So, I've had a few comminiques in the last week or so about some of the stuff thats getting talked about here in the last little while and I just wanted to throw a couple of thoughts up here..and they're probably the opposite of what folks have come to expect from me.

Since our 'full moon" night a couple of weeks ago, and leading to this past week's events, things have been a little interesting at Delaware....for better or worse. Some things have been reported, and there's been other folks that haven't been too keen on the chatter that's arisen from it. A couple of times its been hinted privately that we moderate some of these threads, whether it be to avoid negativity, or just because it made somebody look not-quite-as-squeaky clean as they would like to be percieved.

Now, we certainly don't want negativity on the boards as a regular thing. But it happens. It would be nice if everything was sushine and roses...but sometimes it isn't. We don't have a problem moderating "poison" threads if they're just full of hearsay and rumor...only because it's often based on nothing. We don't have a problem nipping a thread if all it is is incessant bickering back and forth that leads nowhere. That stuff is pointless and doesn't do anyone any good...we have the Code of Conduct to cover that.

However...the point of the message boards is to keep the community informed by promoting discussion and reporting events that happen - sometimes with reports like mine and Vokey's, sometimes via linking to other stories, sometimes with posted photos etc. And that's what's been happening. And its all good.

But I want to remind everyone that racing doesn't happen in a vacuum. Not at Delaware or anywhere else. People are everywhere and people will talk. If you do something stupid on the track or in the pits, or even in the stands, don't come crying to the mods because you don't like that people are talking about it on the boards.

You are responsible for your own actions and the way you are publicly percieved. You (nor I or any other board rep) cannot control public opinion. This is addressed to drivers, crews, fans AND officials.

We will step in when it is out of line or somehow not fair...but that's as far as it goes. If you do or say something dumb and it gets reported here as news...that's your problem.

this can be said for

-Lying in wait on the track to ram someone into the fence.
-Physically confronting another driver in the pits.
-Not being able to control your race car or driving so poorly that it causes undue trouble for other competitors.
-not knowing how to hold your lane
-not backing out in a turn when all you have is a nose in
-Rubbing first with no clean attempt at a pass.
-Mirror blocking
-Saying something dumb on mic

right down to officials

-Not applying the rules fairly.
-Coming down on guys who complain about rules ambiguities,
-inconsistent officiating
-ego-tripping and posturing

Bottom line folks, if its something you dont want on the boards...then don't do it. It doesn't matter who you are. In fact, the number one best way to stay off the boards is to "be" the way you want to be "percieved". Keep your nose clean and good stuff will get said about you.

Contrary to popular opinion, we're not babysitters here.

Shadow Out