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Published Tuesday, May 10, 2011 | 6:09 p.m.
Updated Tuesday, May 10, 2011 | 6:09 p.m.
When a Sprint Cup driver loses his ability to practice anger management after a race, I’m usually more impressed if he confronts his competitor directly as opposed to using his car to make a statement. I don’t have a problem with drivers roughing it up during the race in the spirit of “boys have at it.” But once the race is over, march over to your opponent and deal with him face to face.
In a move I can’t remember seeing before at a Cup race, Kevin Harvick decided to use his car and a face-to-face confrontation in one combined effort to express his anger with Kyle Busch. Harvick tried to position his car as a blocking mechanism to corral Busch so that Harvick could then take a physical shot at Kyle as he sat in his car. It was a creative approach by Harvick. But it only led to Kyle bucking Harvick’s No. 29 machine into the pit wall, which then gave NASCAR the incentive to hand down today’s penalties.
NASCAR stated that its decision to fine each driver $25,000 and place them on probation for five weeks was “a result of what occurred on pit road after the race was over.” Handing down the fines makes sense. Pit road is where pedestrians like NASCAR officials can be milling around. So it has to be a controlled environment to lower the possibility of someone becoming a hood ornament.
But I’m less inclined to agree with probation for the two drivers. If NASCAR wants to be less parental in the way it polices drivers’ track behavior, then why impose probation that will ensure that the two drivers stay away from one another for the next four Cup races? NASCAR has always thrived on rivalries, but squashing the potential for drama in the sport won’t help to promote the “boys have at it” atmosphere.
This doesn’t mean that races should be demolition derbies where drivers do nothing but settle scores for 500 miles. And NASCAR has to demonstrate what line can’t be crossed. But in this case, I think the governing body should have only imposed the fines and left open the option of probation if things continue to get out of hand.
Thoughtful observations...but my opinions diverge. As usual, anything controversial is a Section 12 violation, worthy of a token fine (relatively small money that eventually goes to charity) and probation (which is sort of like detention for teenagers).
If Na$car wanted to send a serious message, they would have fined one or both teams on the order of $5mil; a death sentence, like it gave Carl Long two years ago, or at least a two race suspension, a hurdle that money can't easily bypass. But the reality is that a bit of anger expressed on pit road helps sell tickets and that's job one for the France organization. It's not like either cars' engine was seven thousandths too big...
Forming the intent to attack someone who is still strapped into their car doesn't speak very highly of Mr. Harvick's character. If I tried to punch someone who was sitting defenseless in their car and restrained by seat belt, I would be called a coward, and rightly so.
Neither man handled this situation in the most stellar fashion. That said, most of the blame must go to Mr. Harvick. Sir, the next time you want to hit someone, try to do it in a more manly way, instead of trying to jump them while they are safely restrained and in no position to fight back. I am not impressed.
How about a UFC style fight for charity between all the feuding drivers. Some want to settle it on the track, protected as they are by the car and safety gear. Others would prefer to duke it out after the drivers have exited the car. Some take the combined approach and therefore are unpredictable. It is a wonderful dynamic that makes motorsports what it is. Retaliation at 200 mph is risky business and usually involves more that the intended combatants.