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Michael Waltrip’s
checkered history
followed him to Richmond
this past weekend. Any
long time fan shouldn’t
have been surprised to
see Michael lose his
temper once again and
ram Casey Mears’ after
the two tangled on the
front stretch. It’s
obvious from viewing the
replays that it was an
intentional act; one
only needs to listen to
Michael mash the gas for
several hundred feet
before “releasing”
Mears’ car. Waltrip has
a long history of
run-ins with NASCAR, as
well as other drivers:
·
1992, Martinsville:
After making contact
with Dave Marcis,
Waltrip punches Marcis
in the mouth. NASCAR
fines Waltrip $500.
·
1995, Michigan: After
racing hard with Lake
Speed in the closing
laps and receiving the
worst end of it; Waltrip
approaches Speed on pit
road and throws two
punches. Waltrip was
fined $10,000.
·
2002, Rockingham: In a
then-Busch Series race,
Waltrip and Green tangle
while racing with the
lead with two laps to
go. This led to a
series of incidents the
following three seasons.
·
2003, Bristol: Green and
Waltrip tangle again.
Waltrip finishes 42nd.
Rusty Wallace is a
victim of the ongoing
feud.
·
2005, Martinsville:
Waltrip and Green are
each involved in
separate incidents with
each other. This lead to
another confrontation at
Darlington.
·
2005, Darlington:
Waltrip and Green again
tangle three times in
this event. Green spun
Waltrip on lap seven.
Waltrip then returns the
favor later on the race.
Later, both drivers
tangle and end up taking
Kurt Busch with them.
Both drivers were called
to the NASCAR hauler
after the race.
·
2005, Loudon: Tangling
with Robby Gordon,
Waltrip is fined $10,000
and 25 points for making
an inappropriate
gesture. This penalty
was later rescinded by
the National Stock Car
Racing Commission.
·
2006, Loudon: Waltrip
and Gordon again tangle
at New Hampshire, this
time with Waltrip
receiving the worst end
of it.
·
*2007, Daytona: Waltrip
has his qualifying time
for the Daytona 500
disallowed and loses 100
points for an intake
manifold violation.
Waltrip’s crew chief,
David Hyder is fined
$100,000.
·
2008, Richmond: Waltrip
is parked for reckless
driving during the Crown
Royal 400 at Richmond.
* Describes an
incident off the track
Michael’s
latest incident is the
latest in a storied
history of conflicts
with other drivers.
Perhaps a couple of
weeks off from the
circuit will give him
the time he needs to
reflect on his past
actions.
However,
what I find equally
appalling was Michael’s
brother, Darrell
refusing to mention his
brother’s dangerous
on-track actions. The
time has come for
Darrell to be moved out
of the broadcasting
booth and onto pit road.
Darrell consistently
shows too much concern
when it comes to his
brother and neglects to
do his job—analyze the
action that is occurring
on the track.
Busch/Earnhardt
The bigger story this
weekend was Kyle Busch
making contact with Dale
Earnhardt Jr. and
spinning him out of the
lead. Busch went onto
finish second, Earnhardt,
15th. The
majority of the
mainstream media has
assailed Busch and
criticized Earnhardt’s
fan base.
I’m of the opinion that
the majority of these
writers don’t understand
the passion that comes
behind following your
favorite driver. When
your favorite driver
gets spun out of the
lead by one of the usual
villains, emotions run
high. NASCAR fans are
sick and tired of Kyle
Busch causing incidents
and still coming out of
them smelling like a
rose.
I’ve advocated for this
several times, but
NASCAR needs to do
something about Kyle
Busch. Two incidents in
one weekend is far too
many; some drivers don’t
have that many in a
season. Busch has been
involved in more than
his fair share and only
gets rewarded for doing
so.
You can
contact Mark at
modor@speedwaymedia.com
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