The Frontstretch: The Daytona 500 -- From Feel Good Story to Bad Taste In My Mouth by Jeff Meyer -- Thursday February 21, 2008

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The Daytona 500 -- From Feel Good Story to Bad Taste In My Mouth

Voices From The Heartland · Jeff Meyer · Thursday February 21, 2008

 

Overall, last Sunday's Daytona 500 seemed to go pretty well, from my standards anyway. The racing was ok, and while I do admit to catching a 60 lap mid-race nap, the ending, with the prospect of Sprint's arch-rival AT&T sponsored car capturing the checkers, almost made me wet my pants with delight.

Fortunately for me, seeing as how the ambient wind-chill in my neck of the woods was about MINUS the AT&T's car number at the time, Jeff Burton did not win, thus saving me from the "mini-bike scene" in the cult movie Dumb and Dumber, that the ride home in my heater-less pickup would have produced. The next best scenario did happen, however.

Neither one of my least favorite drivers won, the Alltel wireless car did, ending a long winless streak for the likable Ryan Newman, and I was saved from certain pain, embarrassment and loss of leg hair.

The scenes from Victory Lane were equally heart warming. A beaming 30 to 1 long shot basking in the glow of the biggest victory of his career, an emotionally choked up father realizing the dreams of his son, and everyone drenched in what ever drink is the Official Sponsor of the Daytona Victory Lane nowadays. All in all, it was a race and an outcome that I could live with.

Ever since Ryan burst onto the NASCAR scene, blistering tracks with his now famous qualifying speeds earning him the nick name "Rocket Man", NASCAR has always pointed out that Ryan is not only fast, he is also educated. The man holds a degree in vehicle structural engineering from Purdue University.

In NASCAR's eyes, Ryan was the best tool they had going for them in their quest to distance themselves from the "vehicle de-structural engineering" degrees that the perceived average ‘redneck' fan possessed that, until recently, Brian France so despised.

Now, however, just a few days removed from all the joy and elation of Ryan's win, some statements have been made that have left a bitter taste in my mouth. Quite frankly, I am dumb founded. Even more astounding is the fact that these statements had nothing to with Brian France or NASCAR.

Patrick Carpentier is bound and determined to make an impact in the Cup Series in 2008 — he’s one of four open-wheel standouts making the transition to stock car racing.

Seems that the man millions saw on Sunday, all choked up over his son's crowning achievement, Ryan's father Greg, has a long standing beef with his son's alma mater and in no way wants them to benefit from his son's recent 1.5 million windfall. Why you may ask? Because while Ryan attended college and raced on the weekends, winning the 1999 U.S. Auto Club Silver Crown title, Purdue did not recognize him as a student athlete.

“They should have helped him, but they didn’t cut him any slack,” the elder Newman said. “They didn’t recognize him as being a racer. Now they do.”

Why is it that, just when you are feeling good about something, someone has to open their mouth and say something really, really stupid?

Allow me to go on record here and point out what should be extremely obvious.

When you go to college, you are paying for an education. You are not entitled to special consideration. You are buying knowledge that, if you apply it right, is going to sustain you through out your life. Why should the hobby that you enjoy on the weekends take precedent over your studies?

Yes, there are those student athletes that perhaps, right or wrong, do get some type of breaks with scheduling etc. but that is a different ball game. In those instances, it is a give and take. The student/athlete plays ball or whatever for the college, perhaps generating some revenue for said college and, the student in return gets breaks and or scholarships.

Thankfully, I am not the only "Mr. Obvious" left in the world. As Purdue assistant athletic director Tom Schott so aptly pointed out…

Schott said, “We have 18 varsity sports here, but we don’t have varsity auto racing.”

Now, I have no doubt that Ryan's parents made many sacrifices during his educational process and early racing career. In fact, I find it refreshingly admirable that a college degree was a pre-requisite they demanded from Ryan in exchange for supporting his racing dreams, but Mr. Newman is way out of line in his lambasting of Purdue.

Any sacrifices they may have made are now being paid back a thousand times over. Greg Newman took a gamble back then and now he is seeing a huge payoff. The trivial little issue of Ryan getting a scheduling break or whatever he is complaining about is totally asinine. If anything, Ryan's experience at Purdue is nothing short of hard work and determination adds to his character as an overall individual.

That, Mr. Newman, after all, is why you sent him to college in the first place. Now is the time to sit back, shut up, and just be the proud father of the fine man you worked so hard to raise. Your gamble paid off. You were lucky. For every "Greg Newman", there are thousands upon thousands of parents that settle for just the pride of their offspring's mere chance of attendance to a fine university such as Purdue.

Stay off the wall,

Jeff Meyer

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Johnboy60
02/21/2008 10:00 AM
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Now Jeff, There you go sounding like baby brian, not wanting to hear any negatives(unless they come from you) last time I looked we still had free speech, for as long as it lasts. He is allowed to have his opinion. You don’t have to like, crying about will just get him more lines in the columns. I for one thank you for that!!

Jerry F. Mallard
02/21/2008 11:31 AM
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JEFF: walk a mile in his shoes before you make a total a— of yourself! The man has an opinion and good for him letting it out!

