April 2004 Columns

<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> <FONT SIZE="7" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Minicar" > <A NAME="the_spin_out_zone"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></FONT>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> <bR> <div> <I><B>April 2004</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#caution_flags_marty_smith_and_brendan" TITLE="April 2004 Columns"><U>Caution Flags, Marty Smith, and Brendan Gaughan Get Bumped </U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#field_fillers_and_rookies_get_bumped___" TITLE="April 2004 Columns"><U>Field Fillers and Rookies Get Bumped </U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#dale_jr__larry_mac_bristol_penalties" TITLE="April 2004 Columns"><U>Dale Jr., Larry Mac, Bristol Penalties Get Bumped </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="caution_flags_marty_smith_and_brendan"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></B><B><U>Caution Flags, Marty Smith, and Brendan Gaughan 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> 4/30/2004 </div> <bR> <div> Hold on - here is the bump and the SPIN OUT!</div> <bR> <div> Talladega! Why all the anger people? Where is the love? Why can't we all just get along? Let's see if I can help!</div> <bR> <div> It was reported that Steve Byrnes from NASCAR on Fox sat down with NASCAR President Mike Helton to talk about the decision not to throw the green flag on the last few laps of last weekend's race in Talladega. In case you missed the drama in Talladega, Brian Vickers spun his #25 Chevrolet and brought out the caution flag with just a few laps remaining in the race. NASCAR decided to end the race under caution instead of letting the boys of NASCAR fight it out under the green flag.</div> <bR> <div> To have a little fun with this situation, just imagine Steve interviewing Mr. Helton about Talladega. The setting is that similar to the movie "A Few Good Men" where Tom Cruise's character Kaffee (Steve) interviewed Jack Nicholson's character Colonel Nathan Jessep (Mike Helton) in a military courtroom, under oath.</div> <bR> <div> Jessep (Helton): You want answers?</div> <bR> <div> Kaffee (Steve): I think I and the fans are entitled to them.</div> <bR> <div> Jessep (Helton): You want answers?</div> <bR> <div> Kaffee (Steve): I want the truth!</div> <bR> <div> Jessep (Helton): YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!</div> <bR> <div> Jessep (Helton): Son, we live in a world that has racetracks. And those racetracks have to be raced by men with million dollar sponsorships. Who's gonna do it? You? You? Lt. Mike Joy? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for a green flag finish and you curse the NASCAR officials. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that not bringing out the green flag, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives...You don't want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me at that racetrack. You need me at that racetrack. We use words like honor, code, loyalty...we use these words as the backbone to a life spent defending something. You use 'em as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the NASCAR blanket that I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it! I'd rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you shut up, strap in and race. Either way, I don't give a darn what you and the fans think you're entitled to!</div> <bR> <div> Kaffee (Steve): Did you order the caution flag?</div> <bR> <div> Jessep (Helton): (quietly) I did the job Mr. France sent me to do.</div> <bR> <div> Kaffee (Steve): DID YOU ORDER THE CAUTION FLAG?</div> <bR> <div> Jessep (Helton): YOU'RE DOG GONE RIGHT I DID!!</div> <bR> <div> What's really humorous about the above reenactment is that I didn't have to change too many words. Steve Byrnes and Mike Helton, take a bow.</div> <bR> <div> Now all kidding aside, I believe we are officially seeing NASCAR spinners at work. I truly think NASCAR and some of their NASCAR.com partners in crime have got to think we are stupid. This isn't politics people. This is racing.</div> <bR> <div> To be perfectly honest, I am tired of excuses. I am tired of the focus being on technology, safety and green-white checkered rumors. Anyone in his or her right mind knows, especially racing at Talladega that the green-white checkered option is not an option. It makes no sense. What does make sense? Stop counting caution laps! With 10 laps to go, caution laps should not count. If there is a caution on the last lap, the leaders should race back to the line to determine who wins. The fans deserve to see green flag racing until the checkered flag is waived. Without the fans, sponsors don't sponsor and owners, track owners, and NASCAR don't have the means to survive.