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TMS president offers drivers a 'reward' for throwing helmet
By Kenny Bruce - Assistant Managing Editor
Saturday, March 01, 2008
LAS VEGAS – Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage says he was glad to learn that NASCAR has decided to loosen the reins on drivers this season, and as a result he has put up a “reward” for any helmet tossed during competition.
“I’m offering $15,000 for any helmet thrown by a Cup series driver during a race between now and the April 6th Samsung 500,” Gossage said in a statement from TMS released Friday. “I have a huge helmet collection from drivers through the years and it would be great to add to the collection.”
NASCAR officials said earlier this year that past on-track incidents involving participants in its Sprint Cup Series led to stiffer penalties for such infractions. As a result, fans have complained that much of the color and emotion has been removed from the sport.
Brian France, NASCAR CEO, said in January that officials were looking at the situation, “and making sure that our policies of enforcement don’t make it where our drivers can’t express themselves.
“There are lots of characters in our sport. There’s lots of emotion flying fast and heavy at the events,” France said. “What you’re always worried about really isn’t necessarily the specific incident, it’s really escalation. That’s what commissioners and officials in any sport are mostly concerned with. But on your way to making sure things don’t escalate, you want to be pretty stern with your penalties. There’s no question it can ... restrict ... the drivers expressing themselves. We want to see more of that.”
Gossage, continually looking for ways to promote his sprawling facility, as well as the sport itself, says he believes that “as NASCAR allows the drivers to open up and show their personalities – even their frustrations – I imagine the likelihood of true emotions are more likely to bubble to the top.
“I’ve seen some helmets thrown during a race and never have they injured anyone or damaged another driver’s car. We’ll see what happens.”
The $15,000 is available to the driver or will be paid to the charity of the driver’s choice. The helmet must be thrown on the race track during competition.
Speedway Motorsports Inc. Chairman and CEO Bruton Smith, told of the reward, noted that “a lot of good things come out of Texas that are extremely clever. We need drama. We don’t have enough drama anymore. We need somebody to get out of the car and slap somebody."
2009 Sprint Cup Race for the Chase Standings
Driver Standings after the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500
| 1 | Jimmie Johnson | 6492 |
| 2 | Mark Martin | -108 |
| 3 | Jeff Gordon | -169 |
| 4 | Kurt Busch | -211 |
| 5 | Tony Stewart | -285 |
| 6 | Juan Pablo Montoya | -289 |
| 7 | Greg Biffle | -321 |
| 8 | Denny Hamlin | -352 |
| 9 | Ryan Newman | -411 |
| 10 | Kasey Kahne | -476 |
| 11 | Carl Edwards | -520 |
| 12 | Brian Vickers | -666 |
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