NASCAR unleashes on Stewart
I barely get the previous post done and NASCAR kicks Stewart back hard in the shins:
From AP:
NASCAR called Stewart's comments "very, very disappointing.""NASCAR has been running races since 1948, and we place the safety of the drivers at the top of the list," said spokesman Jim Hunter. "We have more people and more resources than ever officiating our races. The safety of the drivers is our first priority. It has always been that way and will continue to be that way.
"There are thousands of talented race drivers out there who would consider it an honor to compete in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series."
Although NASCAR has a policy that prohibits obscene language and gestures on television, the sanctioning body has no rule against criticizing its officiating. The NBA and NFL both fine its participants for criticizing the referees.
Hunter said NASCAR had no plans to punish Stewart for his remarks about officiating, which is done from a tower above the race track by a team of eight that includes NASCAR president Mike Helton and competition director Robin Pemberton.
Let's face it: If there's caution out for debris on the track, the TV cameras ought to be able to pick it up. The cameras that Fox and ESPN bring to the track can focus on the hotdog wrapper jammed deep in the nose of the Dodges. The least they can do is figure out what's on the track is a piece of somebody's suspension, a chunk of Robby Gordon's roll-cage padding or the beer bottle that Dale Senior Fan was holding on to just in case Jeff Gordon won No. 77.
My guess is that you'll see some caution flags fly Sunday that cause Stewart to finish, oh, about 50th. Call it a hunch.
Comments (2)
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Yes you would think...
With all the cameras they should catch any debris, however.
From my vantage point viewing from a foreign country I have the pleasure of not seeing the TV ads. You see a Breck Girl ad or some such nonsense, I get switched to one of the in car cameras for the duration.
There are many times as the selected in car passes the site of the debris it is in fact visible.
But it's never shown in replay after the commercial break or mentioned by the booth bobbleheads.
Why? I can only hazard a guess, but you will note sometimes, not every time, just after an ad break the return to live action is accompanied by a promo for another show, one of those quick "what the driver said" deals etc... etc while the last lap or so of caution is played out before the green.
Take it for what's it's worth.
Posted on April 26, 2007 7:38 PM
Sometimes the truth hurts. It's about time someone spoke up about it!
Posted on April 29, 2007 10:14 PM