Title 49

<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> <div> <A HREF="id49_m.htm#the_spin_out_zone" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Title 49"><U>Top of Page</U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFF00" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="7" COLOR="#262626" FACE="Comix" > <A NAME="the_spin_out_zone"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></FONT><FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#262626" FACE="KidTYPEPaint" >The</FONT><FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#000000" FACE="KidTYPEPaint" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="KidTYPEPaint" >Spin</FONT> <FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#111111" FACE="KidTYPEPaint" >Out</FONT> <FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="KidTYPEPaint" >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> | <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>August 2004 Columns</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#driver_revenge_at_bristol_gets_bumped_" TITLE="Title 49"><U>Driver Revenge at Bristol Gets Bumped </U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#richard_childress_racing_s_31_gets" TITLE="Title 49"><U>Richard Childress Racing's #31 Gets Bumped</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#mexico_city_fiesta_gets_bumped_" TITLE="Title 49"><U>Mexico City Fiesta Gets Bumped </U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#big_blue_bottle_blunder_gets_bumped_" TITLE="Title 49"><U>Big Blue Bottle Blunder Gets Bumped</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="driver_revenge_at_bristol_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>Driver Revenge at Bristol Gets Bumped </U></B></div> <div> The Spin Out Zone</div> <bR> <div> By Mike Harper </div> <div> <U>SpinOutZone@aol.com </U></div> <div> 8/26/2004 </div> <bR> <div> Hold on - here is the bump and the SPIN OUT!</div> <bR> <div> Welcome to Bristol week. As drivers prepare for short track bumper to bumper racing, fans are eager to catch three amazing nights of racing that should leave some drivers happy and some drivers down right mad. Wednesday night on Speed TV fans can watch the Craftsman Truck Series, on Friday night Busch Series racing is on TNT and on Saturday night, the big guns of the NEXTEL Cup Series hits TNT as well.</div> <bR> <div> There is something special about Bristol night racing. Even non-NASCAR fans watch this spectacle because its more than just 43 cars going around in a circle, its 43 cars jammed into a blender bouncing off each other and the last one standing, wins.</div> <bR> <div> Fans without a doubt will see cautions, blown tires, wrecked cars, tempers, smoke, maybe a few rule violations and a gesture or two involving a driver's finger, you know - one driver to another motioning that he is number one.</div> <div> This week's NEXTEL CUP Series Bristol race is unlike any prior August Bristol race, this one in particular brings added stress to many drivers because this could make or break their chances at participating in the Chase for the NEXTEL Cup. With just three races to get inside the top 10 in points or within 400 points of the leader, a bad night in Bristol could end championship dreams.</div> <bR> <div> The physical style of racing that Bristol is so famous for, could end up giving a driver who is outside the championship chase an opportunity at sweet revenge. Bristol Motor Speedway is the ultimate "pay them back" track where drivers open up their black books to see who has done them wrong in the past. For most drivers, revenge is not in the game plan. However, once the race begins and a driver falls back behind the leader with little chance to win, revenge on a rival driver could become a reality.</div> <bR> <div> Starting Friday night in the Busch Series race several drivers could find themselves tempted at putting the bumper to a rival. The damage of taking one out of championship contention isn't as great as it is in the NEXTEL Cup Series, but we should keep our eyes open for revenge.</div> <bR> <div> One rivalry in the Busch Series that could result in some fun viewing is that of David Stremme and Kevin Harvick. Stremme, driver of the #32 Trim Spa Dodge has vowed revenge against Harvick, driver of the #21 Reese's Chevrolet. This is from an incident that happened earlier in the year when Harvick punted Stremme into the wall. If Stremme finds himself out of contention for the win, look for him to pay back the favor.</div> <bR> <div> Michael Waltrip and Jason Leffler left some unfinished business on the track back in July at Daytona. Waltrip, driving the #99 Aaron's Chevrolet was leading the race on the last lap. The #00 Haas Chevrolet driven by Leffler nailed Waltrip on the backstretch and sent Waltrip skidding off the track. At Bristol the speeds are slower and Waltrip could find a window of opportunity for revenge. Normally Waltrip doesn't race that way, but Bristol can bring out the side of a driver that we normally don't see.