Link For discussion from ThatsRacin.com:
NASCAR finales livened up with drama
Jenna Freyer
So I'm watching the race and this stuff between Juan Pablo and Stewart. I'd already seen the business between Keslowski and Hamelin the night before, and now its got me wondering.
Long its been said that NASCAR has been a victim of its own sterility, but the tide seems to be changing. Sure, both Montoya and Hamilin both got penalized when they both deliberately went gunning for their opponents, but currently the media is portraying all of this as a good thing. "Its about time the racers started showing their true colors" say many of them.
I found the whole thing kind of amusing. I like both Stewart and Juan Pablo, and after the race, rehashing with my partner (who doesnt care much for Juan) I found myself adopting the Don Cherry defense. "Just a couple-a good guys doin what they felt they hadta do"
So while I agree that a little bit of this extra-curricular stuff can be the spice of racing, I do wonder just how far that goes before it starts getting stupid? How much is too much?
Mr Kesolowski is bound for a full time ride next year, and I have a funny feeling this question is going to keep coming up.
Just curious what everyone thinks.
As far as I'm concerned... the sport needs some rivalries, now that's not to say guys going out at these speeds spinning each other out is the safest thing to do, there is other ways to do it, but nascar needs this....
Nascar went ahead and penalized both Denny & Juan....but they were smiling on the inside you can be sure of that, the media loves it (I'm sure they wish this was mid-season so they could beat these two feuds to death) the fans like it....and I'm sure nascar does to, even though publicly they woundn't admit that.
Drivers showing there emotions is a good thing and help the sport with an entertainment. But using 800 hp weapons at 150 mp is a big problem. What if when Tony got dumped he created a pile up like Phoenix last week taking out several cars, ruining many guys days and taring up a lot of cars. This is not fair to to the innocent drivers, owners, sponsors and crews that all work so hard to be there and there day ends over stupidity. Or worse what is someone actually got hurt!!! But there is nothing wrong with talking to the media and even a confrontation after the race but Nascar needs to keep this of the track.
This stuff has been going on as long as there has been racing. NASCAR will penalise them with their fingers crossed behind their backs 😉 As far as taking someone out......stuff happens. These guys are safer in these cars now then if they were walking down any street. Dale Sr would ride a guys bumper for laps on end until the guy crashed himself. Back in the day guys would have "Special Bumpers" that would shear off valve stems. It goes on and on and is part of the sport. The sport has always been the best when the drivers policed themselves.