NASCAR got points swap wrong: Reutimann out on a limb
Friday, March 28th, 2008 3:31pm UTC
By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Published on Thunder Lounge.
The sky is falling. NASCAR hates Toyota. Whatever you want to build into a conspiracy. I won’t, but feel free to have at it.
It’s now official, the bullshit flag now raised. The following decision by NASCAR stinks to high heaven.
NASCAR has denied the request of Michael Waltrip Racing to switch Owners Points from the #00 Dream Machine to the #44 UPS Toyota Camry.
Why would MWR want to do that anyway? If you don’t know by now, David Reutimann has taken over the wheel of the #44 effective at the conclusion of Bristol two weeks ago. He replaces Dale Jarrett, who now enters “retirement” and moves into the broadcast booth for ESPN. DJ will run the All-Star race in May as his final event.
This being the case, David Reutimann had earned a 27th spot thus far in the 2008 Owners Points, while Dale Jarrett was 34th. With rookie Michael McDowell taking over the #00, Michael Waltrip Racing wanted to allow David to keep what he had earned for Owners Points thus far this season, giving the rookie McDowell the left overs.
Honestly, that makes more sense then being handed points on a silver platter. I shall now cough while saying a name who has manipulated the Owners Points recently.
David Reutimann earned his points for the Owners Standings, and allowing him to keep them would be the right thing to do. However, NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series Director, John Darby, says that, “point swaps typically are granted only when there is a change in a business function or when an owner is trying to reorganize during the offseason.”
Or if you want to manipulate the system to get a driver into the points to make a race, should be added to that statement.
So you can take points from your top car and give it to the new guy, but you can’t allow for a driver who earned his way to keep them when a number change is initiated within the organization.
The one time where a point swap within the same organization makes sense, and isn’t abusing the system, and NASCAR gets it wrong.
It wouldn’t matter who it is. Under these circumstances a points swap is not only logical, but honorable. However, it seems that honor isn’t something on NASCAR’s mind with this decision.
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Filed Under: David Reutimann, Drivers, Martinsville, Michael Waltrip Racing #00, Michael Waltrip Racing #44, Nascar, Sprint Cup, Teams, Tracks
Tagged As: David Reutimann, Michael McDowell, Michael Waltrip Racing, MWR, Top-35, UPS
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So this also means that the rumored swap of Kenseth and McMurray will be disallowed – if requested – as well. Hmm. I wonder if Jack will be able to blame this on MWR too?
That would appear to be the case.
As well as if the 43/45 wanted to swap at Petty.
Those are circumventing though, where this Reutimann deal is not. Totally different ballgame.
NASCAR got this one right…as long as they stay consistent and do not allow another Penske points’ flop!
Dennis/RaceTalkRadio.com