</div> <bR> <div> Other driver rivalries that could be highlighted on Friday night include Kenny Wallace and Ashton Lewis, Jason Keller and Kyle Busch and Ron Hornaday and Justin Labonte.</div> <bR> <div> It will be worth the time to watch the race on Friday night, so fire up the TIVO and enjoy.</div> <bR> <div> The big race on Saturday night will be just as interesting, if not more, than Friday night's race. In my opinion, the NEXTEL Cup Series event at Bristol Motor Speedway will change the face of the points system for several drivers in the 9th through 15th point positions. It is so easy to be caught in the wrong place at the wrong time during this event that one small mistake by a non-contender can take out several cars. Other scenarios include teammates of those drivers in the top 10 in championship points causing havoc or again the revenge factor of upset drivers.</div> <bR> <div> Look for Sterling Marlin driver of the #40 Coors Dodge to lay the bumper on Greg Biffle, driver of the #16 National Guard Ford. Biffle spun out Marlin at Watkins Glen a few weeks ago. An angry Marlin who called Biffle a "bug-eyed dummy" will have this on his mind at Bristol.</div> <bR> <div> Remember the Chicagoland incident where Tony Stewart got into the back of Kasey Kahne? We saw an ugly pit road incident. Our attention was drawn to that incident and so the crash between Robby Gordon and Jeff Green basically went unnoticed. Well, Jeff Green remembers and Green could do NEXTEL a favor by taking out the Cingular Wireless car. Green drives the #43 Petty Dodge and Gordon drives the #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet.</div> <bR> <div> Brian Vickers driver of the #25 Chevrolet and Tony Stewart driver of the #20 Home Depot Chevrolet have made many in the garage angry, so keep an eye out to see if they end up kissing the wall on more than one occasion.</div> <bR> <div> I do not condone driver revenge on the racetrack, but one thing is for sure, if it happens I won't be turning the channel. The drama of these rivalries keeps the races interesting, especially at Bristol. The Bristol race brings excitement and it does give a driver who has been done wrong in the past by a fellow driver, a chance of taking NASCAR law into his own hands.</div> <bR> <div> NASCAR is changing, but one thing that won't change is a driver's ability to do their own prosecuting at Bristol Motor Speedway.</div> <bR> <div> This week's SPIN OUT goes to the - Driver Revenge at Bristol!</div> <bR> <div> God Bless our Troops, our President and America!</div> <bR> <div> Until next week, happy bumping!</div> <bR> <div> Copyright 8/26/2004 </div> <div> by Mike Harper </div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#the_spin_out_zone" TITLE="Title 49"><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> <div> <B><U> <A NAME="richard_childress_racing_s_31_gets"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></B></div> <div> <B><U>Richard Childress Racing's #31 Gets Bumped </U></B></div> <div> The Spin Out Zone</div> <bR> <div> By Mike Harper </div> <div> <U>SpinOutZone@aol.com </U></div> <div> 8/19/2004 </div> <bR> <div> Hold on - here is the bump and the SPIN OUT!</div> <bR> <div> Robby Gordon is the driver of Richard Childress Racing's #31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet and in one word I believe I can describe his current situation at RCR, that word is lonely.</div> <bR> <div> Starting with the Michigan weekend in August, Gordon will welcome a new teammate to the RCR stable. Jeff Burton comes to RCR from Roush Racing after a long courtship that really started the rumor mill humming last year.</div> <bR> <div> Burton had become experienced in refuting the RCR rumors. In October 2003, the rumor of Burton going over to RCR began to heat up the Internet. The Richmond Times Dispatched reported that Burton said, "Now I'm going somewhere else to drive. I don't know how the rumors get started. I do talk to Richard Childress. I don't talk about driving his race car, but I have conversations with Richard Childress."</div> <bR> <div> In a December 2003 Roush Racing press release, Burton again addressed the rumor of him leaving Roush Racing by saying, "My commitment to Roush Racing is strong. I have said all along that Roush is where I want to be and that's where I'm staying."</div> <bR> <div> Burton earlier this year appeared on Speed TV's Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain and again Burton was asked about the rumor of him going over to the RCR stable, however this rumor was more specific to him taking over Gordon's #31 Cingular Wireless car. Burton again said he is not sure why his name keeps coming up with RCR rumors, as he has not discussed a ride with team owner Richard Childress. Additionally, Burton denied reports he was leaving Roush Racing for the #31 RCR ride or any ride.