Unrestricted
A NASCAR BLOG BY Art Weinstein
- TEXT SIZE: Increase Text Size Decrease Text Size Reset Text Size
- 5 Comments. Leave a Comment
- Digg This
- Add to Del.icio.us
- RSS Feeds
It’s part of the job
Oct
2
We’ve all seen it before. You’re watching the local news, and a story airs about a house fire. As the charred remains of the house smolder in the background, a reporter asks the owner, “How does it feel to see your house burn to the ground?”
Substitute any number of other tragedies (car accident, tornado, hurricane, etc.) for house fire, and we see this scene all the time. A reporter corners a distraught person, at a time of great crisis in his or her life, and asks a question that seems painfully obvious, insensitive, even stupid.
You can’t compare Kyle Busch’s disastrous first three races in NASCAR’s 2008 Chase For The Sprint Cup to a house fire or other such calamity, but after each race, the same scenario has unfolded. Reporters have had to talk to Busch, the driver who started the Chase atop the standings.
These meetings have not been pleasant. At New Hampshire, after Busch finished 34th, the driver snuck out of his hauler, leaving the track without comment. Some reporters and fans ripped him for that behavior.
Last week, after a third consecutive bad race left him 311 points behind the Chase leader, Busch stuck around to talk, but some fans thought his comments were rude and condescending.
Let’s face it – this type of postrace interview is no fun for anyone. As a reporter, I’d almost rather have a root canal than have to ask a driver what went wrong and how he feels to see his championship dreams destroyed.
These postrace interviews are easy for the winner or a driver who’s had a good day. They are very tough when the topic is, “What went wrong?”
But it’s part of the job, for both reporters and drivers, that those questions be answered. As he matures, Busch will come to understand that.
Substitute any number of other tragedies (car accident, tornado, hurricane, etc.) for house fire, and we see this scene all the time. A reporter corners a distraught person, at a time of great crisis in his or her life, and asks a question that seems painfully obvious, insensitive, even stupid.
You can’t compare Kyle Busch’s disastrous first three races in NASCAR’s 2008 Chase For The Sprint Cup to a house fire or other such calamity, but after each race, the same scenario has unfolded. Reporters have had to talk to Busch, the driver who started the Chase atop the standings.
These meetings have not been pleasant. At New Hampshire, after Busch finished 34th, the driver snuck out of his hauler, leaving the track without comment. Some reporters and fans ripped him for that behavior.
Last week, after a third consecutive bad race left him 311 points behind the Chase leader, Busch stuck around to talk, but some fans thought his comments were rude and condescending.
Let’s face it – this type of postrace interview is no fun for anyone. As a reporter, I’d almost rather have a root canal than have to ask a driver what went wrong and how he feels to see his championship dreams destroyed.
These postrace interviews are easy for the winner or a driver who’s had a good day. They are very tough when the topic is, “What went wrong?”
But it’s part of the job, for both reporters and drivers, that those questions be answered. As he matures, Busch will come to understand that.
Other Blogs
Recent Blog Postings
- Jimmie Johnson too good to be true?
by Art Weinstein | 11/29/2008 - Does winning the Daytona 500 jinx a driver's season?
by Kenny Bruce | 11/29/2008 - NASCAR races aren't boring
by David Exum | 11/26/2008 - Cracking the big three of Jimmie, Carl and Kyle will be tough
by Bob Pockrass | 11/25/2008 - Tough Nationwide season for Brad Keselowski
by Jared Turner | 11/24/2008 - Plenty to think about while waiting for 2009 Cup season to begin
by Rea White | 11/23/2008 - NASCAR should leave some money on the table
by Mike Hembree | 11/21/2008
Poll Position
Which NASCAR competitor should be Driver of the Year?
Comments
5 responses to "It’s part of the job"
david larison said:
Oct 3, 2008 at 1:44 PMI don't think he ever will understand. That's why HMS kicked him out.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportjim blazek said:
Oct 4, 2008 at 12:48 PMHis brother learned it but now he does nothing to be interviewed for.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportWorm Dirt said:
Oct 4, 2008 at 8:56 PMHow does that expression go?..... something like.... "Those that can race, do. Those that CAN'T, write about it." Whatever....... I get so sick of reading about journalists who can't get past THEMSELVES. What is it about being a robot, Mr. Weinstein, that scares you so much about anyone who doesn't share your phony robotic conformist aspirations????? You should be on your knees thanking Kyle Busch for giving you something to condescend and spout your phony ethicical journalist morality towards!!!!! If'n you don't like it, why not go interview Mark Martin..... i'm confident he won't so much as HESITATE to blow some sunshine up your a@# free of charge. Thanks for continuing to lower the bar.....
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportCAROL LANDERS said:
Oct 7, 2008 at 10:12 AMhey worm dirt !!!!!!!!!!!!!! thats tellin em !!!!!!!!
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportGreg Foster said:
Oct 29, 2008 at 11:26 AMWow... talk about being sensitive. Hey if you guys are as big of nascar fans as you seem, then you should check out www.rickrushart.com. He's got some really awesome nascar paintings! Just thought you'd like to know.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Report