NASCAR fines drivers for comments

[Chris]

someone said to go to the NASCAR site and read the comments about the fines..
I just went there,.. and seems to be a lot of "cherry-picking" by the web site administrator going on.

I saw SEVERAL people who had said their (negative) post had been deleted,.. and over 60 so far in total (all negative)
Currently there are ONLY 5 pages of replies.. (about 20 per page).. so thats about 100 posts... not counting the 60 to thats been removed.  At least 1/2 of the post there now are negative... and if you add all that up, that is an overwhelming majority of people who are upset with the fines, and the way 'rules' () are imposed

[just a fan]

Very interesting topic. I find several points I can agree with. In a nutshell it is NASCAR's toybox and drivers should have to play by the rules. I don't think it is good for the sport when a participant makes remarks that cause everyone to question the integrity of NASCAR. On the other hand I think NASCAR has to be honest with the fans. Rules should be posted and applied evenly with everyone. The Mayfield incident comes to mind when NASCAR refused to even tell the drivers what they considered banned substances but instead said they would review the issues as they came up.
Not applying the rules to everyone happens in every sport. Watch the last couple of minutes of an NBA game and see how may fouls are not called and who they are called on when they are called. The NFL does not call every holding penalty and does treat some situations different.
But NASCAR drivers should be able to say anything they want as long as it does not put the sports integrity into question. Those comments should be made privately to NASCAR. No different that the SEC in football. Coaches are no longer allowed to make public comments concerning the refs.

[Chris]

well I'll have to agree with what Kyle P said on his spot "Kyles Corner"
This is all news because of what happened at Atlanta.
That was a SERIOUS issue... Here a guy that is many MANY laps down fixes his car and intentionally comes back out on the track and intentionally wrecks a guy running in the top 10.  NO justification for that what so ever.  Edwards don't have a leg to stand on with any type of excuse... and best I remember he didn't deny it was intentional.

THAT'S when NASCAR should of had enough balls to step up and suspend Edwards..
They KNOW they screwed up then... so they are making some kind of lame gesture to fix it now.

[scott b]

The question I would ask is this... should NASCAR model itself after stick and ball sports, or after the short track racing that it grew out of?

Kids are taught from the time they are old enough to swing a bat not to argue with an umpire, so it's easier to accept MLB fining a player or manager for griping about the officiating.

On the other hand, go to your local track on a Saturday night and tell the boys that they can't be outspoken with criticism about how the show is run...     (they may not ever WIN the argument, but they will say what they want to say).

[Chris]

On the other hand, go to your local track on a Saturday night and tell the boys that they can't be outspoken with criticism about how the show is run...     (they may not ever WIN the argument, but they will say what they want to say).

I have worked at a couple different short tracks, and also a traveling race series.. it is typical for drivers and crew to be allowed to speak their mind, and voice their opinions.  All that is ask is that people not be hot-headed or aggressive toward officials.
So yeah.. racers seem to brought up from the beginning that it is welcome for them to speak their mind, and their input is welcomed.

[Chris]

kind of off the original topic.... but it does follow along with the 'dictatorship' thee that has been discussed..  I read this at NASCAR.com
concerning a meeting the race team owners had to discuss items concerning racing

.....and owners in attendance earlier this month decided to call a meeting for further discussion among a larger group of participants.

NASCAR approved of the idea

Seems funny to me how NASCAR had to "approve" that they could have a meeting.
Last I remember this is a free country, and people could gather and hold a meeting anytime they wanted to... to discuss whatever they wanted to.  IMO I can't see why NASCAR would have to (nor should be ASKED) to approve anything

[Montvale]

 Latest news is ........Ryan Newman and Denny Hamlin, as most of us thought.

 http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/cup/news/story?id=5417758