</div> <bR> <div> The spinners are out in full force. Instead of discussing the real topic, we are hearing excuses why the green-white checkered finish will not work. Instead of discussing the real topic, we are hearing how the race could have been finished in Talladega if it weren't for fans throwing trash on the track. Instead of discussing the real topic, NASCAR is finally bringing up implementing technology to determine the position of cars when the caution flag is waived. Instead of discussing the real topic, we hear from people buried so deep in the pockets of NASCAR that ending races under the caution flag is such a rarity. Unbelievable! </div> <bR> <div> Both races this past weekend, the Busch Series and Nextel Cup ended under the caution flag. In my eyes, one race is too many.</div> <bR> <div> Instead of discussing the real topic, we hear that running more laps than scheduled could throw off fuel strategies. If it's not one excuse, it's another.</div> <div> Trash throwing fans, what can say. Nothing. Some people's kids!</div> <bR> <div> Technology doesn't give the fans a green flag finish. It does solve other issues, but it's not the answer to caution flags.</div> <bR> <div> Fuel strategies? Who cares! Go into the pits and fill up until your heart is content.</div> <div> The real topic is the fans and providing them with an exciting finish. That means green flag finishes. This has got to be the biggest rip off of all times. NASCAR must fix this now!</div> <bR> <div> To be clear, this is not a Dale Jr. or Jeff Gordon issue. Anyone of the two deserved to win Talladega. So did Kevin Harvick and Mark Martin. The problem with what happened in Talladega is we will never know the end of the story. If caution flag laps didn't count, fans would have seen four laps of great racing.</div> <bR> <div> If you didn't catch Track Smack on NASCAR.com this week, I would suggest you take a few minutes and check it out. I was shocked at some of Marty Smith's and Brendan Gaughan's comments. I can't believe NASCAR fans let them get away with this bologna.</div> <bR> <div> Marty Smith, one of NASCAR media's top cats answered the question of what are the pros and cons of a green-white checkered rule in the Nextel Cup Series with "The only pro is that fans will be content with the winner due to it being a green-flag finish. But there are so many cons, especially on plate tracks. Guys will fight like hell for position, root, gouge, and block. "</div> <bR> <div> Okay Marty, isn't that racing? If a driver isn't out on the track fighting for position, rooting, gouging and blocking, get the heck off the track and let the real men race! I guess if it was up to Marty, we wouldn't have racing because the drivers would fight for position, root, gouge, and block. Oh brother. The letter of reality needs to be delivered to some of these guys. Racing stock cars isn't the safest sport and I truly think some people's passion to increase safety is hurting the racing. Don't get me wrong, I want every driver from any racing series to have the best, safest equipment. But, saying that a race can't be completed under green flag because of the number of laps left in a race because it's not safe is not looking at the sport for what it is. Racers racing cars at high speeds to win while at the same time entertaining those people whom paid the big bucks to watch.</div> <bR> <div> Marty also praised NASCAR for being consistent with the red flag rule. The red flag rule stops a race and NASCAR will only do it when there are enough laps to allow cars the chance to pit. I have been one of those people yelling about the need for NASCAR to be consistent. However, the rule is a bad rule and it needs to be changed so all races end under the green flag.</div> <bR> <div> Enter Brendan Gaughan. His answer to the same question in Track Smack floored me.</div> <bR> <div> He added to the conversation with Marty, "There are many pros and cons to it. The trucks run it very successfully, but when you put the amount of effort and planning as a crew chief to get to the finish line on fuel with the amount of pressure the crew chiefs are under, the scheduled distance has to prevail."</div> <div> Fuel, pressure and scheduled distance? Stop it Brendan! You mean to tell me that adding a few laps is going to add that much stress to a crew chief's life? </div> <bR> <div> Heck, give me the paycheck and I'll take on that stress any day of the week. Try telling a father who works weeks just to save enough money to travel to a track. </div> <div> Tell him, the one who buys four tickets into the track, feeds his family, finds overnight accommodations only to see a race end at 70 mph under caution that it's that way because some overpaid crew chief is stressing over fuel. You'll loose fans #77.