</div> <bR> <div> Here we are today and though he denied any part of leaving Roush Racing, Burton will drive for RCR and his addition to the team brings more questions than answers.</div> <bR> <div> Burton joins Robby Gordon and Kevin Harvick driver of the #29 Goodwrench Chevrolet as RCR drivers competing in the NEXTEL Cup Series. It's an assembled group of drivers that at one time had either on track or off track incidents with each other.</div> <bR> <div> The Gordon and Harvick relationship is well documented. The two drivers have encountered many on track incidents as teammates mainly instigated by Gordon including an incident in the Busch Series where Gordon as a lap down car ran Harvick who was leading the race, up the track causing Harvick to loose the race. It was a shame to see Harvick loose the race due to issues with a lap down car, but to a Cup Series teammate? To make the matter worst, Gordon who owns his Busch Series team did it to Harvick who was driving an RCR car. Gordon single handily took the win away from a Cup Series teammate and the owner of his Cup Series car.</div> <bR> <div> Gordon's incidents do not end with Harvick and owner Richard Childress, he also has seen his share of incidents with Burton. In last years Richmond race, Burton got into Gordon and accidentally wrecked him. Burton went out of his way to apologize to Gordon by looking for any microphone offered up by the media. However, Gordon wasn't so forgiving. On his radio communication Gordon promised to wreck Burton in the next two-weeks and Gordon said afterwards "It was totally immature on his side." Gordon continued with "I gave him room. We had a good car. I'm disappointed he has to race like that because I raced him clean. I guess he felt like he had to dump me." It was also reported that Gordon said about Burton, "he's gonna get a black eye and I will pay the $25,000."</div> <bR> <div> In April of this year, Gordon stated in an interview about the rumor of Burton taking over his #31 RCR ride, "Let's see, if you're going to say Ryan Newman was released and he's going to be driving the 31 car, that sounds pretty good." Gordon continued, "I'm pretty sure that Jeff Burton is 30th in points and I'm 25th, so if you're going to replace me, at least get the right guy."</div> <bR> <div> My point is Gordon has very little respect for Jeff Burton and now that Burton is his teammate, I do not see anything changing. In my opinion, Gordon is no longer a good fit for RCR. Many factors may come into play, but one reason sticks out like a sore thumb and it's his lack of respect for teammates and owner.</div> <bR> <div> To make this situation even more interesting, the sponsors of the #30 and #31 from the RCR stable are set to expire at the end this season. AOL the sponsor of the #30 car will enjoy Jeff Burton for the rest of the 2004 season. However, I am hearing that AOL will not resign with RCR unless Childress is willing to establish performance goals for the team and tie the goals to the terms of a new contract. Childress is hesitant to do this so AOL may be out shopping for a new team. On the other hand, Cingular Wireless the sponsor of the #31 car is in a difficult situation regarding their contract with RCR and continuing their marketing campaign in NASCAR's NEXTEL Cup Series. NASCAR's contract with NEXTEL, who is the title sponsor, prohibits competing telecommunications companies from sponsoring cars in the NEXTEL Cup Series. Sponsorships such as Cingular and ALLTEL were allowed to compete because they were grandfathered in since they sponsored cars prior to NEXTEL signing their contract with NASCAR. But, Cingular or ALLTEL may not leave and come back or leave to sponsor another car. This means if Cingular wants to stay in NASCAR's premier series, they must stay with RCR.</div> <bR> <div> I believe Richard Childress made a statement when he hired Burton. He believes Burton can win a championship in the premier series of NASCAR. I believe Childress respects Gordon as a driver, but at the end of the day he knows Burton can take his team to the next level while Gordon is a 15th to 20th place driver in the championship points chase.</div> <bR> <div> I base this on Childress' recent comments. In regards to Burton joining RCR, Childress said, "He's a championship caliber driver," while his confidence in Gordon was revealed when he said, "Robby Gordon is great racecar driver. He's a lot of fun to be around. Right now he's an RCR driver, and we're going to see what's up for next year."</div> <bR> <div> In other words Childress was saying, Gordon is not a "championship caliber driver" and he is with us "right now" and we'll "see what's up for next year."