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Sports mailbag: Readers question NASCAR's integrity


Wednesday, September 11, 2013


Clint Bowyer’s intentional spin, leading to the final race-changing caution flag at Richmond, was blatant cheating. Unlike stretching the rule book to gain a mechanical advantage in a race, Bowyer’s action was a clear and unmistakable attempt to influence the championship in NASCAR’s premier series.

This is arguably NASCAR’s equivalent of the “Black Sox Scandal,” in which the Chicago White Sox intentionally lost the 1919 World Series to the Cincinnati Reds. NASCAR must address and remedy this dishonorable conduct by Michael Waltrip Racing. The punishments should fit the magnitude of this offense and must be painful. If NASCAR does not act swiftly and decisively, the 2013 Chase for the Cup will be tainted and the reputation of the sport forever sullied.

Both MWR drivers should be removed from the Chase [so far only one has]. Bowyer should be removed because his action makes him unworthy of becoming a champion. MWR should be fined and barred from Sprint Cup Chase contention for a period of two years.

Bowyer’s spot in the Chase field should be given to Gordon. In all likelihood Gordon would have secured spots had it not been for Bowyer’s actions. This will clearly accrue to the benefit of some sponsors over others and one manufacturer over another. Yet, it is precisely the corrective action needed.

Sponsors and auto manufacturers provide the financial lifeblood of NASCAR. The goodwill and economic benefit they derive from their participation in motor racing is a direct result of the sport’s public exposure. However, hi-profile exposure is a double-edged sword in which sponsors can ill-afford being associated with disreputable behavior reflecting on their sportsmanship or performance.

NASCAR has before it an opportunity. It can set a standard in which integrity and fairness prevails at the short-term expense of a few sponsors. Such bold action will encourage sponsors to insist upon integrity and ethical behavior by the teams they fund.

Or, NASCAR can choose to adhere to a go-along, get-along policy that will forever cast doubt upon the integrity of the sport.

Rick O’Dell
Roanoke

Throwing NASCAR into the turnbuckle

Is NASCAR the new pro wrestling? Are the races fixed?

When Clint Bowyer purposely spun out in the Richmond race, it was to make sure Martin Truex Jr. would get into the Chase for the Cup and Ryan Newman or Jeff Gordon would not. Bowyer was told by his crew chief and spotter to ‘scratch his arm’ which obviously was a keyword for him to spin out and bring out the caution.

How many other keywords are used to tell drivers to do something so a late race caution will improve another driver’s chance of winning? I suspect this is commonplace. How come a past champion like Bobby Labonte has suddenly forgot how to drive good enough to win a race?

Why is Jimmy Johnson always in contention, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon are not even though they are out of the same racing stable?

Why does Kyle Busch and Toyota win most of the truck and Nationwide races unless Toyota has been given an unfair advantage over Chevy and Ford?

Why is Carl Edwards allowed to jump a restart without penalty, but other drivers are immediately slapped down for doing the same thing?

Very suspicious. I truly believe NASCAR is fixed.

Tom Lawrence
Christiansburg

Please send letters to:

sports@roanoke.com

Letters should include signature, full address and, for verification only, phone number. All letters are edited. Letters of 200 words or less are given preference.

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