</div> <bR> <div> Brendan added regarding the finish at Talladega last weekend, "The fans are the ones that cost that finish; we may have been able to go green. Junior fans need to settle down a little bit. He can't win all of them."</div> <bR> <div> Whatever you say Brendan. I agree the fans that threw the trash on the track should be punished to the full extent of the law, but you can't blame them for not bringing out the green. This was NASCAR rookie! And to finish up with Brendan's genius comments, "You know that's what I really dislike about the media and fans some days, you forced NASCAR to come up with the last red flag lap rule, and now, you whine about it!"</div> <bR> <div> Well, excuse us for supporting this sport! Excuse us for being the ones living paycheck to paycheck, but spending our last bit of money on supporting our favorite drivers. Excuse us for watching the races that gives NASCAR the ratings to put more money in your pocket. Excuse us for supporting your sponsor because they support NASCAR. Excuse us for expecting to be entertained.</div> <bR> <div> Some people can just bite the hand that feeds them and then laugh their way to the bank! Way to win new fans Brendan "I dislike the media and the fans" Gaughan!</div> <bR> <div> This week's SPIN OUT goes to - Caution Flags! They are kind of like watching paint dry.</div> <bR> <div> God Bless our Troops, our President and America!</div> <bR> <div> Until next week, happy bumping! Go Red Wings!</div> <bR> <div> Copyright 4/30/2004 </div> <div> by Mike Harper </div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#the_spin_out_zone" TITLE="April 2004 Columns"><U><U>Top of Page</U></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="field_fillers_and_rookies_get_bumped___"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></B><B><U>Field Fillers and Rookies 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> 4/23/2004 </div> <bR> <div> Hold on - here is the bump and the SPIN OUT!</div> <bR> <div> In the middle of discussing potholes, 40 race schedules and the return of Rusty Wallace to victory lane, we'll see if we can end the week with a bang of spinouts.</div> <bR> <div> It's really been a crazy two weeks. So many topics, so little space! A few that deserve mentioning include topics surrounding Ward Burton, Mexico, Matt Kenseth and the National Enquirer.</div> <bR> <div> What in the heck was up with the truck driver that assisted Ward Burton after Ward fell asleep at the wheel of his company SUV and hit a guard rail? Truck driver Bill Waldron stopped and helped Ward but didn't know who the NASCAR driver was. You would have thought the upside down NetZero Chevrolet Suburban and all the NetZero gear that Ward wears as demonstrated in his TV commercial, would have connected the dots for the guy. In the end, I am glad Ward is okay!</div> <bR> <div> It's been reported that NASCAR is throwing around the idea of running races in Mexico City in the very near future. If true, then I will need to start writing my column in Spanish. In an effort to practice, I must say - Sr. Francia, salva por favor los trabajos Americanos manteniendo NASCAR en los Estados Unidos de América. No fije lo que no rompió. Translated - "Mr. France, please save American jobs by keeping NASCAR in the United States of America. Don't fix what's not broke." I'd say ADD a race in Canada before Mexico because we've got some great fans up in Canada!</div> <bR> <div> I think there is more to the Matt Kenseth and Kevin Harvick incident in Martinsville last weekend than being reported. Matt is a bright guy and he's not going to come right out and admit he punted Kevin on purpose. It's easier to give a fake apology than make waves. In my eyes, it was pay back. When Matt said he thought Kevin was pointing him down to pass, I think Kevin was actually giving Matt the #1 sign. Matt saw the opportunity to punt Kevin and took it. Hey, it's Martinsville. My guess is this isn't over.</div> <bR> <div> A few weeks ago the National Enquirer a tabloid magazine, who rarely get it right in their reporting, reported that during the Easter break Dale Earnhardt Jr., Elliott Sadler and Tony Stewart spent spring break in Panama City partying a bit too hard. Fighting in a bar parking lot, all night parties with naked girls and alcohol, and causing problems with local police were among the items listed in the story. </div> <bR> <div> None of these reports turned out to be true. The NE did reply to my request for comment about the situation with a "no comment" and in my eyes, it looks like an attempt to trash a successful group of young NASCAR stars looking to have a good time during their free time. Cancel your subscription and put your money toward JAYSKI's Computer Lab Fund for the Victory Junction Gang Camp - www.victoryjunction.org.