</div> <bR> <div> Even Gordon isn't too optimistic about his future at RCR. He recently said, "I had my own IndyCar team at Indy, we were the best Chevrolet team there, so there's no reason we can't do a Cup car if that's what we needed to do. We'll see what happens here in the next few weeks. " He also added, "I've enjoyed working for Richard. I've had a lot of fun doing it. As of right now, I plan on continuing doing that next year."</div> <bR> <div> Another huge hint that something is happening at RCR is found in Burton's hiring. It is known that Burton was willing to leave his ride at Roush Racing because he was unsure about the future of his #99 ride, even though Roush promised to take care of him. So, why would he leave an unsure situation at Roush for another unsure situation at RCR? If AOL's sponsorship were set to expire in 2004, why would Burton take it? The only reason is because Childress knows he can move Burton into the #31 if needed because he is "championship caliber." He will protect Burton and Gordon is left without a ride. It's a pretty clear picture now don't you think?</div> <bR> <div> In the end, Gordon's attitude has been his own worst enemy. I agree with Childress, Gordon is a great driver, but not at the same level of his peers. The RCR organization has been built around the #29 car driven by Kevin Harvick and while Harvick is currently in the chase for the championship, Gordon still runs in the same point's position as he has since 2002, in the 19th and 20th positions.</div> <bR> <div> The upside with Burton is greater because unlike Gordon, Burton will be a dedicated driver to RCR. Burton will compete for RCR in the Busch Series and not against RCR and he is experienced in teammate etiquette and this will work for the good of the organization. Instead of one team in the championship chase, Burton will provide additional opportunities and he will bring a willingness to advance the entire organization unlike Gordon who seems to have an "all about me" attitude.</div> <bR> <div> I believe if Gordon put as much effort in building internal relationships with teammates as he does in beating the internal relationships on the track, he would be one heck of a "championship caliber" driver. It's the "all me" attitude that takes it away. Start a Cup team? Oh, brother!</div> <bR> <div> This week's SPIN OUT goes to the - Robby Gordon!</div> <bR> <div> God Bless our Troops, our President and America!</div> <bR> <div> Until next week, happy bumping!</div> <bR> <div> Copyright 8/19/2004 </div> <div> by Mike Harper<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#the_spin_out_zone" TITLE="Title 49"><U>Top of Page</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><U> <A NAME="mexico_city_fiesta_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>Mexico City Fiesta Gets Bumped </U></B></div> <div> The Spin Out Zone</div> <bR> <div> By Mike Harper </div> <div> <U>SpinOutZone@aol.com </U></div> <div> 8/13/2004 </div> <bR> <div> Hold on - here is the bump and the SPIN OUT!</div> <bR> <div> The NASCAR fan has witnessed many changes over the past 12 months. This time last year the topic of discussion was track safety crews and now today the hot topic is Powerade, Mexico City and the driver's frantic efforts to race into the top 10 in NEXTEL Cup Series points.</div> <bR> <div> This season NASCAR has tested their fan's dedication to the sport by changing rules, terminating race tracks from the schedule and revamping the point system all in an effort to excite the base. Controversy, criticism and praise has followed each change from both fans and drivers, however at the end of the day I believe most clear thinking individuals see the ultimate goal of NASCAR and their desire to grow the sport.</div> <bR> <div> This brings me to their latest change within the NASCAR Busch Series. NASCAR introduced the 2005 NASCAR Busch Series schedule and for the first time it included a race in Mexico City at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez road course. The change included expanding the race schedule from 34 races in 2004 to 35 races in 2005.</div> <bR> <div> NASCAR executives are proud of this latest accomplishment. NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France said "Mexico has a long tradition in motorsports, and we are thrilled that NASCAR is now part of it." NASCAR Chief Operating Officer George Pyne chimed in with "Another benefit to NASCAR's initiative in Mexico is a long-term commitment to embrace Mexican fans throughout Mexico and the U.S."</div> <bR> <div> In my opinion, the days of the "National Association" are long gone. The NA in NASCAR can be changed to "North American" or we can get real creative with NASCAR being seen in more than 150 countries, we can just change it to WASCAR - the World Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. Sounds like a wrestling event to me!