCAR can actually be really FAIR about this issue. To sit at his desk and justify docking points for one driver while forking out reasons why another driver shouldn't be docked points when both penalties are really the same, FREAKIN amazes me! Mart Dawg does a great job at interviewing drivers, but to be honest, he has a hard time being fair when voicing his opinion about NASCAR.</div> <bR> <div> Maybe someone should help me understand this - when it's against the rules to change engines before a race, your penalty is to start at the back of the pack. But technically doesn't it really give a team a huge advantage when they do change an engine especially before the longest race of the year? Hey Marty, is that a form of cheating?</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>BROOKE GORDON</B></I></div> <bR> <div> As reported at The Smoking Gun dot com (thesmokinggun.com) Brooke Gordon claims that driving a racecar isn't dangerous. That's right, in a recent court motion regarding the Jeff Gordon and Brooke Gordon divorce, Brooke claims that Jeff earned his fortune voluntarily from a safe occupation.</div> <bR> <div> Brooke and her attorney's are fighting Jeff Gordon's claim that Brooke should not be awarded the minimum 50% of his fortune because he earns his money by putting his life at risk. According to Brooke, Jeff's career isn't as dangerous as fishing. Using a world's most dangerous occupations article published by the USA Today, Brooke shows the court that commercial fishing is more dangerous than racing cars and there is no case of a divorced fisherman claiming his X should get less than 50%.</div> <bR> <div> You know, after seeing Jeff smooch his new woman on TV at The Winston two weeks ago, I thought this divorce deal was all said and done. I guess not.</div> <bR> <div> From the outside looking in, I see very bitter Brooke Gordon. I see someone who most likely caught her husband doing something he shouldn't have been doing and now she is enjoying the fact that her and her attorney's are a pain in the REAR-END of every team owner. She has turned a Gordon problem, into a NASCAR problem. She is taking her anger out on the entire NASCAR family and all though some keep quite, many speak of her true intentions. Bottom line, she's HACKED! She's the odd one out and her wanting more than Jeff is willing to give her is her sweet revenge. By fighting it the way she is, she stays within the sport even when the attention is negative. You know the old saying a child who wants attention will get it whether it's positive or negative. In this case, Jeff is the golden child and her only defense is to make everyone else's life miserable. I learned that from Doctor Phil!</div> <bR> <div> It doesn't help that Jeff goes on National TV and does a give-me-some SMOOCH with a younger version of his soon to be X wife while he is still technically married. All it does is add fuel to the fire!</div> <bR> <div> For heaven's sake Jeff Gordon, do the sport a favor and give her the 50% or even 65% and get on with your life.</div> <bR> <div> This weeks SPIN OUT goes to - Brooke Gordon! It's been well over a year since you filed for this divorce babe, what are your lawyers charging you an hour anyway?</div> <bR> <div> Keep it up Jerry! Get well and we are thinking about you!</div> <bR> <div> God Bless our Troops, our President and America!</div> <bR> <div> Until next week, happy bumping!</div> <bR> <div> Copyright 5/29/2003 </div> <div> by Mike Harper </div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#the_spin_out_zone" TITLE="Title 41"><U>Top of Page</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><U> <A NAME="the_winston_gets_bumped_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></B></div> <div> <B><U>The Winston Gets Bumped</U></B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> The Spin Out Zone</div> <bR> <div> By Mike Harper </div> <div> <U>SpinOutZone@aol.com </U></div> <div> 5/23/2003 </div> <bR> <div> Hold on - here is the bump and the SPIN OUT!</div> <bR> <div> What could be better than watching "COPS", "Americas Most Wanted", "Trading Spaces" and "What Not to Wear" on Saturday night? How about Saturday night Winston Cup racing!</div> <bR> <div> Sorry honey, but racing takes priority!</div> <bR> <div> For those of you who have spent time introducing this great sport of NASCAR to someone new, you will understand this week's column more than those who are blinded by love! We all know that love is blind even when it pertains to loving NASCAR. Sometimes, we get so caught up in the racing, that the actual presentation is lost or meaningless. Those who do NOT spend time watching this sport are more likely to pick up on the small things, like the presentation and many times this becomes the forefront of why they are not interested in the sport. </div> <div> This past weekend, my eyes where open, I've now seen it from the side of the non-believer!