</div> <bR> <div> <B>FIELD FILLERS</B></div> <div> I know this topic is really getting old, but I've got to tell you that my spin on this issue was very evident at last weekend's race in Martinsville. I have said in the past that many people have labeled specific drivers as field fillers. If you are under funded and can't keep up with the mega teams, the label has been stamped across your forehead.</div> <bR> <div> I disagree with that take on the term field fillers. My take is that if you are not running for the win, you are a field filler period. It doesn't matter if you are Michael Waltrip, Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch or Morgan Shepherd, if you are not up front running for the win you are basically filling the field.</div> <bR> <div> How many times have we seen a top team go down a few laps to the leader because of a cut tire? Several times! When a driver falls so far behind in a race, they aren't out to win, they are just hoping to finish the race. This is a field filler folks! Field fillers change each week based on specific events of a race. Also, sometimes it's not a driver's fault that they are a field filler.</div> <bR> <div> Last weekend in Martinsville I would have to say that most drivers outside of the top 10 were in fact, field fillers. I was absolutely shocked and disappointed on the effort that we saw from those drivers outside of the top 10. There were a few exceptions, but not many.</div> <bR> <div> I use Jeff Gordon as my example. After the race was red flagged due to the pothole in the middle of the track, Jeff Gordon had to bring his #24 Chevrolet into the pits to repair damage done to the front of his car. When the green flag dropped, Jeff started at the tail end of the lead lap. He had no problem working his way back to the top 10.</div> <bR> <div> As he raced through the pack, drivers would pull over and let him by. Aren't these guys race car drivers? During the race we heard the race announcers speak of driver respect and how they should let cars go by if the approaching car is better. I disagree. Instead of earning your way past a competitor, let them go by? I don't think so!</div> <bR> <div> If all the drivers were like Ryan Newman or Jimmie Johnson, we - the fans, would have seen a heck of a race. Ryan and his #12 Dodge let up for no one, not even his teammate Rusty Wallace. Ryan raced Rusty hard and Rusty had to prove that he was better than Ryan was. Rusty earned his win. As for the mid-pack racing, the fans were ripped off! Instead of running 40 races next year as rumored, maybe NASCAR should put incentives in place where drivers will need to run hard all race.</div> <bR> <div> It's pretty plain and simple, at Martinsville we saw a lot of field fillers letting cars blow by them for whatever reason. All this mushy talk about driver respect is getting to be too much. Sure, respect your competitors and sure, maybe respect some drivers more than others. But, do you think the great all-time teams like the Yankees, 49ers, Cowboys, Bulls, Lakers, Celtics, Devils and Red Wings, just rolled over because they respected their opponents. Heck no, they kicked it into high gear and beat the other team as bad as they could. Even when things weren't going so well, they did what they could do to make it difficult on their opponents. It was never easy beating the great ones.</div> <bR> <div> The practice of slowing up so a competitor can get by with ease should stop! I say give them heck. Make them earn the position because if you don't, then you are most definitely a field filler!</div> <bR> <div> <B>2004 RAYBESTOS ROOKIES</B></div> <div> The NASCAR Nextel Cup rookie class of 2004 is shaping up to be somewhat of a joke. Long gone are the rookie days of Dale Jr., Matt Kenseth, Ryan Newman and Jimmie Johnson. This year with the exception of Kasey Kahne driver of the #9 Dodge, the 2004 rookie class lacks entertainment, consistency and competitiveness.</div> <bR> <div> Only two of the six rookies find themselves within 400 points of the championship leader and that means if we were at race 26, they would be excluded from the Chase for the Championship. It's not like all six rookies would be expected to make the cut, however what I see are six rookies all in the best equipment with very little to show for it.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Kasey Kahne</B></I> - After 8 races, Kasey has been the diamond of the rookie group. Many including myself are surprised to see him in the top 10 in Nextel Cup points. I think if Kasey can ignore the media's expectations of his success, he may have a great chance of taking the top rookie spot for 2004.