TV Times – Does NASCAR Treat The “Little Guy” Differently?

Columnist Ernie Saxton, in his MY TWO CENTS WORTH Column in Area Auto Racing News (Tuesday, June 9, 2009) talked about suspended NASCAR driver/crewman Carl Long and the circumstances surrounding his problems with NASCAR. As usual it’s a controversy that has polarized those who think that NASCAR made a big deal out a slight infraction, which was 0.17 oversize cubic inches. Depending who you talk to about it, you get a different opinion. In this case NASCAR is the only one that counts and Long got a 12-week suspension along with a 200 grand fine plus the loss of 200 points.

Many feel that both are over reactions on the part of NASCAR and cite the history of where high profile drivers and teams/drivers were let off with a “slap on the wrist”. Last week Long’s appeal got him a reduction of the suspension to 8 weeks. However, the fine remains at 200 g’s. We also saw a long list of contributors who are trying to help Long pay the fine. Obviously, the group that has dug deep feels that Long didn’t get a fair shake.

“It seems like the little guy gets treated differently when it comes to what NASCAR officials consider cheating. The big names, even those who admit to cheating, don’t get suspensions and fines that are that significant, ” wrote Saxton. He went on,” Some are even given probation. As I have pointed out in the past some rule breakers even get probation even when they are on probation. Perhaps it has something to do with who you are rather than treating everyone the same.” After digesting the rest of what Saxton wrote, we think that the only consistent factor here is that NASCAR has been inconsistent over the long haul. That’s not to say that they are trying to get on the right track now. Although in the past few years we have seen a major crackdown on those trying to get an advantage. It will be interesting to see what NASCAR does in the future and it’s incumbent on them to be consistent. And there are those that will be watching with a critical eye.

We have also been watching the Jeremy Mayfield episode with great interest. When this story hit the ground Mayfield was suspended for taking an unauthorized substance. Then he contested it and sued NASCAR for reinstatement. A bit later NASCAR filed a counter suit moving all this into federal court and stated that Mayfield failed to notify them (NASCAR) that he was taking a prescription medication. Then AutoRacingSport.com, last week, reported that Mayfield’s medical witness, Dr. Harvey MacFenerstein, is not really an expert at all. NASCAR claims that his medical credentials are non-existent. So it appears that the ante has been raised and things don’t look very good for Mayfield at this point in time. Then it got even worse when AutoRacingSport had a piece telling that Mayfield is being sued by a parts supplier for non-payment of his bill of 80 grand and some change. According to AutoRacingSport.com, suspended NASCAR driver/owner Jeremy Mayfield’s next race won’t be at least until the July 4 event at Daytona International Speedway as U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen has set a hearing for July 1 for Mayfield’s preliminary injunction request to keep NASCAR from enforcing its indefinite suspension against him. In the meantime the lawyers on both sides are racking up a lot of hours at high rates of pay to defend their clients. It appears that only the lawyers get rich in a high profile lawsuit. After the NASCAR retort on MacFenerstein, Mayfield’s witness is trying to get off the defensive and establish credibility. So now the off-track legal manuvering and the potential courtroom saga goes on.

On a postive note regarding NASCAR, the majority of those who watch NASCAR races seem to think that the end of single file restarts and now the double file restarts will do a lot for the quality of the events. But, will it be enough to encourage the viewers that bailed on the TV scene to come back?

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has said only reform of the FIA will stop manufacturers forming a breakaway series. Ferrari was included on the entry list for the 2010 Formula One championship, published Friday, but the BBC reports that di Montezemolo said, “Either we race in an F1 with the characteristics we want to maintain or there will be an alternative.

“We want stability, clear rules, a clear and transparent system of governance and the possibility to let teams work to cut costs like they’ve already shown.” “I really hope we manage to find a solution. I’m sure there are responsible people inside the FIA who understand the situation.” This came from SportsBusinessInternational.com.

In the Boston Herald last week we saw a report that the F1 teams (FOTA) plan a breakaway series for the 2010 F1 season because there’s a big problem with trying to cap a $60 million budget cut which the FIA is trying to keep from “a financial arms race.” FOTA is refusing to agree to the conditions. The dissident teams include Brawan GP, Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, Toyota, BMW Sauber, Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso. All that comprises some 16 entries.

Then we saw this item from SportsBusinessInternational. The Formula One Teams’ Association has announced that it is setting up a breakaway championship. The announcement was made after a four-hour meeting at Renault’s Enstone factory featuring the eight FOTA members – Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, BMW Sauber, Toyota, Brawn, Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso. In a press release, the teams explained their decision. “The FIA and the commercial rights holder have campaigned to divide FOTA. “The wishes of the majority of the teams are ignored. Furthermore, tens of millions of dollars have been withheld from many teams by the commercial rights holder, going back as far as 2006. Despite this and the uncompromising environment, FOTA has genuinely sought compromise.