</div> <bR> <div> Winston Cup racing is attracting many new FANS. I thought "The Winston" would be a great opportunity for me to share with some of my coworkers and clients the sport that I love. Being the brainy SMURF that I am, I thought that after they watched the great ALL-STAR event, they would be hooked just as I am! I envisioned after watching this race that on every racing Sunday, like me, they would wake up to coffee and "NASCAR this Morning" and wait patiently for the race to start.</div> <bR> <div> BOY WAS I WRONG! Maybe, maybe, maybe I should have waited for Bristol or Michigan. But in this case, for a new viewer, "The Winston" the great ALL-STAR race, you know the HYPE - the "Survival of the Fastest" - ended up being one of the worst races for an introduction into Winston Cup.</div> <bR> <div> Is this my fault? Could I have possibly failed some team out there who could have prospered from a sponsorship, which happened to be a client of mine? A client who I, YES ME, introduced "The Winston" as their first experience in Winston Cup Racing?</div> <bR> <div> HECK NO! It's not my fault! I REFUSE to take responsibility for this!</div> <bR> <div> Let's face it, in the eyes of someone not familiar with the sport, in the mind of someone who looked at NASCAR for the very first time, in the heart of someone willing to look at a different marketing opportunity - "The Winston" failed to meet specific expectations!</div> <bR> <div> Do this for me - I ask you to remove you FAN hat, turn over your favorite driver's mouse pad and think like someone who has never seen NASCAR Winston Cup racing before.</div> <bR> <div> A friend (ME), who knows you have a marketing budget that exceeds the financial expectations of a NASCAR sponsorship, has just asked you to watch a Winston Cup race. Not just any race, but the NASCAR's ALL-STAR race! So there you are, the Vice President of Marketing, watching the "The Winston - 2003."</div> <bR> <div> BUMP 1 - THE FANS</div> <bR> <div> There were over 100,000 FANS in the stands and Lowe's Motor Speedway in some effort of brilliance, had to pick the most annoying, immature FANS to stand around the stage to BOOOO drivers during driver and team introductions. It was not only done in very bad taste, but it showed that drivers, teams and sponsors who were supposed to be NASCAR's ALL-STARS are under appreciated and the TRACK took NO measures to protect the sport! To me, this was a "12-4-A: Actions detrimental to stock car racing" rule violation.</div> <bR> <div> BUMP 2 - FOX COVERAGE</div> <bR> <div> My word! Can't we watch a 30-lap race without a commercial? HECK, sponsors are on the hood of these cars and every lap is a FREAKING COMMERCIAL! So, let's take a quick commercial and when we get back to racing, HEY a wreck! We missed it!</div> <bR> <div> Okay moving on, it's the last lap of the 1st segment of the Winston Open and the #49, #30 and the #1 are racing for the last position. FOX is showing the race between the THREE cars and as they go into turn 4, then SWITCH, let's show the #4 crossing the finish line ALONE!</div> <bR> <div> Now, LAST LAP, Rusty Wallace and Ricky Rudd are racing side by side around turn 4 for the last position during the 1st segment of "The Winston" - SWITCH - let's show the front of the pack and Tony Stewart crossing the finish line ALONE!</div> <div> Makes no sense to me!</div> <bR> <div> BUMP 3 - JEFF GORDON</div> <bR> <div> As a mind reader, here is what I am sure Jeff was thinking throughout the night.</div> <bR> <div> 1) Oh, oh, I'm loose! I'm going up the track, Sterling Marlin - PUNTED! Sorry dude!</div> <bR> <div> 2) DARN! (Looking in his mirror) That darn Dale Jr. is behind me on my tail. SHOOT he is so young and talented. I wonder why he did that video with Tony and not me. Oh, (coming out of his thought) oh, Ward Burton!!!! Sorry dude!</div> <bR> <div> 3) I am running so well. Yes, I have front damage but my car is a HOTROD! I am the man! S H O O T it's a WRECK in front of me! Tony hit Terry! I'll go low, hey, IS THE BRAKE ON THE LEFT OR RIGHT? I'll go with RIGHT, OOPS, I didn't see you there, right smack in front of me Dale Jarrett! Guess the brake is on the left! </div> <bR> <div> Maybe he should drive the truck! See YA, wouldn't want to be YA!</div> <bR> <div> If I was NASCAR - well, never mind!</div> <bR> <div> BUMP 4 - RESTARTS</div> <bR> <div> I understand the call on Steve Park receiving the black flag for jumping the start. I applaud the courage of the officials to commit such havoc at the beginning of the race.