What Think Ye of NASCAR “Drama”

 

Kevin Harvick winning at Charlotte actually Cued the Circus Music

Keep in mind that UMBRAGE is good.

So, last week Charlotte turned into a Festival of Spider Monkeys when Brad Keselowski — who gives me an Eddie Haskell vibe, which might just be due to physical resemblance — got crazy at the end of the race and started bashing people on the cool down laps.

He even tagged Tony Stewart on pit road (-ish, technically on the apron coming into the pit, I guess) -- insert gasp here -- which caused Mr. Stewart to slap his car into reverse and back into Mr. Keselowski’s car in a classic butt-first demolition derby move.

THEN, there was Dukes of Hazzard-like driving through the pit road and Matt Kenseth and Denny Hamlin wantin’ a piece of Brad. Kenseth even managed to go for a headlock on Brad in between haulers. SUBMISSION HOLD! Ask him … Ask him … (vague pro wrestling reference there).

Well, when all the smoke (har) — and the 2,321 media stories and posted videos — cleared, NASCAR said (pro hockey arena announcer voice) “Here are the penalties …”

Brad got fined $50,000 and Tony got fined $25,000 for conduct unbecoming for the bashing on the apron. Sort of like off-setting unsportsmanlike penalties. Nobody else got fined. Story on the penalties here.

Cue the UMBRAGE …

• Tony Stewart, who has some of the most loyal and loving fans I have ever encountered, was decried by some as a victim of Keselowski and unjustly penalized. The Mainstream Media added to Hurricane Umbrage by doing stories that focused on Tony’s use of reverse to express displeasure and brought up Kevin Ward again.
• Nobody who scuffled or drove through the garage area in what I thought was an unsafe manner got penalized.
• NASCAR DECRIED AS FAUX! Those persons who see NASCAR as faux, “gimmicky,” inauthentic etc. etc. racing pointed to this as yet more proof of their position.
• "ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?” echoed across the landscape from those who think entertainment is good, regardless of the source.
• Concerns voiced about tamping down the emotion and passion in racing by fining emotional and passionate speech and action.

So I think …

• The fines for the bashing on the apron/pit road were justified. Boys Have at It does not extend to pit lane/waiting to enter pit lane. Unfortunate that Stewart was involved, but when he shifted into reverse and floored it he opened himself to a penalty.
• The fact that some media outlets (by no means all) seized on the incident and brought up the Kevin Ward situation is not shocking. Whether that angle is justified or not is a legit debate, but given how the real world works I would have been more surprised if some media somewhere didn't go down that road. I honestly said to myself "temper, temper" when Stewart backed into Keselowski. Just being honest with ya.
• No sanctions for reckless (IMO) driving through the garage is a mistake. That’s the behavior you WANT to discourage because it could get someone run over, soI would have spanked the offenders. Because cars are driven to and from garages in NASCAR, the garage area is legit dangerous during practice sessions and after races. You’ve got to keep your head on a swivel to stay out of the way of cars as it is, even if they aren't chasing each other around in anger --- in the dimly lit garage area.
• I WAS entertained. I admit that. People flying at each other like spider monkeys, you just don’t see that every day. Think about hockey fans who love fights. (Ironically, I get no entertainment from hockey fights and would be OK if they were BANNED, but that's another debate.)
• I don’t think displays of passion and emotion were harshed by NASCAR's penalties. Because nobody threw an actual punch, nobody got fined for the post-race pushing and shoving, which is consistent with previous no calls from NASCAR. And (thank you very much) the drivers actually talked with the media on the spot about what was up, expressing their umbrage about this and that, saying less-than-nice things about each other, and generally being passionate in a non-profane manner. No fine for that either.

For me, this is also more evidence that the new Chase playoff format is doing what NASCAR wants it to do: amp up intensity. Of course whether that’s a good goal is debatable, but if that IS the goal, then the new format is delivering.

Now we go to Talladega, a plate track that features the dreaded pack racing, where things get insane regularly and randomly. Add in this being an “elimination race” that cuts the field of championship contenders from 12 to 8 and you get desperate driving at Talladega. Somebody check the catch fences. It could break a record for the number of Big Ones in one race.

Whether this is all faux or “gimmicky” or ridiculous or not is a legit debate. But in my opinion the new Chase format is doing what NASCAR wants it to do, headlocks and all.

Related articles

NASCAR fines Brad Keselowski $50K, Tony Stewart $25K for Charlotte postrace actions

Keselowski jumped by Kenseth in fight after race

WATCH: Matt Kenseth attacks Brad Keselowski after race

Comments

[Ron Ford]

Jerry Springer on wheels. Instead of fines from the NASCAR refs the weekly protaginists should have to face Judge Judy.

It was all fun and games until...............

[redcar]

Despite the publicity, Nascar needs to put the kibosh on the (admittedly entertaining and series promoting) "using cars as weapons" behavior. Someone is going to seriously hurt and they're just playing russian roulette by allowing this to happen.

They can fight in the pit area all they want, the fights never amount to much anyway. I do get the feeling some of these drivers don't like each other--a racing series, as Nascar has always understood, needs "good guys" and "bad guys" to drive fan interest.

I have to admit I'm surprised at well the new "playoff" elimination thing is working. I had my doubts and it is so gimmicky--but it seems to be working. Maybe working better than the traditional points systems in other series. Maybe (we'll see) something Indycar should steal?

Kezlowski as Eddie Haskell--awesome, Dog.

[OSCA]

I was totally amazed that driving the car thru the garage, and leaving tire marks, a didn't get Bad Brad at least one race on the couch. NASCAR made a big mistake on that....and if it does continue...sooner or later someone will get hurt or killed.

In days long past a driver like Brad would have been met away from the track and made to understand that his behavior was, let's say, "unacceptable". Usually one such meeting resulted in better behavior, but I do remember on one such occasion...a very famous driver...had to be explained to for a second time that his physical well being depended on his behavior being modified...and he understood and was a good boy at least toward the offended driver.

The new Chase format is producing what it was intended to do....bring excitement....but what will fans think if JJ, Jr, Brad, and maybe even Jeff (not likely) are all gone??

[GeorgeK]

Keselowski is a moron with or without the new format. Boys being boys also has little to do with the format as well.

Having said that I do like the new format, much better than just a straight points fight to the finish as in days of old.\

Maybe they can take a lead from Bernie in F1 and award double points to the last race to REALLY make it interesting! (Just kidding, I find that idea laughable).

[The Speedgeek]

Yawn.