“It has become clear however, that the teams cannot continue to compromise on the fundamental values of the sport and have declined to alter their original conditional entries to the 2010 World Championship.” They declared the new series would have, “transparent governance, one set of regulations, encourage more entrants and listen to the wishes of the fans, including offering lower prices for spectators worldwide, partners and other important stakeholders.”

Autosport.com reports that the Formula One teams had been given a deadline of last Sunday by the FIA to remove conditions they attached to their entries for next season’s series. FIA president Max Mosley had written to the teams yesterday offering them some of the concessions they wanted regarding governance of the sport. All this isn’t new to F1 we can remember when the teams and Bernie Eccelstone had a disagreement over the split in TV rights money and they threatened with starting another series. Then they all sat down and came up with a new deal that gave the teams more money. I believe it was called the Concorde Agreement at the time. So expect something similar to come out of this latest flap.

From SportsBusiness.com comes this one. Bankrupt US carmaker General Motors is launching a major cut back of its support of NASCAR. The Associated Press reports that teams and stars which have been notified that they will lose funding include JR Motorsports, Dale Earnhardt Jr, and Kevin Harvick Inc. These teams compete across several NASCAR-sanctioned race series’ including the second-tier Nationwide Series, and the Nationwide and third-tier Camping World Truck Series. AP reports that cuts are also expected in the top-tier Sprint Cup series. GM, through its Chevrolet brand, provides cash, and engines and parts support to NASCAR teams.

And here’s even more from that same news service. The British round of the 2009 World Rally Championship (WRC) will go ahead in October despite a financing row threatening the event. The Welsh Assembly announced in April that it would stop financing the Wales Rally through its £2.2 million annual sponsorship of the event. The Motor Sports Association (MSA), the governing body of British motor sport, said that it would step in to underwrite the event.

“In recent years, the MSA has exercised prudent management of its finances to create a surplus in order to protect the sport against unforeseen circumstances,” said MSA chairman Alan Gow in a statement. “Consequently, we have decided to underwrite this important and prestigious international event for the good of the sport, while continuing to pursue our extremely robust case against the Welsh Assembly Government for its breach of contract.“

“Everyone involved in Rally GB now have a very challenging period ahead to turn the event around in just four months. However, we are confident that the experience and professionalism of our people and clubs will make sure that this year’s event is a great success.”

The Welsh Assembly made its decision following a plan by world motorsport’s governing body the International Automobile Federation (FIA) to rotate the WRC between 22 countries starting from 2010, which could mean the British leg being dropped. Rally organizers still hope a revised calendar for 2010 will feature their event.

Here’s what’s happening on the tube this week through the weekend for motor head action.
Catch the IRL Indy Light race from Iowa at 4 p.m. on VS Monday followed by NASCAR Now on ESPN2 at 5 p.m. That program also airs at the same time on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Friday picks up the momentum just in time for the weekend. At noon it’s Cup Practice from NHMS in Loudon, NH followed by Nationwide Practice at 1:30 p.m. on Speed. Speed/TSN2 both air Cup Qualifying at 3 p.m. VS kicks in with IRL Qualifying from Richmond at 6 p.m. with ESPN2 offering NASCAR Now at 7 p.m.

Saturday is wall-to-wall motor head action starting at 9 a.m. with more Cup Practice from NHMS on Speed. At 10 a.m. Speed/TSN2 each air Nationwide Qualifying from that track with Speed coming back at 11:30 a.m. with Cup Final Practice from Loudon, NH. At 2 p.m. Speed returns this time with Camping World Truck Practice from Memphis. At 3 p.m. both ABC/TSN will air the Nationwide race from NHMS. At the same time Speed offers the WoO go from Dodge City, KS. At 6 p.m. it’s the Camping World Truck race from Memphis on Speed. The IRL Indy Car race from RIR airs at 8 p.m. on VS/TSN. At the same time it’s NHRA Qualifying from Norwalk, OH on ESPN2. At 10 p.m. Speed offers the AMA GN flat track motorcycle race from Springfield, IL followed by the AMA MotoX event from Lakewood, CO at 11 p.m.

Sunday will be even just as busy starting at 8 a.m. ESPN2 goes with NASCAR Now. Speed kicks in with NASCAR RaceDay from Loudon, NH at 10:30 a.m. At 11:30 a.m. TSN offers the NASCAR Canadian Series from Mosport, Ont. Speed comes back with the Grand-Am go from Mid-Ohio at 12:30 p.m. TNT kicks in with NASCAR Live from NHMS at 12:30 p.m. The Cup race from that venue airs on TNT/TSN/RDS at 2 p.m. Speed will broadcast the FIM Superbike race from Donnington, UK at 3 p.m. followed by the FIM 250 held at Assen, Holland at 5 p.m. The Duce returns with the NHRA Finals at 7 p.m. from Norwalk, OH. Speed returns with the Speed Report at 7 p.m., Victory Lane from NHMS at 8 p.m. and finally Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain at 9 p.m. (END)

NOTE: INFORMATION FOR THIS COLUMN CAME FROM VARIOUS REFERENCED SOURCES, PRESS RELEASES, NOTES AND OTHER SOURCES.