</div> <div> But, will someone explain to me why Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch did not get black flagged when they did it? Instead, the officials waived off the green flag and did a restart. So looking back I see - the green flag waived - Kevin and Kurt moved up and passed cars on the right, which under normal circumstances is a LEGAL MOVE and when you looked to the inside, whom do we see? Oh yes, Mr. Jimmie Johnson loosing several positions because HE did not get a clean restart. So, if you black flag Kevin and Kurt, for doing the same thing that Steve Park did earlier, Jimmie may not recover, BUT if we restart, Jimmie has another shot! WE ARE AT LOWES AND the Lowe's Motor Speedway gatekeeper Humpy Wheeler did predict Jimmie Johnson, the driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet to win.</div> <bR> <div> Who am I to call this a FIX?</div> <bR> <div> BUMP 5 - HUMPY WHEELER</div> <bR> <div> Humpy Wheeler the main man from Lowe's Motor Speedway, who basically is compensated from the track naming rights agreement with Lowe's, predicted the #48 Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse Chevrolet driven by Jimmie Johnson, would WIN "The Winston" and collect the million plus dollars at the Lowe's Motor Speedway! Well, it happened! But, it still sounds a bit like a conflict of interest to me! What would you say Mr. VP of Marketing?</div> <bR> <div> This is why I do not like corporate naming rights involving a track!</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>OVERALL</B></I></div> <bR> <div> Do you see it? Do you understand what an outsider is looking at when they peeked in on this "The Winston?" Although we did see some good racing at times, I would say NASCAR and the Lowe's Motor Speedway failed us as fans and failed the ever so important sponsors!</div> <bR> <div> As many did, I enjoyed Ryan Newman loosing his tempter over NOTHING! I enjoyed the side by side racing when FOX took the time to show it. I enjoyed the fireworks, seeing the faces of the pit crews and the wrecks. I also enjoyed hearing Ward Burton say in so many words about Jeff Gordon - what goes around, comes around. I love rivalry!</div> <bR> <div> In my eyes, WE need "The Winston." It's a GREAT race!</div> <bR> <div> But, if I were the man in charge, I would:</div> <bR> <div> - Listen to the drivers. I agree with Michael Waltrip - Don't race "The Winston" on a weekend. Move it to the Thursday before the Coca-Cola 600 and give another track like Texas a second race. - Remove the FAN invert voting and make it a lottery, that way no driver can predict their starting position during the last segment. - Take a driver, owner poll and if they want to keep the race at Lowe's Motor Speedway, GIVE IT TO THEM! It makes good financial sense, but it keeps the drivers happy! - Tell Humpy to SHUT UP! Just like last weekend, Jimmie Johnson won the race and yes, he deserved it. But, the entire association of Lowe's and Humpy caused a bad taste in many a mouths! - Instruct track officials to politely ask the FANS who are able to get standing passes at the stage during driver/team introductions to be courteous. Remind them that they represent the thousands of FANS in the stands and millions on TV are watching them. </div> <bR> <div> -Speaking of TV, I would have personally met with the FOX management and asked for an explanation of their bad broadcast! - I would instruct officials to run this race just like any other race - by the rules. - By the way, I would have summoned Jeff Gordon, Ward Burton, Sterling Marlin and Dale Jarrett to my office in the BIG RED TRAILER. Once they arrived, I would have looked at Ward, Sterling and Dale and said "He is all yours." I would have closed the door behind me!</div> <bR> <div> This weeks SPIN OUT goes to - "The Winston!" Another race like this could drive me to smoke!</div> <bR> <div> Keep it up Jerry! Get well and we are thinking about you!</div> <bR> <div> God Bless our Troops, our President and America!</div> <bR> <div> Until next week, happy bumping!</div> <bR> <div> Copyright 5/23/2003 </div> <div> by Mike Harper </div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#the_spin_out_zone" TITLE="Title 41"><U>Top of Page</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><U> <A NAME="jeff_hamond_s_jeff_green_remark_and"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></B></div> <div> <B><U>Jeff Hamond's Jeff Green Remark and Sophomore Jinx Get Bumped </U></B></div> <div> The Spin Out Zone</div> <bR> <div> By Mike Harper </div> <div> <U>SpinOutZone@aol.com </U></div> <div> 5/15/2003 </div> <bR> <div> Hold on - here is the bump and the SPIN OUT!</div> <bR> <div> Oh brother! Look out, Ryan Newman and Jimmie Johnson are not having the same type of season as they did last year.