Stewart Has A Bear Of A Time At Atlanta
Tuesday, October 31st, 2006 9:43am CST
By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Published on Thunder Lounge.
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[thumb:188:r:s=1:l=x]If you missed the race at Atlanta Sunday, by now you’ve most likely heard the end results. On top of that you have also most likely heard some of the controversies coming out of it. Will the madness ever end? Will Stewart ever slip and fall off the fence? Is anybody getting queasy from the ups and downs of the Chase roller coaster?
While Stewie had a “bear” of a time, and got a bear of a trophy to boot, once again we find a victory being overshadowed by controversy.
Initially it was the cry of foul for a debris caution that was thrown on lap 87. “Where’s the debris” cries could be heard throughout the land (it was a water bottle), unless of course you’re in the Junior Nation. NASCAR was, and still is a bit, being called out for throwing a caution to help Junior get back into pit sequence with other lead lap cars. Ridiculous, and utter nonsense. NASCAR has more to worry about than where Junior is on his pit sequence. What the so-called critics are proposing is like driving a Yugo at ludicrous speed. Do you honestly think NASCAR is willing to watch its entire platform and existence crumble over the call to throw a caution to aid a single competitor like this? Give it up, and find another bandwagon.
While most days this would be the big deal, it’s not this time.
With 35 laps to go, again the debris caution rears its head. There was a black piece of something out there, so they hang out the yellow laundry again. Upon closer examination, it just so happens to be a piece of roll bar padding. Hmm, you say. I wonder where it came from?
The caution was a detriment to Jeff Burton, who had to stop a little early as compared to his other lead lap counterparts, and his dash for making it back onto the lead lap and catching up as the other leaders pitted under green was crushed as he ended up finishing 13th. It could have been worse, but considering his Chase Compadres were mostly on the lead lap, it gave him a kick in the gut. As a note, Robby Gordon got the pass and ended up finishing 10th.
NASCAR did a check after the race as cars were being loaded, and found nothing conclusive.
Doing a little digging, and an extensive review of footage, NBC found the shot where the debris appeared. What they found was quite interesting. In a slow motion replay, you could see a clean track. Then as the 7 car of one mister Robby Gordon passes… Voila. There is now debris on the track. From the footage, it really looks like that is where it came from. If that’s the case, and RG intentionally caused the caution, NASCAR better make the payment hell. Considering that the post-race check of RG’s car found nothing interesting, there can only be one conclusion.
If the padding came from Robby’s car, then it had to be a separate piece sitting in the car that was ready for just such an occasion, and he yanked it out to intentionally cause a caution and benefit from it. What’s really jacked up about the whole deal, is that now there is nothing that can be done about it, other than a fine, points, and the usual penalties. What would the finishing order look like had this not happened? Only assumptions can be made, and NASCAR can’t readjust it based on assumptions. It is interesting though, that at a risk of not being the first car a lap down, this piece of foam just happens to appear out of thin air from the current car that was in position to get the pass. Is the sponsor situation that desperate over there at RGM? One would think not, but who knows.
Again, If RG caused the caution intentionally, it was a chicken-s**t move, by a slime ball. One who should have his finishing position dropped to 43rd, as well as a fine, and a docking of points on top of it. Then bump the field up accordingly.
However, If this is truly a pure case of coincidence, then NASCAR should make sure to make it known that RG is innocent of the accusations coming from every angle of the press.
Regardless, NASCAR needs to find where this piece of foam mysteriously appeared from. It had to have come from somewhere, and no matter where it came from if it was intentionally put onto the racing surface, the driver responsible should have hell to pay. Missing Texas or Phoenix wouldn’t be a bad start, either.
Filed Under: Nascar, Nextel Cup, The Chase
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The worst part is there are too many IFS floating around this kettle of fish.
To me the most telling evidence is RG’s reaction when cornered behind his hauler. First response was basically “Who me!” As the tape was played and clearly showed the padding wasn’t there as RG approached the area in question RG changed his tune to, “It must have come from the back of the car.”
The facial expression told another story.
Short of giving him a lie detector test they will never definitively resolve the issue.
BUT, if it is and I were boss he’s sit the final three events. In addition, if missing three events doesn’t do the job, drop his final points standing to 36th or below.
MESSAGE sent!
marc said this on October 31st, 2006 at 7:24 pm