I forgot about some of those incidents. I wonder if the drivers are "in the know" concerning these quality set ups? What do you think? Maybe the drivers should be a little more accountable as well. I know you cant suspend a driver for a race (unless you drink 1 beer like Kurt), but a more severe penalty should get the driver to confront his chief. Personally I think the drivers are aware though.
Some of the newer drivers still get involved with 'turning the wrenches' on a daily basis (Ryan Newman with an Engineering Degree from Purdue come to mind) but few of the New School have the knowledge, time or the desire to involve themselves at this level. For the most part, the drivers input with car set up comes from on track feedback. However, simply because a 'hands on driver' in NASCAR has become as rare as a 'two way' player in the NFL, doesn't mean the drivers of today don't maintain the same strong desire to gain any competitive edge. The powers that be simply have built plausible deniability into the system now. As a result, I would have to agree the drivers do have some knowledge of these attempts at obtaining a 'grey area' advantage. However, NASCAR itself appears complicit in the practice as well. If NASCAR really wanted to end the practice of 'cheating,' they could simply 'park' the cars for a race or two. Interestingly, with today's modern communication technology, Chad Knaus can remain in constant contact with his team from any location. His presence on top of the pit box isn't needed to help the team win. 'Fatback' McSwain (Ricky Rudd's Crew Chief) had such a set up (for health reasons) last year. I imagine Chad Knaus will also devise some sort of similar set up (without the publicity Fatback received). - Spydertrader
Sax, You really should go just to see the spectacle. The crowds are HUGE. Chicagoland is right there by you. TV doesn't do it justice how fken fast and loud those cars are. They're by you in an instant - almost faster than the brain can process the information the eye sends in.
I'd be surprised if the drivers aren't at least patially aware of cheating. The rear window device probably required the driver to do something to activate it, whcih certainly indicates that little weasel Johnson knew what was happening. He should have been banned from the 500, end of story. I'd draw a distinction between rules intrepretations issues, which I don;t think warrant suspension, and blatant cheating, like the 48 was caught in. If you are caught with your pants down, I think you and the car should have to miss the race. ps. Bobby Labonte isn't in the 18 anymore. J.J. Yeley will drive it. Bobby is driving the 43 this year.
Good thing it wasn't Kurts car. Jimmy Spencer would be commentating/ yelling for half the season about it!
You can bank on a championship points deduction for Johnson after Sunday's Race. NASCAR has already announced that all parties should expect additional penalties following the Daytona 500. Waiting until after the race allows NASCAR to avoid getting into the whole 'Negative Points' deal. Several sources have indicated Chad Knaus expects to receive a 4 race suspension as well. If NASCAR really wanted to end this sort of behavior on the part of race teams, they would initiate a very strict, but easy to implement, policy of enforcement. Fail to pass pre-qualifying inspection, and NASCAR 'parks' the team for that race. Fail to pass post-race inspection, and the team forfeits all prize money and points earned. The number of teams dabbling in the rule's 'grey areas' would evaporate overnight. - Spydertrader
I loved it when Spencer punched that crybaby in the mouth. The incident reminded me of the 1979 Daytona 500 where Cale Yarborough and The Allison Brothers slugged it out in the infield after a last lap crash. <img src=http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=982587> - Spydertrader
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