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Scott Wimmer</B></I> - Currently holding at 22nd in Nextel Cup points, things can only get worst for Scott. With legal problems pending from a driving-under-the-influence charge in High Point, N.C. that has not been settled, Scott is looking at a short season once a ruling in the case is made. Scott was charged after wrecking a pickup truck owned by his employer, Bill Davis Racing, near his home after midnight on Jan. 31. An alcohol test after the arrest showed Scott to be a 0.15 blood alcohol content, nearly twice the North Carolina legal limit of 0.08. </div> <bR> <div> State law allows up to three continuances and Scott has used two to date so the case could be delayed until late summer. Scott said back in Daytona during Speed Weeks "I just made a bad error in judgment, and I'm paying for it. I let down a lot of people." My view is that he is guilty based on that statement and sometime after the court finds him officially guilty, NASCAR will suspend Scott for the remainder of the season making his rookie season in Nextel Cup a major disappointment.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Brian Vickers</B></I> - The 2003 Busch Series Champion finds himself 24th in Nextel Cup points and in my view the most disappointing rookie of the bunch. With teammates like Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Terry Labonte, Brian has experience and Hendrick equipment in his corner. Rick Hendrick replaced Joe Nemechek in the #25 Chevrolet with rookie Brian Vickers this year, however with Joe running just outside the top 15 in Nextel Cup points in his new ride the #01 Chevrolet, you wonder if Rick is questioning his own decision. Time will tell, but unless Brian puts up the results similar to his Busch Series run of 2003, he may find himself stepping back down to Busch Series racing and replaced with current Hendrick Busch Series star driver Kyle Busch.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Johnny Sauter</B></I> - Double duty Johnny is sitting 26th in Nextel Cup points and in the middle of the Nextel Cup rumor mill. Racing in both the Nextel Cup and Busch Series has not been too kind to Johnny. Rumors of loosing his #30 AOL Chevrolet ride combined with his recent fine from NASCAR for using improper language during an interview could have this rookie driver down for the count. In addition to the off track issues, Johnny has not provided the spark that RCR wanted in bringing their AOL Chevrolet up to RCR standards. On track incidents with other drivers including his teammate last weekend, makes me believe that Johnny will be the first rookie looking for another ride before the end of the season.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Brendan Gaughan</B></I> - Craftsman Truck Series driver turned Nextel Cup regular Brendan Gaughan is currently 28th in Nextel Cup points. If there is a driver with any type of an excuse for lacking behind, it's Brendan. His #77 Dodge is a new team, however I do not see the same fire in the gut as I did with teammate Ryan Newman during his rookie season. Very similar to Brian Vickers, Brendan has experience in his corner with top-notch equipment and big name teammates in Rusty Wallace and Ryan Newman. Brendan has done very well during qualifying, but we all know qualifying only brings smiles to the pole winner. Many expect Brendan to turn it up after more seat time with this team, and if not, we may see some internal changes to the team rather than any driver changes.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Scott Riggs</B></I> - Currently playing at the bottom of the barrel, Scott Riggs is 34th in Nextel Cup points and is among the three lowest full time drivers within NASCAR's top racing series. He sits only on top of Jeff Green and Derrick Cope. For Scott, this is unfamiliar territory. With teammate Joe Nemechek running 16th in Nextel Cup points, some wonder what is happening with Scott's #10 Chevrolet team. As I wrote last year when the #10 team fired Johnny Benson as the driver, I felt Scott was a quick fix to some major internal problems with this team and obviously it's going to take more than Scott to fix them. Johnny couldn't do it and in my eyes this is bigger than a driver change. Look for some big management changes to this team soon.</div> <bR> <div> With the exception of Kasey Kahne, the rookie class of 2004 isn't keeping to the high standards of the Raybestos Rookie of the Year award. Maybe, just maybe, we should go ahead and give that award to Kasey. Instead of the other rookie contenders competing for the Raybestos Rookie of the Year, they can run for the Oreo Cookie of the Year. Ouch!</div> <bR> <div> This week's SPIN OUT goes to - the 2004 Nextel Cup Rookies! Got milk?</div> <bR> <div> God Bless our Troops, our President and America!