</div> <bR> <div> No doubt this sport is popular and growing, but racing in Mexico is in my view the wrong road to take. Call me a proud American, but one reason I adore this sport is because of the Red, White and Blue pride that stands behind this sport. With corporations sending jobs outside the country, we viewed NASCAR as a true all-American sport. However, reaching past our borders will ultimately change the face of the sport and as a result of this I believe the dedicated, long-time NASCAR fan will look elsewhere for stock-car racing.</div> <bR> <div> I can see some wealthy business investors who have a passion for American stock car racing jumping in and taking over a lower racing series and creating a racing program that is much more cost effective than NASCAR. Who knows, maybe ARCA could be what NASCAR is today without Mexico. It could happen.</div> <bR> <div> Let's face it people, NASCAR is taking good American jobs south of the border. NASCAR does a wonderful job contributing to local economies and when they added a race to the 2005 schedule, you would think they would have stayed home. With the current state of the economy and the realization of terrorism, common sense tells me going to a country that has a major problem with crime and immigration is something not recommended. One even wonders what will happen to NASCAR's special tax provision that they receive from our government when they start doing business outside of the country.</div> <bR> <div> FitzBradshaw Racing co-owner Armando Fitz said about the addition of Mexico City to the schedule, "I'm thrilled about the prospects of racing in Mexico as part of NASCAR's efforts to attract Mexican-American fans. This effort truly highlights our sport's interest in establishing a strong relationship with the Hispanic community." Ed Rensi co-owner of Team Rensi Motorsports added, "Big, new markets mean big, new opportunities for our team and our sport. Our team can't wait to go racing in Mexico City."</div> <bR> <div> These remarks come from team owners who run programs funded by the American taxpayer. FitzBradshaw Racing runs the #14 NAVY Chevrolet and Team Rensi Motorsports runs the #25 Marines Ford, both cars are in the NASCAR Busch Series.</div> <bR> <div> I have a hard time believing that there is a benefit for these Military branches in Mexico City. The Military sponsors these cars for recruitment opportunities and they rely on more than just the TV coverage. My guess and hope is that both teams will not use our tax money to sponsor cars to race in Mexico City.</div> <div> In addition to the sponsorship issues, these Busch Series teams will find it difficult to fund the trip to Mexico City. First, they will need to invest in building new road-racing cars. As Busch Series driver Kenny Wallace said on Speed TV's Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain, he does not favor the Mexico City race and it could add $150,000 in expenses to his team. In addition to building new cars, teams will need to test and teams will need to move their equipment from the Charlotte area to Mexico City. The logistics alone will cause major heartburn because the race prior to Mexico City is in California.</div> <bR> <div> In my view, the financial issues caused by the Mexico City race will force NASCAR to change the Busch Series point system. Imagine a mid-level team running in the top 10 in points, but because of the cost of this one race, they skip it and their championship run ends as a direct result of it. This leads me to believe that NASCAR will change the Busch Series point system mirroring that of the NEXTEL Cup Series system.</div> <bR> <div> Other issues arise in going south of the border. Insurance for the haulers and drivers motorhomes are going to add to a team's operational expense. According to the State Department, "U.S. automotive liability insurance is considered invalid in Mexico, nor is most collision and comprehensive coverage issued by U.S. companies. If you are involved in an accident, you will be taken into police custody until it can be determined who is liable."</div> <bR> <div> Grab a map and take a look at the route. Then visit the State Department's web page and look at the travel warning regarding Mexico. If I were the one hauling the equipment, I'd ask for a raise and hire a bodyguard! This isn't Cancun and there are no sunny beaches in route to Mexico City.</div> <bR> <div> Some owners may try to fly their cars into Mexico City and stay in local hotels, but all that would do is increase the cost. In the short term, I believe NASCAR's under funded teams will be left behind and forced to sit this one out.</div> <div> I'm trying to be open minded about this venture. This very well may be the ultimate beta race test to see if NASCAR will work in Mexico City without putting the NEXTEL Cup Series teams and sponsors at financial risk. If that is the case, I'll try to understand NASCAR's "testing the Mexico waters" approach. But, to be honest if Mexico wants stock car racing, I say let them develop it on their own. Canada did it and God love them for it! If Mexico wants drivers to race in NASCAR, then have them come north and join in our fun.