By now, everyone that follows NASCAR's top racing series is well aware of the Jarrett, Parrott divorce. Just like in any relationship fall-out, you'll hear from both sides and then their supporters. I think we would all agree, with the exception of each player having two R's and two T's in their last name, there is not much left in common between these guys concerning the success of the #88 UPS Ford team.

I do not consider myself a die-hard Dale Jarrett FAN and my preferred corporate shipper for 2003 is Airborne Express. However, we do both drive Ford's and I would purchase a car from his dealership if he was willing to have it delivered to Michigan. I agree with his politics and I truly think he is a man of integrity. He has the highest level of respect from his peers and is well loved by FANS. Would I vote for him if he ran for any public office? YES!

I've read and heard questions like "Why would Yates and Jarrett break up a team that is sitting 12th in Winston Cup points?" While it's a valid question, people need to understand Doug Yates and Dale Jarrett are being proactive. They have seen specific red flags and instead of waiting until they were 25th in points, they acted and for that I applaud them!

If you are a regular reader of The Spin Out Zone, you know I constantly BLAB about how some NASCAR teams aren't proactive and they seem to enjoy being comfortable sitting outside the Top 25 in points. I preach on how some teams don't seem to care about performance, rather settling on what they have and they continue to drive around collecting a paycheck until they retire or loose a sponsorship. WELL FOLKS, Dale Jarrett just showed the garage how it is done.

Dale understands that he is among the few who hold a MAJOR sponsorship and performance on the track determines ones level of success. Even when an owner employs TOP talent like Brad and Todd Parrott, when chemistry or trust has been broken, WORKING relationships must be broken.

I seen some pretty stupid stuff on the Internet this week and I come out now SHOUTING that I blame Brad and Todd Parrott for what has happened at Yates. I am sure they are really nice guys, but in some of my research, I've found red flags and I wasn't even in the shop!

First, I was really shocked that Brad found worked so fast after he was let go from Yates. Nothing like taking a few days to look in the mirror or spending some time thinking about what went wrong. He basically cleaned out his desk and walked over to Roush. Okay, so what, we can live with that!

Second, his comments after he joined Roush were rather surprising. Brad stated at a press conference while at Martinsville, "I can say one thing, I never once had the opportunity to put a Brad Parrott setup underneath the race car. "

I think if he had a Brad Parrott setup to put underneath the car, he may still have a job at Yates today. He never had the opportunity because he never had a setup in the first place. Brad admits their win at Rockingham earlier this year came from Elliott Sadler's team. After the race speaking about the #38 M&M's team sharing their notes, Brad said "They handed their book over to me," and "that won us the race."

Another situation that came up earlier this year reported by ThatsRacin.com was when Brad approached his father, veteran crew chief Buddy Parrott to help out the team. Regarding his father helping him out Brad said "I've asked him for a little background help as far as looking at race films and pit crew films and he said he'd think about the possibility of doing that."

Listen up Brad, I am among senior manager within a major U.S. industry. If I ever walked into a room where my staff was talking about corporate or team direction, I would not turn around and walk out! I would listen with an open mind and take notes. If I agreed, I would put their recommendations to the TEST and if I disagreed, I would step up to the plate and explain why my direction would work better for the team!

An article published on The Atlanta Journal - Constitution web site called "NASCAR Racing/Vent", I found where some bright minded person made this comment about the #88 team "Dale Jarrett and Robert Yates Racing fired their crew chief. So they had to take a provisional and their pit stops looked like a monkey having sex with a football. How'd that work out for ya? Not too good!"

This person must be really SICK to know what a monkey having sex with a football looks like! I would like to remind this person that the #88 UPS team finished in the TOP 20. Just to prove how talented this #88 UPS team is, even without a full time crew chief they finished in front of the current Winston Cup points leader Matt Kenseth and other top drivers like Kurt Busch, Ryan Newman and Michael Waltrip. Climbing up hill the way they did in their current situation proves that with the RIGHT crew chief, this team is to be watched!

Doug Yates and Dale Jarrett may have opened a NEW can of worms for other teams. If Yates, Jarrett and UPS are not willing to settle with the 13th position in Winston Cup points, just image what a team like Rusty Wallace may do here in the near future. I don't see a great trusting relationship between Rusty and his crew chief Bill Wilburn. Changes could be coming and it may very well be Todd Parrott. Time will tell.

I see Robin as a strong choice, but strangely we all may be very surprised. I agree with those who say whoever it is, it needs to be someone who has a proven record or who has a WIN in the Winston Cup Series. Questions like, is Frank Stoddard happy at Bill Davis Racing? Will Paul Andrews feel pressure from Brad Parrott if Brad doesn't walk out on team discussions? Maybe, just maybe, Dale will look at the Busch Series for some talent like Bobby Kennedy who is the crew chief for Michael Waltrip.