</div> <bR> <div> Until next week, happy bumping! Go Red Wings!</div> <bR> <div> Copyright 4/23/2004 </div> <div> by Mike Harper </div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#the_spin_out_zone" TITLE="April 2004 Columns"><U><U>Top of Page</U></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="dale_jr__larry_mac_bristol_penalties"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></B><B><U>Dale Jr., Larry Mac, Bristol Penalties 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> 4/1/2004 </div> <bR> <div> Hold on - here is the bump and the SPIN OUT!</div> <bR> <div> NASCAR on FOX personality and NASCAR Craftsman Truck owner Larry McReynolds went personal this week by calling Jamie McMurray a coward for spinning Matt Kenseth out during the cool down lap just after the Bristol race on Sunday.</div> <bR> <div> With the race winding down, Jamie put the bumper of his #42 Dodge to Matt's #17 Ford and moved Matt up the track. Jamie pulled past Matt to take the position only to find Matt repaying him the favor with less than five laps to go. Jamie ended up finishing two positions behind Matt.</div> <bR> <div> Just schooled in the lesson of "Bump and Run 101", Jamie stalked Matt during the cool down lap and spun him out.</div> <bR> <div> Larry McReynolds in his Fox Sports column said "Spinning a car on pit road is a coward's way of confronting somebody. Coward is probably an awfully strong word, but I'm so opposed to this move that if I were NASCAR, I would probably sit him out a race. Maybe his owners, Chip Ganassi or Felix Sabates don't care and condone it, but if I were the car owner, McMurray would be at the shop this morning repairing the nose on that 42 car."</div> <bR> <div> Give me a break Larry! First, Jamie spun Matt before entering pit road. Look at the film, he clearly did it before going between the famous "orange cones" which is the official commitment line when entering pit road. Secondly, who cares about repairing the nose of a car that just finished racing at Bristol? If a team isn't prepared to fix the damage on their car from one of the most brutal racetracks on the schedule, then someone isn't managing the shop very well. Finally, I'll be watching Larry's truck teams at Martinsville to see if his drivers pull a "Jamie" and if they do I'll expect Larry to be just as harsh in his statements.</div> <bR> <div> <B>BRISTOL PENALTIES</B></div> <div> Racing in Bristol never seems to disappoint me. I love the beating and banging and the paint swapping. I wish there were more tracks like Bristol on the schedule.</div> <bR> <div> When you think about angry drivers, you have to think about Bristol racing. It's kind of like peanut butter and jelly, mad drivers and the Bristol racetrack go hand and hand. Knowing this, NASCAR tries to maintain order during the Bristol race by talking to the drivers to calm them down or throwing out the black flag, which is the ultimate in-race penalty. The black flag was thrown out last weekend in Bristol to Tony Stewart and Scott Wimmer for extracurricular activity during a caution. During the race, Scott and his #22 CAT Dodge was running behind Ricky Craven's #32 Tide Chevrolet. When Ricky slowed to catch his car from moving up the track, Scott checked up in an effort not to run into the back of Ricky. However, Tony who was behind Scott could not check up his #20 Home Depot Chevrolet in time and got into the back of Scott. This brought out the caution flag. This also made Tony mad.</div> <bR> <div> While under the caution, Tony caught up to Scott and began playing bumper cars. Tony didn't just bump Scott once or twice to show his displeasure in what happened, he continued to hound Scott. Scott Wimmer one of this season's rookies did not retaliate, he kept focused and kept his emotions in check.</div> <div> NASCAR threw the black flag at Scott and Tony bringing them both to pit road for a one-lap penalty. Yes, each one lost a lap to the leader for what happened. My question is what happened? Tony lost his cool and Scott did his job. If they were going to black flag anyone, it should have been only Tony. In my view, NASCAR altered the outcome of this event for Scott.</div> <bR> <div> Scott finished 13th and Tony finished in 24th so at the end of the day the innocent one did prevail. However, NASCAR made a bad call against Scott and should own up to their mistake.</div> <bR> <div> <B>DALE JR.</B></div> <div> Speaking of altering the outcome of an event, NASCAR penalized Dale Earnhardt Jr. 25 driver points, $10,000 and placed him on probation for intentionally causing a caution during last weekend's race in Bristol. Dale Earnhardt Incorporated was also penalized 25 owner points for the actions of their driver.