</div> <bR> <div> NASCAR.com's Marty Smith and his popular column "The Last Lap" found the issue important enough to write about and if you read it, we heard all kinds of opinions on the issue. PEOPLE, PEOPLE!</div> <bR> <div> The Mike Skinner's of Winston Cup, you know, the drivers who year after year find themselves always sitting outside the TOP 25, have got to feel like they have swallowed the sophomore jinx PILL and can't shake the sickness! If we were to label these guys like we do the sophomores, it would be called the "graduate jinx" or we could even get more technical with the term and name it "Runninginthebackofthepack Syndrome."</div> <bR> <div> Ryan and Jimmie had an awesome rookie year in 2002. It was true for many past rookies. To name a few, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth and Dale Jr. found great success during their rookie season. However, all did not really match their rookie success the next year. Did bad luck ferry climb into their car and cause havoc? Come on now, do you really think there is some type of NASCAR witch casting a SPELL on sophomore drivers? Do you also think professional wrestling is REAL?</div> <bR> <div> In most cases, a rookie is able to find early success because of two main reasons. First, the equipment they have been BLESSED with is among the best in the business and second, their expectations or their level of pressure is so much lower than others during that first year.</div> <bR> <div> Successful rookies find their sophomore year to be like climbing a non-ending mountain. Let's face it, in most situations the equipment remains the same, but the pressure and expectations are at an extreme level compared to their rookie year. As rookies, when things are going great, nothing could go wrong. When there is no pressure, a driver is relaxed and being in that rookie zone is where all drivers want to be. But, after a rookie has exceeded his rookie goals, just like Ryan, Jimmie, Kevin, Matt and Dale Jr. did, our expectations are even greater during their sophomore year. To me, they find more pressure during their sophomore year and pressure brings stress, stress brings frustration and frustration brings PROBLEMS. We've seen both Ryan and Jimmie show certain levels of frustration this year, unlike they did last year.</div> <bR> <div> The good news, the 2003 rookies are not matching the level of last year's rookies. Maybe, just maybe, they will turn the sophomore jinx around!</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>JEFF HAMMOND</B></I></div> <bR> <div> I admit, I get a real kick out of the Fox bunch. Larry, Darrell and Jeff make a great team and most of the time, their antics are entertaining. Except for today!</div> <bR> <div> As many of you know, Jeff Hammond responds to Speed Mail on FoxSports.com. NASCAR FANS can write to Larry and/or Jeff and ask questions and wait patiently for their response. Both NASCAR veterans are very knowledgeable about the sport and 75% of the time, I would concede they are correct in their analysis. In addition, my wife finds Jeff, well, you know, a STUD!</div> <bR> <div> In a question addressed to Jeff this week, TOBI from Canada asked Jeff about a recent trip Jeff took with the RCR bunch. In relation to communication, TOBI wanted to know if Jeff saw any type of "problems" when he was with Richard Childress, Kevin Harvick and Jeff Green. Basically, TOBI wanted to know if Jeff saw a communication failure between the RCR bunch prior to Richmond.</div> <bR> <div> Even though Jeff's response was acceptable concerning the question, Jeff went on to give his opinion about the Jeff Green situation. In his own words, Jeff said "You have to address this situation no differently than the way Alabama dealt with football coach Mike Price and Iowa State disciplined basketball coach Larry Eustachy. The "I-made-a-mistake-and-I'm-sorry. Can I go on?" excuse doesn't work these days."</div> <bR> <div> I about FELL OFF MY SEAT! I cannot believe Jeff Hammond is comparing the Jeff Green situation to the Alabama and Iowa State situation! Jeff, what in the heck are you smoking?</div> <bR> <div> For those of you who do not follow college sports or do not know what Jeff is talking about, here is his comparison.</div> <bR> <div> Mike Price was hired by the University of Alabama to coach their football team. He had not even coached a single game when he was representing the university at a pro-am golf tournament in Florida. While there, a married Mr. Price, YES married, allegedly spend time at a TOPLESS CLUB. It's reported that a female stayed with Mr. Price at his hotel room and one morning, the female ordered over $1,000 in food and drinks. All charged back to the university.