Before we get bumping, let me send out a BIG congratulations to Ricky Craven and his TIDE team. For those who have not noticed, the TIDE team is one of three single car teams in the TOP 20 in Winston Cup points. HECK, they are the only single car team in the TOP 10 in Winston Cup points and only 11 points from the TOP 5. The TIDE team is the only PONTIAC in the TOP 10, replacing Johnny Benson who has slid down the point's scale recently. I am impressed with this TIDE team and they seem to be getting stronger each week. WAY TO GO and THUMBS UP to the TIDE team!

"From my vantage point, (Earnhardt) came across the flat, which would be below the yellow line, up through traffic and almost body slammed whoever was inside of me," was Jimmie Johnson's words after the race last Sunday. He also said "I thought we had a shot at the win, but things got really shuffled when Junior made his pass. I watched him drive across the flat up onto the track."

I've got to tell you, I have a real problem with how Jimmie raced last weekend. First, I must question the accuracy of his comments. How can someone driving 180 plus miles per hour, have Matt Kenseth racing to your inside, see Dale Jr. who was at the inside of Matt, go below the yellow line? From what I understand, turning your head to look over your shoulder when racing is pretty hard to do with the equipment these CATS wear. So Jimmie, what kind of VANTAGE point is that? If you were watching what Dale Jr. was doing on the flat of the track, maybe that is why you were shuffled back.

Second, I feel Jimmie hurt his Hendrick teammates. At one point in the race, all four teammates had the top 4 inside positions. Jimmie was the lucky one to lead this group and from past experience, we all know when you have your teammates together, normally you are going to be successful at DEGA. However while Jimmie led, Dale Jr. came up to the outside. Instead of staying in line with his teammates, Jimmie chose to block Dale Jr. He lost his draft, as Dale Jr. moved down to the inside of Jimmie to counter move Jimmie's block, all four teammates got shuffled around and lost their top positions. Just listening in to his radio conversation, he seemed to concentrate more on keeping Dale Jr. behind him than racing the race with his teammates. I am sure after the race and behind close doors, Jeff took Jimmie and explained how DEGA works. I would bet the next time they visit DEGA, Jimmie will run it a bit differently. Patience young Jimmie, patience.

Did Dale Jr. go below the yellow line? YES. In the same position, would Jeff Gordon, Rusty Wallace, or Bill Elliott get the black flag? NO. Why? Well, because many drivers influence this series and popularity just like back in the days of high school rule the land. If it would have been Jimmie Johnson, Johnny Benson or Elliott Sadler, guess what? Back of the pack you'd go!

NASCAR made some real bad decisions back in Texas. With Vickers Gate and Gordon Gate hot in our minds, NASCAR erred on the side of caution this time at DEGA regarding Dale Jr. going below the line. He's popular, he accomplished so much during the race, it was the end of the race and he was going for his fourth straight DEGA win including the DEGA sweep after his win in the Busch Series on Saturday. Would you want to be the one to flush that down the toilet? HECK NO! Was it a good call? To be honest, I am not sure. But, because many of us are not sure, NASCAR felt like no one could really fight them on it.

If you are a Dale Jr. FAN, it was the right call. If you are not a Dale Jr. FAN or a Jimmie Johnson FAN, then it was a bad call. Jimmie Johnson said after the race "Anybody else who ever dances down there gets in trouble." I agree with Jimmie on this, unless your name is Dale Jr., Jeff Gordon, Rusty Wallace or Bill Elliott.

As a driver you have to pay your dues and in all cases, the popular drivers pays NASCAR'S dues. Let's face it, if the drivers aren't popular, there are no FANS in the stands. If there were no FANS in the stands, then there would be no NASCAR. We all know there are more Dale Jr. and Jeff Gordon FANS in the stands than Greg Biffle FANS. A questionable call will always go in favor of the popular driver. If it doesn't, NASCAR comes out and apologizes for a bad decision, just like they did to Jeff Gordon regarding the race in Texas. Look at the

I really can't say if the call was correct or not, I do however, have to question why NASCAR would even put themselves into this situation. Why would they stress over this issue about a Yellow Line Rule. What in the HECK is this rule anyway?

NOW IT GETS GOOD! They only use the Yellow Line Rule at Daytona and Talladega to prevent drivers from passing cars to the inside hoping that it will minimize accidents. The way NASCAR interprets the rule is actually quite gray and shady. Gray because NASCAR will always have the last say on the ruling. Gray because unless you are one of the top revenue drivers, it will lead to a black flag. And, shady because just like the Vickers ruling back in Texas, it's one of those rules where NASCAR looks at driver intention.

NASCAR works very hard on keeping the playing field level for all teams and drivers. Their payroll just for officials alone has got to be enormous to ensure they meet these goals. But, by putting gray rules in place, NASCAR puts themselves into an area where anyone, drivers or owners, FANS or critics can always question their integrity.

These drivers believe it or not are BIG BOYS. I vote to GET RID of the Yellow Line Rule. If a driver makes a mistake, they will end up being accountable. Being accountable to ones peers is sometimes a much harsher penalty. Nothing is worst than being on another drivers BLACK LIST. I am sure any driver would rather fork out a fine than be on several drivers black list. One measurement of success is to have the respect and trust of your peers. If a driver endangers others by passing below the yellow line or punting someone into a wall enough times, then they'll loose the respect and trust and ultimately they will not succeed in NASCAR. This rule should be revoked and any driver who can get under someone cleanly without issue should take the position without controversy.