</div> <bR> <div> According to NASCAR, Dale Jr. was in violation of Section 12-4-A (Actions detrimental to stock car racing). Also Section 12-4-N (Any driver who, in the judgment of NASCAR officials, intentionally causes or attempts to cause a caution condition by stopping or spinning out or any other action) of the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Rule Book.</div> <bR> <div> Dale Jr. spun out on lap 431 of 500 after loosing several positions. He was complaining about a lose wheel before his timely spin out. NASCAR put out the caution and after a quick visit to pit road, Dale Jr. was back at it. He finished the race in 11th.</div> <bR> <div> If Dale Jr. wouldn't have spun out or the caution flag never waived, Dale Jr. would have had to pit under green flag racing. This would have put him one to two laps behind the leader and probably putting him the in the 22nd to 25th finishing position.</div> <bR> <div> NASCAR President Mike Helton said about the Dale Jr. issue "The driver of the No. 8 car was quite vocal in admitting he intentionally spun out his car to cause a caution condition on the track, which is clearly prohibited in the NASCAR Rule Book. We have several rules in our Rule Book that have been in place for quite some time to prevent someone from altering the outcome of an event. This was a clear-cut case of that. Actions such as this will not be tolerated. We will always react to protect the integrity of our sport."</div> <bR> <div> I agree. NASCAR must make an example out of Dale Jr. The sport is bigger than Dale Jr. no matter what Dale Jr. fans think.</div> <bR> <div> Here's my problem - after the race, Dale Jr. pops out of his car as says "I had a lose wheel and I didn't have any choice but to spin the car out to get a caution. </div> <div> So I went down in the corner, had some clear room behind me, and I just spun it out. The caution came out, I put the clutch in and got going. What the hell else was I supposed to do? Go a lap down? Go two laps down?"</div> <bR> <div> What the heck else were you supposed to do Dale Jr.? How about shutting the heck up! Does a crew chief admit it when he cheats the system and gets away with it? Heck no! So what on earth were you trying to accomplish by jumping out and admitting to spinning out on purpose? For being one of the most talented drivers in NASCAR, you've got to wonder where your head was! What where you thinking?</div> <bR> <div> Look, cheating is a part of NASCAR. Some of the best people in NASCAR invented today's long list of cheating secrets. Personally, I do not blame Dale Jr. for spinning out. It was a pretty good move and save! If he hadn't got out of his car and did an old fashion kiss and tell session, he could have won a Grammy with the move. No one could have proved it.</div> <bR> <div> Dale Jr. is running for a championship. Drivers know how important it is to stay in the top 10 in championship points through these first 26 races. By loosing one or two laps to go to pit road to fix the tire problem would have cost him some major points. At a minimum possibly 30 points. So, instead of loosing that many points, Dale Jr. pulled off an incredible feat, he spun out in Bristol and didn't wreak the car. All to stay on the lead lap.</div> <bR> <div> Guess what? It worked! Dale Jr. pulled it off. Then he opened his mouth!</div> <bR> <div> The numbers look like this. Dale Jr. finished 11th and took home 135 points. If he would have finished 24th by pitting under green flag racing he would have collected only 96 points. He saved himself 39 points by intentionally causing a caution. Now, NASCAR hits him with a 25-point penalty. Take 25 points from his 135 points he received at Bristol and he is still ahead of what could have been only 96 points. In the end, he is up 14 points. The $10,000 fine is not that big of a deal that's pocket change to him and the probation label is meaningless.</div> <div> In a round about way - the spin out was still a good move.</div> <bR> <div> In the game of NASCAR, honesty is not the best policy - Dale Jr. should have known that. My recommendation to Dale Jr. is next time don't kiss and tell. Also, on a side note while I have you in The Spin Out Zone - for heaven's sake, remove the "Ludacris" plug from your web site. NASCAR sells you as a role model and to have him listed as one of your favorite bands is bad for the kids!</div> <bR> <div> This week's SPIN OUT goes to - DALE JR.!</div> <bR> <div> God Bless our Troops, our President and America!</div> <bR> <div> Until next week, happy bumping!</div> <bR> <div> Copyright 4/1/2004 </div> <div> by Mike Harper </div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#the_spin_out_zone" TITLE="April 2004 Columns"><U><U>Top of Page</U></U></A></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>