NASCAR fines drivers for comments

[Chris]

NASCAR fines unnamed drivers for comments: NASCAR has fined at least two of its star drivers this season for making critical comments about the racing series, The Associated Press has learned. People familiar with the penalties told the AP the comments were considered disparaging to the sport. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because NASCAR is not publicly identifying the topflight drivers it fined. They say one driver was penalized as much as $50,000. The decision to fine competitors for critical comments puts NASCAR in line with many other professional sports leagues. The NFL and NBA both routinely issue fines for criticism of officiating. It also backs up NASCAR's season-long campaign to rebuild the slumping sport through an improved on-track product and off-track promotion from its drivers

(I think we'll all agree Ryan Newman was one of the drivers fined... not sure who else) Funny.. NASCAR has a say in WHICH announcers get hired so they can be the company shill, and be a glad mouthpiece never saying anything against NASCAR.  Now they want to try the same thing on the drivers.
What a crock.. sure I will agree that other sports fine players for critical comments. 
However their is ONE MAJOR difference.. all the other sports have 'contracts' with the players, and some involvement or tie-in
NASCAR drivers have always been called "independant contractors"... which puts them in a whole different category.
I hope someone has enough balls to fight the fines

Good thing NASCAR didn't fine Dale Sr for all his comments... he'd of been broke.

[south jersey girl]

they won't rock the boat...or they may get "mayfielded"

[DougS]

Twitter is a buzz that the "other driver" is Denny Hamlin for his comments following Michigan that he flat out know NASCAR was going to throw a caution "for the show".

[Chris]

I'll throw in another option.. Maybe it's Edwards because he was so indignant about crashing BK in front of the whole field last week (and kept on about how 'right' he was to do that)
It's a 'possibility... but more likely NASCAR will get someone that has something negative to say about "Nascar"

[Chris]

Funny how it is out on Jayski.. but NASCAR don't have enough balls to post it on it's own web site..  lol

[2010nascar]

NASCAR doesn't have a website. NASCAR.com is a sold name to the Turner (TNN, WTBS, TNT) family.

[Fathead]

Newman and Hamlin.    I can't think of anyone else that said something strong enough to be worth secretly fining for.

[FS_Amy]

Honestly, I have a harder time that NASCAR chooses not to release details than I do with the fines.  I would like to hear what was said before I pass too much judgment.  In any business, if you badmouth the company, you're likely to get severely reprimanded; in this economic environment, you're probably likely to get your walking papers.  If I badmouthed my school or principal to the media, I'd be lucky to get a transfer-with all the teachers being let go it's more likely I'd find myself one of them.  Yes, NASCAR drivers are slightly different because they are independent contractors, but still...if the independent contractor washing the windows of the bank spread disparaging comments about that bank, his contract would be terminated-with good reason.  Like it or not, NASCAR is a business, and that's just how business works.

However, NASCAR needs to think about why fans think the drivers are so vanilla.  In most cases it's because hte company line (NASCAR's and/or sponsor's) forces them to be, not because the WANT the viewing public to think they're boring shills.

However, NASCAR needs to not be so secretive.  Why not release what was said so that others know where the line is?  Why is this different from any other?That's what I have a problem with, along with the hypocrisy of telling drivers to be themselves and then telling them not to be too much themselves.

[CodeBlueEMT]

 Complete BS.

 The NFL and NHL seasons can't start soon enough for me.

[20forLogano]

Could have been my boy in the chicago NNS race when he said he knew a caution was going to come out

[Chris]

Yeah.. I HEAR ya...
Personally I think people are MORE surprised when one DON'T come out...

[DougS]

I think there is a second side to this. And I'm not playing devil's advocate here. Those of us who have been watching the sport for awhile, all know about the "NASCAR inspection". Where they take their time, they analyze a part, keep you in tech while practice was on-going. It crushes an entire team.

None of these "superstar" drivers are going to loose a whole lot of sleep over 50,000 (and only 1 got the 50k fine). And it sends a clear message. This is about you and what came out of your mouth.

NASCAR not penalizing the owner, the team is a GOOD thing for sponsors of the team and those of the sport. I can deal with the secrecy. Just like no one talks about what was said in the NASCAR Hauler. They come out smile, break out a cliche' and life goes on.

