Posted on February 28, 2008

Fair? Consistent?

by Ruth Mattern About The Author	Email   Print

My mother always said "Fair is a carnival that comes to town every year with games and rides. That's the only fair and consistency you can be sure of". Although NASCAR comes to town every year, and they have games and rides, I wouldn't consider them fair or consistent! But, sometimes they are a carnival.

A week has passed since NASCAR announced the penalties that Robby Gordon’s team would be assessed for using an unapproved nose on their #7, Jim Beam Dodge. Many people, including me, think the penalty was too extreme considering the circumstances. You can go to many sites and read the blogs and comments concerning those penalties. Although, there are some fans that feel it is a just punishment, there are many more who feel the penalty NASCAR dealt to Gordon was excessive and unfair. I think they have the tendency to do that to Gordon quite often. I know Gordon's head-strong ways have gotten him into trouble more than once, but I think NASCAR takes a special thrill in putting him on the chopping block.

As most of you know, Gordon’s team ran Fords in 2007. Gordon tested with a Ford in January. They switched manufactures just prior to Daytona’s speed week opting to work together with GEM and drive Dodge cars this season. He received the parts from the manufacturer and his team built his cars practically overnight. Dodge inadvertently sent the new Charger nose which is awaiting NASCAR’s approval for use. There was, evidentially a mix-up at the warehouse. Both noses are stored there and the part numbers are similar. So, by human error, the incorrect nose was sent to Gordon's team. In fact, the only difference in the two noses is the decal imprints. They obviously would have gained no advantage by using that nose. The approved nose is the Avenger nose, but they run it with the Charger nameplate. Because the team hadn’t been running Dodges, they did not notice that it was the incorrect part. They actually put the same nose on 11 other cars at their shop in NC which will all have to be changed. Of course, the car failed inspection in Daytona because they were using an unapproved part. Thus, the penalty. This was all done prior to the race. They immediately changed the nose on their Dodge and passed inspection with no other problems. The penalty--100 points, $100,000, and a 6 race suspension for the crew chief.

Dodge has stepped up and told NASCAR that it was their mistake. They take full responsibility for the error. And that’s all it was, an error. Jim Beam has written a letter to NASCAR stating that they stand behind Gordon and his team and they have an online petition that they are presenting to NASCAR. That says a lot for the integrity of the team.

NASCAR says they are trying to level the field. They want to make things better for the smaller teams that don’t have the big bucks that the larger, multi-car teams have. That train of thought is not apparent in this particular scenario. Consistency is important, but so are circumstances

The ‘powers-that-be” say they know that is was unintentional. There was no malice involved. There was no advantage. It was human error, an honest mistake. But their stand is that any driver would say the same thing, “It was a mistake.” They are just trying to be consistent in their penalties. This penalty is equal to the ones they doled out last year. But is the punishment equal to the crime? Gordon’s team did not add anything to their fuel as was the case with one team last year. They didn’t alter the car, (I think it was in the area of the rear fender?) like two cars from another team did. Nor did they use improper brackets on their rear spoiler. Which is what my driver’s team did. I know…I know…wrong brackets, wrong nose…what’s the difference? It’s like comparing apples to oranges. Maybe it was an honest mistake using the wrong brackets too. Who knows? But the fact remains, that particular team did not have a sudden change in manufacturers. They knew their car, and they knew what parts were supposed to be on it. Of course, someone could have accidentally given them the wrong brackets. That’s what I like to believe anyway.

Robby Gordon is a passionate driver. And sometimes that passion gets him into trouble. But that’s not the situation here. It’s true; by NASCAR's rules they must penalize Gordon’s team for using an unapproved part. I understand that. I just think they were too extreme considering there was no foul play intended. He is one of the last owner/drivers out there. A loss of 100 points could be devastating to that team in the long run. But, even that is not the point here. The point is that NASCAR should look at the facts and judge accordingly.

Maybe NASCAR is gaining consistency while losing the spirit of sportsmanship. They were consistent in their penalties against Kurt Busch and Tony Stewart for their altercation at Daytona. They both received the same penalty. That’s pretty consistent. But look at what the drivers did. Stewart made contact with Busch. It was on-track, probably racing related. There was no apparent intent involved. Busch, in return, loses his temper and retaliates by running into Stewart’s car heading for pit road (not the first time that has happened). They were not on pit road and no crew member’s safety was at risk…so, no harm, no foul. Stewart keeps his cool, which in itself is unusual (he also is a very passionate driver). Stewart blocked Busch’s entrance to the garage while letting other cars go in, but he made no contact with Busch. I think that was pretty calm for Stewart. Yet, they received the same penalty. Same punishment yet the crimes weren't the same. I guess that’s being consistent too. Don't get me wrong. I'm a fan of old-school racing. I like the emotions and the passion and the trading paint. I like the rivalries. I love the Tony and Kurt show.

NASCAR should take all the facts into account, weigh their options and consider the circumstances that were involved before dishing out their penalties. At least try to be a little fair about it.

I've ranted enough for one day, so I'll just stop here before I really get carried away.

NASCAR, you make it difficult for me to be a fan. Hopefully, you have seen the light and made it right for the #7 team. Or maybe I'll wake up and find out it's all just been a bad dream.

You can contact Ruth at rmattern@nc.rr.com

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