I am expressing an opinion concerning the Robby Gordon bumper fiasco and other issues currently annoying me.
NASCAR has been accused many times of inconsistency and attempting to tailor the outcome of races. In fact, one of NASCAR's premier drivers stated on TV that NASCAR was quickly becoming a professional wrestling type spectator sport with outcomes manipulated by the NASCAR leadership and perceived favoritism "lucky breaks" toward certain drivers. What followed was a tornado of activity at the next race. NASCAR officials prevented that driver from unloading his car from the hauler and demanded he proceed to the officials' trailer for counseling. The driver quickly recanted his statements under the threat of "You" the driver need NASCAR more then NASCAR needs you. My thought is "How many times at the track, I saw debris cautions and
the safety truck never stopped and just circled the track." Overall, the drivers' statement did have a positive effect because the TV cameras zoom in on debris and there doesn't seem to be as many.
NASCAR recently stated they want to return to their roots and start being consistent in response to the fans request. They want emotion back into the sport. They want drivers to be drivers again. NASCAR stated, "We are going to be consistent in awarding punishment with the COT." Fast forward to Robby Gordon's situation. How can that circumstance and the punishment issued by NASCAR be consistent with
previous incidents of blatant cheating in the COT during a race such as Waltrip's Daytona incident, Hendrick’s monkeying with panels, etc. There seems to be no consistency. Information has been released that Robby's bumper cover fit the NASCAR template. It is the same part number. NASCAR officials inadvertently stated that there is no competitive advantage and the only difference is a crease and sticker placement.
This mistake was identified before any racing took place. There is clearly no similarities between incidents. The other incidents were cheating or pushing the window to gain a competitive edge with a demonstrated intent of deception or cheating. Robby's incident has no intent of deception, has no competitive advantage, and was clearly a
shipping error that was identified before any racing took place. NASCAR leadership is once again not thinking.
I am not going to say Robby Gordon is without guilt. In fact, I believe Robbie's past history with NASCAR has a lot to do with this punishment. NASCAR is clearly saying you can not beat us, you must not fight us, you can not live without us. I would like to point to Robby's meltdown in Canada. From my perspective, NASCAR was dead wrong in that decision and clearly did not want Robby to win after he was spun out under the yellow caution, which was shown much to NASCAR's distress, on TV for all the fans to see. They were inconsistent in that decision by putting him in 13th place when in other instances the field was frozen and drivers could return to where they were under the previous scoring loop. I ponder if one of the chosen ones would have been sent back?
Perception becomes the truth even when it is not. Our own Politics are a clear example of this. The perception was NASCAR wanted an Aussie to win the inaugural Canada track race at Robby's expense. Robby responded in a clear cut Robby Gordon emotional "angry" meltdown which resulted in a black flag and dual burnouts. I admit Robby becomes his own worst enemy in this situation but what recourse did he have? None.
I would like to relate to the NASCAR higher powers that many individuals of the NASCAR nation are fed up with the ways things are being run. I realize this is a customer oriented sport and you can not please everyone. It appears that NASCAR is trying to align a new generation of spectators and get away from the perceived Redneck, Confederate Flag image portrayed for years at tracks in the South. They want diversity. They want cross cultural and cross generational fans.
NASCAR, I am a fan. I am college educated. I am a professional. I spend a great deal of my vacation on races. In fact, I attend
5-8 races a year. I have two children
who are becoming avid fans if they
continue to attend with me. However, my
interest is waning very quickly and so will
my children's' because of me.
Back to Robby, the perception in this
instance is NASCAR bullying the last
independent, "the little guy trying to make
it on his own. The little guy trying to keep
a race team alive with limited resources"
Relay to the powers that be, "It would be
in the best interest of NASCAR to reverse
the decision. In fact, let the fans know
they had something to do with it. Let the
fans know that NASCAR wants their input and suggestion. NASCAR is a business.
The object of a business is to make a profit and ISC tracks have obligations to
ISC stockholders. I understand this and although I do not agree with many of your
business decision I accept them.
However, from my perspective NASCAR has forgotten the first rule of business; Customer satisfaction.
There are many of us who are not satisfied with your decisions and actions. Overturn Robby Gordon's unjust discriminatory penalty.
Respectfully,
Paul Faneuf AKA Navy Paul
Gotta comment, question or want to say hey there...email Paul here
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