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Published Wednesday, July 28, 2010 | 6:23 a.m.
Updated Wednesday, July 28, 2010 | 6:23 a.m.
The Associated Press has reported that NASCAR has fined at least two prominent drivers for comments that were deemed to be critical of the sport. NASCAR has not identified the drivers or confirmed that fines were doled out, but it has admitted that some action had been taken for “actions or comments that materially damage the sport.” People familiar with the penalties told the Associated Press that at least two drivers were fined. One driver was reportedly fined $50,000.
At the beginning of this season, NASCAR made it known that it wanted the drivers to be unafraid when expressing their opinions. As it turns out, that didn’t apply to direct criticism of the sport. NASCAR claims it isn’t trying to muzzle drivers from expressing their opinions, but it admits that it won’t tolerate actions or speech that the governing body feels will damage the brand.
Obviously, NASCAR doesn’t think its actions are in conflict with one another. And it can make a case for penalizing certain actions. But this will be lost on the fans. Most watchers of this sport will see this as NASCAR acting in an inconsistent way, saying one thing and doing another. And I bet some of the drivers see it that way, too. Having two policies only makes the drivers more guarded when they speak, which was exactly the thing NASCAR was trying to wean from the sport in the first place.
But if NASCAR really believes that some comments are hazardous to stock-car racing, then call a driver on the carpet instead of slapping him with some sort of secret punishment. If a driver complains that “the COT sucks” or that caution flags are deliberately thrown by NASCAR to liven up the ending of the race, then Mike Helton, or someone else from NASCAR, should march right over to the nearest ESPN reporter and explain why those comments are untrue or unfair. Nip it in the bud, right there on the spot the minute a driver pops off in front of the cameras. This will let the fans know that there is another side to the accusations a driver might make. It’s just good communication.
Na$car is an entertainment business, auto racing is a sport...the devil is in the details. Na$car wants it both ways by creating and fostering the image that it is a sanctioning, rule creating and enforcing body, but clearly it is primarily the promoter and marketer of an entertainment experience first and foremost.
Drivers are not employees of Na$car, but to participate in Na$car events, they must enter into restrictive contracts that ensure that Na$car can cleanse and promote the product as the France family sees fit. Entering into the Na$car entertainment arena comes with it the possibility of tremendous monetary rewards, but at a cost of playing by their rules. While the lack of transparency frequently rubs fans and drivers the wrong way, I don't see a lot of drivers migrating from Na$car to other series simply because they don't like the way Na$car puts it show on.
An idea that I've kicked around with my Na$car buddies is this: reduce the schedule by taking away one race from all tracks that have two. The owners save big money on travel and consumables. Drivers get more weekends off. And best of all, the fans who may be able to still afford one race a year at their home track aren't squeezed to try to buy tickets to two. The stands will be full again (or at least fuller), TV numbers will go up, profit margins will improve and bring new money into the business. Na$car has now cut one from Fontana and no doubt they will see what effect that has. Perhaps it will be the start of a downsizing revolution.
nascar=zzzzzz's
It's been announced that instead of reducing the number of races, Na$car is reducing the size of purses. That should have the effect of raising the number of 'start and park' cars and put additional pressure on sponsors and teams. Probably the smart business play for the France monopoly, and Bruton sure isn't going to cry about it, but expect further consolidation as "no-name" teams are squeezed like turnips.
Kudos to Kyle for his magical weekend. It represents a talented driver, with excellent equipment and team personnel and just a bit of racing luck.