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StumblePublished Monday, Aug. 24, 2009 | 8 p.m.
Updated Monday, Aug. 24, 2009 | 4:28 p.m.
NASCAR goes to great lengths in its attempt to create a level playing field on the track. The sanctioning body tries to create as much parity as possible by using templates, inspections and a car that doesn’t leave a lot of room for innovation. NASCAR wants the determining factor on the track to be a driver’s talent.
So why is a driver who’s leading a race allowed to let his teammate pass for the lead so he can gain five bonus points for leading a lap? How is this in line with the concept of a level playing field?
During the Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday night the No. 48 team, while running second to Mark Martin, requested that Mark allow the No. 48 car to pass so it could lead a lap and gain the bonus points. Mark obliged Jimmie Johnson for two laps.
Awarding points based on a teammate’s track position and willingness to be helpful is a freebie. Points should only be awarded on the ability of a driver and his team to compete. Besides, aren’t these teams, regardless of common ownership, supposed to be in competition with one another?
Later in the race, Johnson obtained the lead and therefore would have earned his five bonus points the legitimate way, by driving to the front.
One has to wonder why Johnson made the request of Martin’s team in the first place. At the start of the race, Johnson was third in the points standings and was 406 points ahead of the 12th-place car. With three races left at that time in the regular season, did Johnson really need the five extra points, especially when the points will be reset at the start of the Chase?
NASCAR gives free "lucky dog" passes to lapped cars and you're worried about THIS?!?!?!?!?
Hendrick Motorsports should be fined $200K and each team docked 150 points for 'actions unbecoming to stock car racing'...lol!
Since the 48 team is effectively in testing mode until the Chase, perhaps they wanted to run in clean air with that setup. Or perhaps there are bonus $$$ for points within the Hendrick teams, an in-house incentive to keep racing for points even when its meaningless. It didn't cost the 5 team anything...
At this level, usually $$$ is the motivation, that's why there are so many 'start and park' teams.
Its just greed by the 48 team, business as usual. But when Jeff Gordon wanted around for bonus points, Johnson would not let him, and he is his owner. Same as when Johnson has to go to the back for a penalty, he drives wreckless to get back to the front. The 48 Team: NO CLASS.
This has been going on long before Johnson entered Nascar. The Roush teams, among others have done it, Sometimes teams have even allowed a non teammate to do it. Seems those posting have a lot of jealousy for the 48 team. Must be Kyle (14th place) Busch fans. To call him reckless is just a plain lie. I watched for years as Dale Sr. put other drivers into the wall with no penalty, While Geoff Bodine drew a penalty when he did it.
At least it isn't Formula one where the team boss nakes his driver stop just short of the finish line in order to let his over rated "top" driver win another race.