Before I tackle the topics of the day did anyone see Rich Mason's column this week on Inside The Pit Box? Rich decided to attack our (Racindeals.com) own Michael Daly. I guess Rich disagreed with Michael's last column so much that he dedicated all his time to it. Man, I wish someone would spend that much time on my column! Michael you've got to share your secret with the rest of us! Just for the record Michael, I do not think you are "full of it." Hey, good thing we live in a FREE COUNTRY! FREEDOM to express our opinion.

What in tar-nation happened last weekend? Let's first address this so called "gentleman's agreement." As many of you know, when a caution flag comes out, it's common practice for the leader of the race to slow down and allow lapped cars by so they can make up a lap. Also, drivers normally stay in their current position until they reach the caution flag, thus giving us the famous term "gentleman's agreement."

Many including Jeff Gordon and Allen Bestwick, NBC's answer to Fox's Mike Joy, believe that a rule should be implemented freezing the field so no one can race back to the caution flag, basically vetoing the "gentleman's agreement" and making it law. Well, why is this now the hot topic? Because this past weekend, when a caution flag came out, the leader of the race Matt Kenseth slowed down to allow his teammate back on the lead lap. Jeff Gordon who at the time was running in second place passed Matt to prevent anyone from making up a lap. Well, needless to say, Jeff trashed the "gentleman's agreement" and NASCAR after reviewing the situation, pushed Jeff back to second place and allowed Matt's actions of letting two other cars who passed him back on the lead lap hold up. This week, NASCAR admitted they made a bad call and Jeff should have been given the lead.

Bottom line, NASCAR messed up. Sorry Jeff and Allen, no new caution flag rule needs to be implemented! Adding another rule to make a few behave is the wrong answer. I know another argument is that it would make the sport safer because some drivers loose their head and race back to the caution. Okay, so what? Part of racing is ceasing on the opportunity. Timing is part of the strategy and if a driver is in position to give back a lap to another driver or teammate, then so be it! If you are a lead lap car, you know lapped cars are coming and they are coming fast. HECK, move out of the way. Yes, a caution flag means there is danger on the race track, but that is why teams have spotters, to assist the driver in getting through whatever situation lies in front of them. My thought is Jeff choose to trash the "gentleman's agreement" and you know what, he'll need to live by his decision. He is a big boy! Get a grip Jeff you don't need a rule, you need to play nice with others!

Every driver who has been a lap-down wishes for a caution. They want that opportunity to make up their lap. This even goes for Jeff Gordon. I've seen Jeff race hard back to the caution flag when he's been down a lap and I have seen him as the leader let a teammate back on the lead lap. It's racing people! So Jeff, since you do not want to allow others to get their lap back, don't expect help when you need it. The "gentleman's agreement" can still be valid for those who live by it. So PEOPLE, leave it alone and let the drivers be accountable to their peers. Believe me, what goes around comes around. Its called DRAMA!

As for NASCAR, they played BIG BROTHER on Sunday and put their nose into a situation where they had no authority and they admitted to it later in the week. However, even worst, on Saturday they messed up on the Brian Vickers incident. I totally agree with Fox's Larry McReynolds. Brian was not trying to advance his position. He was the lead car, behind a car at the tail end of the lead lap. Even if he passed him before the start/finish line he would have not advanced his position. Facts show, he did not pass the car before the start/finish line and for NASCAR to claim they have the POWER to get into someone's mind and tell us what their intent was HACKS ME OFF! HECK maybe they should be making money in another profession. This STINKS and because they made a horrible call, Brian Vickers was blacked flagged, sent to the back and once the race restarted, got caught in a crash ending his day. Talking about kicking someone when they are down. BAD CALL NASCAR! NO SOUP FOR YOU!

So who won? Yes sir, its front row Joe, Joe Nemechek. Now get this! After the race Joe's car was found to have an illegal front left spring, It failed inspection and Joe's wife whose name is listed as the car owner, was fined $25,000. Joe's crew chief Eric Phillips, was fined $5,000 and will serve a suspension, missing the next two races including any NASCAR event through April 16th. In other words, YOU CHEATED! We've seen illegal springs before haven't we Mr. Roush? NASCAR needs to put a stop to performance enhancing infractions not by fines, but by suspension, point reduction and position reduction. Kind of like what they did to Kenny Wallace at DEGA when he went below the line. Instead of finishing 5th, they shoved him back several positions. In Joe's case here, the win should be taken away and given to Scott Riggs! Rules are rules and if you use an illegal part, you cheated. NASCAR seems to concentrate on stopping drivers from using bad words and throwing someone on probation for pointing a finger in another drivers face, but when you cheat, heck fine them, collect the money and we'll call it good! COMMON NASCAR!