</div> <bR> <div> I am sure it will be a great time for drivers to experience road racing in another country, but this American will miss the Military show during the pre-race ceremony. I will try to hold my chin high as we listen to the Mexican national anthem and I will sit on the edge of my couch and hope they don't take away the pre-race prayer.</div> <bR> <div> I'm more disappointed in NASCAR for this decision than I was about them changing the points system or the Powerade controversy. It's no secret that we have Busch Series cars driving in a circle with no sponsors and instead of solving today's issues, NASCAR creates another major issue for teams, all in an effort to get bigger. Sometimes bigger isn't better and sometimes the bigger you are, the harder you fall.</div> <bR> <div> This week's SPIN OUT goes to the - Mexico City Fiesta!</div> <bR> <div> God Bless our Troops, our President and America!</div> <bR> <div> Until next week, happy bumping!</div> <bR> <div> Copyright 8/13/2004 </div> <div> by Mike Harper </div> <div> <A HREF="#the_spin_out_zone" TITLE="Title 49"><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> <div> <B><U> <A NAME="big_blue_bottle_blunder_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>Big Blue Bottle Blunder Gets Bumped </U></B></div> <div> The Spin Out Zone</div> <bR> <div> By Mike Harper </div> <div> <U>SpinOutZone@aol.com </U></div> <div> 8/5/2004 </div> <bR> <div> Hold on - here is the bump and the SPIN OUT!</div> <bR> <div> In my opinion, protecting the image of a NASCAR sponsor is long overdue. Sadly, I am convinced that a small number of drivers and some elite NASCAR media members do not understand the value of a sponsorship. Without sponsorships, those drivers and complaining media heads would have no job in this sport that relies so heavily on their money. I say it's about time and I applaud NASCAR for taking a stand on this issue.</div> <bR> <div> The practice of knocking off blue Powerade bottles from the roof of the winning car has been a topic for quite some time. I made it an issue back in September 2003. In a communication with Powerade at that time their approach was simple, they allowed the practice without causing waves within NASCAR. At the time, Jimmie Johnson driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet and Matt Kenseth driver of the #17 Dewalt Ford were perpetual offenders of knocking the bottles off the top of the car in Victory Lane. They did this to support their personal sponsorship with Gatorade, a rival sports drink to Powerade.</div> <bR> <div> Powerade and Gatorade join Home Depot and Lowe's as one of the fiercest marketing battles in NASCAR. It wasn't too long ago when Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, a track sponsored by Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse, took Home Depot sponsored Tony Stewart merchandise off the shelves from their track store. There was such an outcry from fans that Lowe's found an area in the back of the store to sell Home Depot merchandise.</div> <bR> <div> This marketing battle between Powerade and Gatorade seems to be much bigger and heated than any one from recent memory. Powerade is a Coca-Cola product and they are the official sports drink of NASCAR. Gatorade is a Pepsi product and they sponsor the Victory Lane celebration at many NASCAR tracks.</div> <bR> <div> Furthermore, Pepsi and Gatorade sponsor drivers Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Matt Kenseth. While Coca-Cola sponsors several drivers including Tony Stewart, Dale Jarrett and Kevin Harvick to name a few.</div> <bR> <div> To complicate the sports drink rivalry, Powerade pays NASCAR to put their product on top of the winning car, while Gatorade pays the track to have the naming rights to tracks Victory Lane area, thus enter the title "Gatorade" Victory Lane.</div> <bR> <div> The marketing crime takes place when the winning driver pulls into Gatorade Victory Lane and a representative places several Powerade bottles on top of the car. The winning Pepsi sponsored driver gets out of the car and knocks off the bottles. He does this so the rival sponsor's product is not seen while he is on TV. Keep in mind if it's a Coca-Cola driver that wins, he has no worries because his sponsor's product is on the car for him to promote.</div> <bR> <div> A few weeks ago, the issue of removing the Powerade bottles came to a head and NASCAR president Mike Helton told drivers during the driver's meeting prior to the New Hampshire race, "do not take it upon yourselves to remove products" from the cars. He continued "For years there have been sponsors that conflict with a car's sponsor or a driver's personal sponsor. We've been able to work through those with politeness and respect, and we need to get back to that." Helton made one thing clear at the conclusion to his comments, "If that doesn't begin happening again, we will be forced to deal with it."