The Spin Out Zone – NASCAR’S Probation Philosophy Gets Bumped & Quick Bumps

Hold on – here is the bump and the SPIN OUT!

What a week of ups and downs for Tony Stewart and his #20 Home Depot team. A
soap opera writer couldn’t write this type of story, but for what it’s worth, I
think all will be fine. Tony has stood up and accepted responsibility for
pushing the Indianapolis Star photographer and many children in central Indiana
will have $50,000 coming their way compliments of Tony Stewart and Home Depot.
For Tony, I am sure the nice $50,000 tax deduction will come in handy for anger
management classes.

This will not satisfy some of Tony Stewart’s critics especially those at the
Indianapolis Star. I think it’s a fair statement to say Tony Stewart was the
best thing to happen to the sports section of The Star this past week. However,
calling someone an "Indefensible Greaseball" as Bob Kravitz did of
Tony Stewart certainly proves that Tony is not at the top of Bob’s list of
favorite drivers. Whether it’s physical or verbal, in my book it’s still ABUSE.

QUICK BUMPS!

Quick Bump 1 goes to JIMMY SPENCER: Jimmy Spencer driver of the #41 Target
Dodge owned by Chip Ganassi and Felix Sabates found himself NOT making the show
at The Sirius Satellite Radio at The Glen. Chip Ganassi made a controversial
move by moving Jimmy from his regular ride in the #41 Target Dodge to a sister
car, the #42 Target Dodge which was put together specifically for this race.
Chip placed Scott Pruett, a part time so called road course expert into Jimmy’s
car, the #41. Scott qualified well, however Jimmy ran the slowest lap and since
the #42 car had not ran any other races, it had NO points and they could not use
a provisional. This sent Jimmy packing. This was the second time this season
Jimmy did not make a race.

Chip said on Sunday that the move was to give the #41 team an opportunity to
run well with Scott. OKAY, I am thinking Chip is up to something! Could you see
Roger Penske pulling Ryan Newman from the #12 for one race to benefit the team?
NO!

First let me say, Chip is a stand up guy and a winner. He hates bad press and
I think he took matters into his own hands by punishing Jimmy Spencer for his
SPIN OUT of Kurt Busch back at the Brickyard. Take a look at the tape of Chip
and Jimmy going into the NASCAR BIG RED TRAILER for their spanking. You’ll see
Chip NOT walking with Jimmy, actually he’s walking several paces behind, this is
unlike an owner supporting his driver! My opinion is Chip basically told Jimmy
if he wanted to make the race, prove himself and do it with limited resources.
Jimmy couldn’t do it and so he paid the price.

Second, I believe Jimmy has out stayed his welcome and I am sure he won’t be
driving for Chip next year. Chip wants results and Jimmy can not compare to
Chip’s other drivers. Sterling and his #40 Coors Light team sits on top of the
Winston Cup Points and the Ganassi CART Program is doing very well, both teams
are in the top 10 in the standings. Where is Jimmy Spencer in the mix? Need I
say more?

Quick Bump 2 goes to CHEVRON TEXACO/HAVOLINE: I sure hope you’re not paying
the lawyers by the hour. Get done with the Ricky Rudd issue all ready!

THE SPIN OUT!

Can anyone in the world of NASCAR explain to me what it means to be put on
NASCAR PROBATION?

When you stop and think about probation it makes sense in everyday life for
you and I, but does it work in NASCAR? I know if NASCAR put me on probation, I
would make sure that I was on my best behavior. We all saw what happened to
Kevin Harvick when he pushed the envelope while he was on probation – he sat out
a race.

I’m looking at the "probation philosophy" from a different angle
and by doing so I am realizing how UNFAIR it is for NASCAR to put a driver or a
crew chief on probation. Let’s look at Tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick because
they currently hold the title of NASCAR DRIVER ON PROBATION.

Both drivers are very emotional and both were put on probation for "off
track" incidents. Tony for pushing a photographer and Kevin for pointing
his finger in the face of Greg Biffle. In most cases, I enjoy heated
conversations between drivers because it shows me the passion they have for what
they do. But now, if Tony or Kevin were to get DUMPED by a competitor during the
up coming Bristol race, these overly emotional drivers are forced to keep their
mouths shut or probation will bite them in the rear! That’s not fair especially
if they happen to be the victim.

FANS love the drama and probation does not promote drama. If I were running
NASCAR, I would take probation out of the book of penalties. I would also look
at each individual situation and make a determination of a penalty based on the
facts. Once I made my determination, that would be it, it would end there.
However, instead of fining a driver a few thousand dollars I would take away
POINTS every time, I would look at stripping away track testing opportunities
from a team and if the driver keeps going down the wrong road, sit him down!
Basically I would call it the "P&P Philosophy." Drivers would
loose points and privileges.

NASCAR says they work very hard on keeping the field level for all teams. So
if this is the case, LOOSE probation! It changes the way a driver races. It also
changes their style and their determination. The FANS loose and the sport will
ultimately suffer. It also gives their competitors the advantage because they
know the driver on probation is a little weaker in ability.

Try to relate last year’s situation between Robby Gordon and Jeff Gordon to
what I am saying. Let’s say last year Jeff Gordon was on probation for punching
Rusty Wallace. (Just go with me!) Imagine Robby BUMPS Jeff out of the lead (like
he did) and Jeff bumps Robby under caution (like he did), but because Jeff was
on PROBATION, NASCAR sits Jeff down for the next race basically ending his
championship hunt. How will that fly? Not well in the eyes of many!
Realistically, that scenario could happen this year with Tony Stewart. He is 104
points behind Sterling and one slip up, one bump, one finger point, even if it
is well deserved could end his chances.

This weeks SPIN OUT goes to – NASCAR PROBATION!

NASCAR PROBATION is totally different from SPONSORSHIP PROBATION! OUCH, that
one hurts and Home Depot may have just set a new trend – Home Depot Probation
and next time Target Probation and Sharpie/Rubbermaid Probation: Where is the
love?

Until next week, happy bumping!