</div> <bR> <div> After this situation was out in the media, other reports became public about Mr. Price purchasing alcohol for university students. Mr. Price apologized for his behavior, however the university fired him.</div> <bR> <div> Iowa State's basketball coach Larry Eustachy found himself in a similar situation. The Des Moines Register published embarrassing photographs of Mr. Eustachy partying and drinking with students at his apartment. Reports also mention that Mr. Eustachy did the same thing prior to a game in Kansas last year.</div> <bR> <div> Mr. Eustachy announced that he had an alcohol problem and that he was seeking treatment. The university worked out a deal with Mr. Eustachy where he would step down as the coach and in return, the university would pay him $110,000 for the remainder of 2003 and a lump severance package of $850,000 on January 1, 2004. Plus, he would be able to keep his health benefits to assist him with his treatment.</div> <bR> <div> Now, Jeff Green, NASCAR Winston Cup driver, became frustrated after Kevin Harvick SPUN him out. After Jeff removed himself from his car, he proceeded to Kevin's pits and had words with Kevin's crew chief. Jeff also had harsh words with Richard Childress, owner of Richard Childress Racing.</div> <bR> <div> Okay folks, do you agree with Jeff Hammond that all three situations need to be handled in the same fashion? Even though I do not agree with what Jeff Green did, it DOES NOT compare to the ignorance of what happened with the two university coaches!</div> <bR> <div> First, Jeff Green acted in frustration during the heat of the moment. The coaches, made a conscious decision to give alcohol to students and in the case of Mr. Price, cheat on his wife, do it while on university business and spend the universities money on women.</div> <bR> <div> If Jeff Hammond cannot see the difference, then people need to think nice and hard before taking advice from him!</div> <bR> <div> Jeff Hammond during The Winston race on Saturday night, should publicly apologize to Jeff Green for lumping him with a couple of low life university coaches, who care little for the students they teach and for the family they have at home.</div> <bR> <div> If you are a NASCAR FAN, a DEI FAN, a RCR FAN, a Jeff Green FAN and most importantly a Jeff Hammond FAN, you should email him and ask him to apologize for his comments!</div> <bR> <div> Drivers make mistakes and owners act in the best way they can. But, for Jeff Hammond to tie these three situations together was WRONG!</div> <bR> <div> This weeks SPIN OUT goes to - Jeff Hammond! Mr. Hammond, YOU just "made-a-mistake-and-I'm-sorry" Can YOU go on? YES! Just know the fact before you act!</div> <bR> <div> Get well Jerry!</div> <bR> <div> God Bless our Troops, our President and America!</div> <bR> <div> Until next week, happy bumping!</div> <bR> <div> Copyright 5/15/2003 </div> <div> by Mike Harper </div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#the_spin_out_zone" TITLE="Title 41"><U>Top of Page</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><U> <A NAME="jeff_green_and_dei_get_bumped_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></B></div> <div> <B><U>Jeff Green and DEI Get Bumped</U></B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> The Spin Out Zone</div> <bR> <div> By Mike Harper </div> <div> <U>SpinOutZone@aol.com </U></div> <div> 5/8/2003 </div> <bR> <div> Hold on - here is the bump and the SPIN OUT!</div> <bR> <div> Well folks, we all can thank Jeff Green and his temper tantrum for starting the 2003 Silly Season!</div> <bR> <div> After being SPUN OUT by his teammate Kevin Harvick during last weekends race in Richmond, Jeff paid a visit to Harvick's pit and had a few choice words for Happy Havick's crew chief, Todd Berrier. Then Jeff proceeded to exchange words with his EMPLOYER, Richard Childress. OUCH!</div> <bR> <div> If that wasn't enough, during several interviews Jeff BELITTLED the RCR organization by making some really bad "ONE CAR" comments and come Monday, Jeff was standing on the unemployment line. But, fortunately for Jeff, he was not standing there for very long.</div> <bR> <div> While the drama was playing out at RCR, business was heating up at Dale Earnhardt Incorporated. Seems Ty Norris and Theresa Earnhardt were drawing up the paperwork to AXE Steve Park from his #1 Pennzoil Chevrolet. How strange that just several hours after Jeff Green was fired from RCR, Steve Park was fired from DEI. In my eyes, it's all very coincidental. The only difference in the two situations is how Steve is staying behind the scenes while Jeff has been very vocal about his departure from RCR.