</div> <bR> <div> After the Pocono race on August 1st, NASCAR was forced to deal with it. Driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet Jimmie Johnson, who is sponsored by Pepsi won the race and instead of knocking off the Powerade bottles in Victory Lane he placed a large Lowe's sign in front of the Powerade bottles blocking them. NASCAR announced on the following Tuesday that Johnson would be penalized $10,000 for his actions in Victory Lane.</div> <bR> <div> NASCAR threw down the hammer on Johnson, but I believe their hand was forced and Pepsi and their drivers made a bed that they were unwilling to sleep in.</div> <bR> <div> I believe the real story behind "bottle gate" started the week before Helton ordered the drivers not to remove products from the top of the cars.</div> <div> After Tony Stewart won the Tropicana 400 presented by Meijer at Chicagoland Speedway, he pulled his #20 Home Depot Chevrolet into Victory Lane. Stewart is a Coca-Cola sponsored driver and placed on top of his car in Victory Lane was the normal Powerade bottles and a carton of Tropicana orange juice. Tropicana is a Pepsi product, so Tony did what all Pepsi drivers had before him and he removed the rival product from the top of his car.</div> <bR> <div> I am sure the Tropicana and Pepsi executives were outraged especially since Tropicana sponsored the event in Chicago. Being outraged, I imagine the Pepsi executives and other vested parties were vocal to NASCAR about what happened. They did not take the Powerade approach of not causing waves instead Pepsi and Tropicana screamed very loud.</div> <bR> <div> This explains why this became an issue after a Coca-Cola driver won the event prior to Helton's announcement. For goodness sakes, knocking off Powerade bottles was a common routine and before the New Hampshire race, drivers had never been warned about this issue.</div> <bR> <div> Fast forward to August 1st, Johnson again a Pepsi driver disrespected a sponsor in Victory Lane after being warned. I believe NASCAR had to put their foot down and to prove their point they sent a strong message to Pepsi and their drivers, if you're going to scream and yell about you're product getting bounced off the car, then practice what you preach! Helton made a statement to the drivers because of Pepsi's dissatisfaction of their product being abused in Chicagoland and then they turn around and do it themselves the very next race.</div> <bR> <div> People need to open their eyes and understand that NASCAR did the correct thing in warning the drivers after they received a complaint from a sponsor. Common sense tells me that if you're boss complains about you doing something and wants you to change it, if you want you're job, you change it.</div> <bR> <div> In my view, Pepsi wanted a full pardon here. They wanted their product on the car and their rivals knocked off. Honestly, you can't blame them. Just like in racing, you push the line and when a company spends millions of dollars supporting a driver, a team, a track, or a racing series, they have every right to push the line. In this case NASCAR stood firm and instead of all the hogwash we are hearing in the media about how wrong it was to fine Jimmie Johnson, take it for what it is, a marketing battle between two rival sponsors. NASCAR is just caught in the middle of their own creation and you know what? That's okay! For all you Jimmie Johnson fans, I doubt he will pay one cent of the fine because Pepsi or Lowe's will gladly pay the ten grand for him. For all you Coke fans, Powerade is getting great exposure through this "bottle gate" debate and to be perfectly honest with you, I am sure both sponsors are happy. It's exposure.</div> <bR> <div> The drivers need to understand that they need the competition between sponsors. If Johnson didn't have Coke competing with his sponsor Pepsi or Home Depot competing with his primary sponsor Lowe's, his sponsors wouldn't need to sponsor a car in NASCAR. Right? So for crying out loud Jimmie Johnson get out of the car and celebrate the win. If Powerade wasn't on the top of the car then Gatorade may not need you at all. Did you think that one through?</div> <bR> <div> Because we have good respectful rivalries between sponsors in NASCAR, owners are given the bucks to provide great equipment to the drivers, so they can go after the most important thing, the win!</div> <bR> <div> This week's SPIN OUT goes to the - Big Blue Bottle Blunder! $10,000 is one heck of a drink tab!</div> <bR> <div> God Bless our Troops, our President and America!</div> <bR> <div> Until next week, happy bumping!</div> <div> Copyright 8/5/2004 </div> <bR> <div> by Mike Harper </div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#the_spin_out_zone" TITLE="Title 49"><U>Top of Page</U></A></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>