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Jared Turner: NASCAR erred in placing Busch, Edwards on probation

By Jared Turner - SceneDaily Staff Writer

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Article Rating: 2.5
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COMMENTARY

NASCAR’s decision to place Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards on matching six-week probations for their actions in the Aug. 23 Sprint Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway sends a mixed message to drivers.
 
It seems I have some recollection of NASCAR Chairman Brian France saying before the season that the sanctioning body planned to loosen the reins a bit this year, allowing competitors to express their emotions without as much risk of subsequent punishment.
 
Actually, France’s exact decree was that series executives were “making sure that our policies of enforcement don’t make it where our drivers can’t express themselves.”
 
Well, hats off to NASCAR for holding up its end of the bargain – until now, that is.
 
In case you’ve been on vacation or under a rock the past eight days, here’s the brief synopsis of the events at Bristol that prompted NASCAR to place its two hottest drivers on probation this past Wednesday.
 
Edwards taps Busch with 31 laps to go, moving Busch out of the way just enough for Edwards to slip past and take the lead. After finishing second, Busch retaliates by bumping Edwards twice on the cool-down lap. Edwards spins Busch on the cool-down lap before heading to victory lane.
 
That’s it.
 
There were no punches thrown. There were no helmets hurled. There was no property damage. It was just a couple guys – who happen be NASCAR’s best of 2008 – trading bumps and barbs in the heat of battle.
 
So why, for goodness sake, place them on probation for the next six races, four of which will be in the Chase For The NASCAR Sprint Cup?
 
Weren’t the antics of Busch and Edwards the quintessential act of drivers expressing themselves as France described in the preseason?
 
Sure, some people will argue that a six-week probation is almost meaningless since no points or money were taken. While I understand the reasoning behind this point of view, it’s also important to remember what the “probation” will entail: NASCAR keeping a closer-than-usual eye on Busch and Edwards over the next six weeks to ensure that they don’t tangle again. Get into another bumping match, and penalties, not probation, could be the next course of action.
 
And no driver in his right senses wants to risk a points penalty in the middle of the Chase.
 
For that reason, no one could fault Busch or Edwards if either proceeds with extra caution around the other in the next six races.
 
The risk of getting into another tussle, and losing points, is just too great.
 
And that’s too bad, really.
 
A feud between the two drivers who have been head and shoulders above the competition this season is just what NASCAR could use to bring extra attention to its playoff.
 
Rivalries, or at least the appearance of them, drive ratings. And controversy, or at least the potential for it, stirs emotions and causes fans to gobble up tickets. 

Just ask Dale Earnhardt Jr.
 
“The fans are definitely more enamored in what’s happening and what’s going on [now],” the Hendrick Motorsports driver said Friday, noting that he believes Busch and Edwards didn’t deserve to be penalized. “They’re a whole lot more immersed in the drama of it. They really feed off of that.”
 
In this age of sponsor-driven political correctness among competitors, nothing is more refreshing than witnessing two drivers beat and bang and be unafraid to push the envelope when the checkered flag and trophy are on the line.
 
Controversy and rivalries – hello, Petty vs. Pearson, Earnhardt vs. Waltrip, etc. - are entrenched in the history of this sport.
 
And they are just as pivotal to its future.
 
So why make drivers think they can show their emotions in the heat of battle, only to try to put out the fire before it reaches a full blaze?
 
That’s not just a mixed message. It’s the wrong one.

Average Rating: 2.5

Comments

7 responses to "Jared Turner: NASCAR erred in placing Busch, Edwards on probation"
  1. 1
    Grover rickman said:
    Aug 31, 2008 at 8:14 AM

    Jared,think about what you are saying,cool downlaps bumping and banging,and then trading bumps and barbs in the heat of battle,you can not have it both ways the Race was OVER, Hence COOL DOWN LAPS.as long as they do not tangle after Race is Over its all GOOD!!!

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  2. 2
    Anonymous said:
    Aug 31, 2008 at 12:47 PM

    I certainly agree with you Jared. Let the two of them show some spirit, not like some of the boring like vanilla drivers we have to put up with!!!!!

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  3. 3
    Wanda Mouton said:
    Aug 31, 2008 at 12:49 PM

    The correct spelling in your column's second paragraph is "...loosen the reins...," not "loosen the reigns." I apologize if I seem picky, but I'm a teacher. I enjoyed the column, though!

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  4. 4
    4da88 said:
    Aug 31, 2008 at 1:07 PM

    The penalty came because of the use of their vehicles to retaliate. Potential danger to other drivers on the track. If they wanted to be manly about it and face off after they got out of their vehicles, I don't believe they would have been placed on probabtion. Eh, they will be fine even though they are on probation. They will still be able to drive against each other agressively. KB will still be able to call Carl names. All is good.

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  5. 5
    MArk Smith said:
    Sep 1, 2008 at 6:52 AM

    Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch both have pretty extreme tempers, which is why they are the best of the best. I bet when they "tangled" they were just having a little fun with each other.

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  6. 6
    Bob Snyder said:
    Sep 1, 2008 at 7:16 AM

    I think there are points on both sides. However, it should remain professional. Busch's comments this week calling Edwards "Mr.Ed" was personal and should not have been said or aired.

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  7. 7
    Rose Sweeney said:
    Sep 1, 2008 at 9:50 AM

    I agree with 4da88. The potential danger to other drivers coming off the track (most with their safety belts undone) was the real issue. If drivers want to duke it out-let them bang their heads together in the garage area but don't use the cars as weapons and others could get caught up in the mess.

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