NASCAR Violates American Civil Rights
Friday, July 6th, 2007 12:51pm CDT
By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Published on Thunder Lounge.
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Another week, and another one busier than a one-armed wallpaper hangar.
First up, it was mentioned in droves by the “media” that NASCAR’s method of suspension (pulling credentials of those suspended) was “not enough” in terms of actually suspending a member. This is because credentials get you in the garage and the pits, nothing more. It’s all NASCAR has to work with.
After the cries by the “media”, Brian France said they were going to look at it. France, Mike Helton, Jim Hunter, and company took a look at it over the week and [Jim] Hunter announced yesterday at Daytona that individuals suspended from NASCAR were now banned from the track property during their suspension.
While it might not be agreeable that it isn’t exactly in the spirit of competition that suspended individuals can access other locations during an event weekend, that isn’t really the issue here.
The issue is that without credentials, the suspended person is now no different than the common fan, and one that has not violated any law of the United States of America.
Now that NASCAR has said they are now banned from the track while suspended, is this not a violation of personal freedom? A violation of all that America stands for? I see it as such, but apparently the “new media crowd” that NASCAR has been trying to attract doesn’t see it that way.
If it were one of these Journalists that lost their “credentials”, would they still not be at the track? Would they not be infuriated if they were told not to show up? Told they had been banned from the track? All hell would break loose. Yet, as long as it is someone else they don’t care.
I’m not going to debate whether having the suspended person in the motor home lot, the infield, or the grandstands has an impact or not. I’m not going to debate whether it’s right, or in the spirit of the suspension.
What matters here is that the Communist Party of NASCAR has violated the very freedoms that we are allowed under the Constitution and laws of The United States of America.
To put this in perspective, what if someone suspended still wanted to watch the race like anyone else, but had absolutely no contact with any team while on track property. They were acting in no other capacity than any other fan? They can’t.
Not saying that is what is going on, but it’s the principle of the issue that is at hand here. What’s to stop someone from being in a hotel close to the track? Close enough they can pick up radio signals? Nothing. Chad was in a hotel at Daytona in ‘06, and it wasn’t any different than if he had been at the track in the motor home lot or the infield. Well, other than team meetings and such were in a different location.
The only thing this change “solves” is the impression that NASCAR is doing something. It won’t change the outcome or the fact that the suspended person can still play an important part. This move is has nothing more than to promote NASCAR’s media image in mind, and one that solves absolutely nothing.
What’s next Fuhrer France? Put a ban on individuals anywhere within 100 miles of a track? Make them check in at the NASCAR Offices 3 times a day during event weekends? I got it… Why not lock them up in a cell over event weekends? How’s that, huh? No crime committed, but certainly being treated like a felon.
This certainly is not the American Way, but is this the new “NASCAR Way”?
Filed Under: Damn Good Points, Nascar, Nextel Cup, The Soapbox
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