Larry Johnson
02/21/2008 01:39 PM
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NASCRAP’s treatment of R. Gordan put another bad taste in my mouth and its quite full of their crap now. Turns me right off!

RaceFan46
02/21/2008 01:56 PM
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What is likely happening is that Purdue is claiming ties to RN, as if they were always there supporting his racing efforts while enrolled. This isn’t uncommon – as soon as a graduate (or drop out as in the case of my college) makes it huge, they lay claim to them whether they knew they existed outside of the tuition check or not. Don’t criticize RN’s dad for his opinion regarding something very personal to him and his family. Weak.

Rick
02/21/2008 02:16 PM
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Larry… Couldn’t agree with you more!! 2007, both the #10 (Riggs) and #19 (Sadler) violated Sections 12-4-A, Sections 12-4-Q, and 20-2.1E (unapproved aerodynamic modification). Both were penalized 25 points with $25,000 penalties. In 2008, Robbie Gordon violates 12-4-A, 12-4-Q and 20-3-10A (front bumper) and gets a 100 point penalty with a $100,000 fine. What is the difference?? The only thing Nascar is consistent with is their inconsistency. AND Riggs and Sadler had all year to prepare their 2007 cars. EVERYONE knows Gordon had one week to prepare his car. How fair is all this crap??

Douglas
02/21/2008 02:19 PM
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Talk about a bad taste in one’s mouth! My mouth tastes so bad from NA$CAR’S Robby Gordon penalty that I positively want to throw up!

This one’s for you NA$CAR!!

BARF!!!

As far as Newman’s Father
and the Purdue thing!!

As a writer here said, Purdue never supported Ryan, now they want to jump on the bandwagon!

BOO PURDUE!!

Douglas
02/21/2008 02:30 PM
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RE: Robby Gordon’s penalty vs. Hendrick Motorsports penalties (read that Jr.s penalty).

FACT: Robby Gordon did not intentionally place the wrong part on his car! This equals -100 points!

FACT: Hendrick Motorsports INTENTIONALLY & PURPOSELY altered their part AFTER THE CAR WENT THRU AND PASSED TECHNICAL INSPECTION! -50 POINTS!

Does NA$CAR think we are all so very stupid that those penalties make any sense or logic at all??

(apparently they do), Yep!! I am a DUNCE!!

NOT!!!

Bobb
02/21/2008 03:23 PM
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an article because a driver’s father says something about an unrelated institution?

Jeff… listen up; get this thru your head.

Racing happens on the track…
I don’t give a flying flip about anything except what happens on the track.
This is a soap opera article! Post it somewhere, anywhere, except a website about racing.

What a waste of a chance to write about racing.

sparxmoore
02/21/2008 03:37 PM
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as far as mr mewman speaking out ..good for him ,its fine PURDUE didnt consider racing a sport THEN , but dont jump on the bandwagon now ,and if he hadnt pointed this out WHO would know? AS far as the penalty deal goes : WAKE UP PEOPLE !! you know damn well hendricks aint getting the same penalty as ROBBY GORDON no matter HOW BAD the infraction..just aint good businuess !!(lol) BUT on the subject of the ALLTEL win …I LOVED EVERY BIT OF IT ,and i am not a newman fan . It should serve as a message to mr france that no matter how much cash he except to keep competition from happening ,racers overcome everything even the odds , the only thing better than that was TOYOTA losing to dodge !!!HAHAHAHAHAHAHA Who says money is everything !!!

mike
02/21/2008 04:18 PM
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I agree with the elder Newman.

abcdefg
02/21/2008 05:03 PM
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Not all opinions are worth hearing. Most of them aren’t informed and a waste of everyone’s time. It’s unfortunate, it’s not fun to think about, but it’s the truth. Most people just aren’t very smart.

Greg Newman did make a fool of himself. It was embarrassing to watch. Ryan Newman racing in college did nothing for the college, and so, they shouldn’t be obligated to do anything back. That’s besides the point, Greg could have used his breath cherishing his son’s accomplishment rather than rehash a grudge from years ago on TV.

Chris2
02/21/2008 07:43 PM
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I have to say that I would’ve thought the Robby Gordon incident would’ve been better material for an article. That situation is just unbelievable…

Joe
02/21/2008 11:27 PM
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Rick –
Larry… Couldn’t agree with you more!! 2007, both the #10 (Riggs) and #19 (Sadler) violated Sections 12-4-A, Sections 12-4-Q, and 20-2.1E (unapproved aerodynamic modification). Both were penalized 25 points with $25,000 penalties. In 2008, Robbie Gordon violates 12-4-A, 12-4-Q and 20-3-10A (front bumper) and gets a 100 point penalty with a $100,000 fine. What is the difference?? The only thing Nascar is consistent with is their inconsistency. AND Riggs and Sadler had all year to prepare their 2007 cars. EVERYONE knows Gordon had one week to prepare his car. How fair is all this crap??

Just wanted to point out that those infractions were with the old car. I don’t like what happened to Robby and think it’s BS, but it is consistent. COT penalties for Jr., Gordon, and Johnson were all 100 points, $100,000 and six week crew chief suspension.

 

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