</div> <bR> <div> Jeff has been critical of RCR and Kevin Harvick while Steve put out a statement of how he appreciated his opportunity to drive for DEI. Two drivers going through similar situations, handling it with two different professional attitudes.</div> <bR> <div> If you remember last May, the Silly Season rumor mill was cranking up about Steve Park just as it did this year. The Sporting News reported last year that Steve Park would be out of his ride and replaced by Elliott Sadler. At the time, Steve shared some words of wisdom and I agreed with him. In so many words, he said if DEI wanted to replace him with a better driver, GO FOR IT. But, don't make a lateral move with someone who has not proven himself in Winston Cup. </div> <div> DEI signed Steve to another year and the #1 Pennzoil team moved forward.</div> <div> One year later, DEI brings down the AXE, but do they improve the #1 Pennzoil team with a better driver? NO! DEI made a lateral move with someone who has not proved himself in Winston Cup!</div> <bR> <div> Since I draw my conclusions based on facts, you decide on what to believe after you read this! Currently Jeff Green sits 32nd in Winston Cup Points and has had one top 10 finish in 11 races. Steve Park sits 33rd in Winston Cup Points and has also had one top 10 finish in 11 races. Only seven points separate these two drivers in the Winston Cup Points.</div> <bR> <div> In 2002, Steve's average starting position was better than Jeff's, his average winnings were better than Jeff's and Steve found himself only 6 positions less in average finishing positions than Jeff. However keep in mind, Steve ran only 32 races last year compared to Jeff's 36 races.</div> <bR> <div> Now this year, Steve's average standing position is better by 10 positions, both Jeff and Steve are even on their average finishing position, Steve has a better starting position and a better average winnings. Obviously, DEI made a lateral move and maybe even downgraded. But why?</div> <bR> <div> NASCAR.com ran a survey asking visitors if they agreed with DEI on releasing Steve Park. I was among the 60 + percent that voted YES. I think Steve needs to get out of there and run like H E double L. Even though he was DEI's first real driver chosen by Dale Earnhardt himself, I think with the rise of Dale Jr. and with Michael Waltrip finding success, Steve and his team were the odd men out. It happens all the time.</div> <bR> <div> I honestly think Steve was ready to go and DEI was ready to let him go. It happened because the timing couldn't have been better. During an interview on Wednesday, Jeff Green said on Totally NASCAR on Fox Sports Net that Richard Childress made contact with DEI and worked it out for him. OKAY! Jeff embarrasses RCR and in return Richard Childress calls up his old friends at DEI. </div> <bR> <div> I image the conversation went like this:</div> <bR> <div> "Ty - Theresa, its RC. Listen, I have a problem, you have a problem. Both problems are signed into a contract and both problems are holding back our organizations. You want Green, I'll take Park and let's see what happens. Game? We'll label them both as intern drivers and all is good."</div> <bR> <div> Next thing we know, Green is out at RCR, Park is out at DEI, Green is in at DEI and soon I am sure we'll hear Park is in at RCR. Just like sand through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives!</div> <bR> <div> Jeff Green has proven that he respects his BOSS about as much as he does his SPONSOR. He doesn't. He pulled a Tommy Baldwin and chewed out his BOSS, the guy who signs his paycheck and found himself fired! I hope DEI is ready for a driver who has not proven himself in Winston Cup and has the AUDACITY to PUBLICLY take out his frustrations on a teammate's chew chief and his boss! After all these years in racing, you would think Jeff would know to take it behind the SHOP DOORS!</div> <bR> <div> Swapping drivers could be the only explanation for the lateral move at DEI. However, in the short term until Tony Stewart can get out of his contract at Joe Gibbs sometime in 2004, DEI stands to be the one who will feel the pain of letting go a driver who is still on a comeback. Remember all that trash talk back in Daytona between RCR and DEI, well RCR just tasted sweet revenge! For Jeff, if he thought RCR only had one car.</div> <bR> <div> This weeks SPIN OUT goes to - Jeff Green & DEI! Jeff will be going through the BIG D and I don't mean DALLAS!</div> <bR> <div> Get well Jerry!</div> <bR> <div> God Bless our Troops, our President and America!</div> <bR> <div> Until next week, happy bumping!</div> <bR> <div> Copyright 5/8/2003 </div> <div> by Mike Harper </div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#the_spin_out_zone" TITLE="Title 41"><U>Top of Page</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>