This is nothing new. Fans need to get over their sense of entitlement. Just because there's a phenom called the internet and it's on 24/7 it doesn't force an organization to change it's long standing business model. If you don't like it DLTDHYOTWO! I'll gladly take the easier parking, smaller crowds at the track, beer concession and souvenir haulers.

Speaking of smaller crowds. Did the crowd affect the outcome of the race? I didn't think so.

[Chris]

Fans need to get over their sense of entitlement. Just because there's a phenom called the internet and it's on 24/7... it doesn't force an organization to change it's long standing business model

Well I WILL agree with this statement...
NASCAR has ALWAYS a 'secret' society when they make the rules, and enforce them as they see fit,.. (usually that depends on the driver or team)
One of the "super teams" can break a major posted rule, and they got nothing more than a slap on the wrist.  Let "nobody" Carl Long break a rule (in a practice of a non-points paying race) and they throw the book at him.  Just depends on who ya know, and who ya blow.

I don't think it's the secrecy that bothers folks so much... it's the INCONSISTENCY between what rules they enforce, who it is against, and what various penalties are handed down for the same infractions. THAT (IMO) is what has long time fans (and even newer fans now days) leaving the sport in droves.

At least the NFL etc has rules that are consistent, and for the most part the enforce them the same against everyone.
NFL has Personal Code of conduct rules... so let's just throw this out.  IF NASCAR run the NFL;.. instead of Ben Rothlesburger being given a 6 game suspension for his actions,.. he'd of been taking into the NASCAR Hauer and "given a good talking too". 
Easy to compare and see why NASCAR will NEVER have the following of the NFL.. They lack any symbalence of credibility.

at least the RULES for the NFL are posted and ANYONE can get a copy... and they go by them.  IN NASCAR there is a general 'guide' but very little about what you can do and what you can't... NO "outsiders" can get a copy of the rules, and they are enforced differently most every time.
I still have a copy of the rule book from when I was on a pit crew.  VERY LITTLR said about much of anything that they enforce penalties for.
General overview is this..
It says how to get your licenses, how to enter the race, inspections, how impound works, timing and scoring, race procedures, prize money, points funds,... most of the things I listed have a whopping ONE page about it. (including penalties)

Penalties.. the list "general scope"... things that can get you penalized.
Allowing someone else to use your NASCAR license
Fighting
drinking
doing drugs
missing drivers meeting
etc..

NO MENTION of cars failing any type of tech, no mention of anything else.
All the above wrapped up in a neat little 33 pages.
Then when you get to the specifications of the car... it goes from page 34 to page 80.

As much as NASCAR likes to hand out penalties... it should be a much more comprehensive list ... of course that way they couldn't just lump everything in one pile and call it "actions detrimental to racing"... so thats their "out"... It's obvious to see. NASCAR just makes it up as they go along.  They don't follow a set of rules, because there are NONE written to start with.

IMO I can't agree that fans should not have a sense of entitlement as to the rules, and how they are applied.  If you go to a football game, you know if you are "holding" it's so many yard penalty,.. if it pass interference it's something else. and so on.  IN NASCAR they look at the team, who the player was and say,.. well it was pass interference, but you are XYZ all star, so we'll just penalize you 5 yards instead of 15. (or none at all)
Basketball.  5 fouls and you are out.  NO matter who you are.  I think it's logical for fans to expect to know the rules, and penalties associated with breaking those rules.
Can you image going to an NFL game,.. having a player commit a penalty,.. then all the official huddle together and decide what type of penalty they will dole out depending on who it is, etc.  Whole crowd sits and waits in anticipation as to what the penalty will be.  Of course when different penalties are handed out for the same infraction, the whole crowd would go bezerk
Thats the sort of thing that happens with NASCAR

[south jersey girl]

"actions detrimental to racing"...

also known as the "because I said so" rule...

[Chris]

yeah.. I have hoped and prayed for years (decades now) that just ONE team or group would sue NASCAR over something and WIN>  Then they would finaly realize they aren't acting in a vacuum any more, and have to be transparent with everything.  Until such time.. they can get away with murder.

I will give Brooke Gordon kudos for one thing.  When she and Jeff got divorced she made the court ORDER NASCAR to open up all it's private books or settle the divorce case.  NASCAR had no choice but to pressure Jeff to settle, because they didn't want all their mis-deeds displayed to the world.  Wouldn't surprise me that NASCAR paid off some of the divorce money to keep things quiet and under wraps.