NASCAR 2008: Favoritism,not fairness

NASCAR really outdid themselves this time. I have often taken stock car racing's sanctioning body to task for their blatant favoritism, but this time they have gone too far.

During last Sunday's Talladega race,it was quite the crashfest as the races there often are. There were at least a couple of big crashes,one of them caused by Carl Edwards,who wrecked two of his Roush Fenway Racing teammates, Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth. Biffle sounded somewhat conciliatory in his post-crash interview but Kenseth was visibly angry by the look on his face but as always, managed to keep his composure. I have a feeling that bad feelings linger between Kenseth and Edwards after last year's post-race incident at Martinsville when Edwards physically confronted his teammate as Kenseth was starting a post-race interview. Edwards apologized and took responsibility for the accident at Talladega. I just hope that in the future,Edwards thinks before making another costly move.

REGAN SMITH-THE REAL RACE WINNER

Regan Smith was the clear winner of the Talladega race. Smith was attempting to pass Tony Stewart on the final lap for the win. Smith was across the finish line first but then Stewart proceeded to block Smith and almost wrecked him. Even more outrageously,NASCAR declared Stewart the winner. That made a mockery of the whole race. NASCAR has proven again that they have their chosen favorites. Then another unkind cut by NASCAR. They gave Smith an 18th place finish when he should have at the very least been given second place. NASCAR sounded off a bunch of hogwash that Smith had violated the rules by racing below the yellow line. NASCAR must suffer from amnesia,or more likely,hypocrisy. Johnny Benson won a Truck series race in 2007 from below the yellow line. NASCAR themselves have stated that if a driver is below the yellow line on the final lap and can see the checkered flag,that driver is allowed to compete for the win,so according to that interpretation,Smith clearly won the race. NASCAR conveniently manipulates and ignores their own rules to benefit their chosen favorites,of which Tony Stewart is definitely one.

Another thing to consider,Home Depot and Coca Cola,two of Stewart's sponsors,give NASCAR lots of money. NASCAR will do anything to keep their big-money sponsors happy,even manipulate or throw races. Also,PR probably played a big part in NASCAR's decision to give Stewart the win. Look at the headline,"Stewart Finally Wins At Talladega". It makes good press. Also,in Stewart's last season with Joe Gibbs Racing before venturing out on his own,even more icing on the cake. I am in mourning for a once-great sport that has been taken over by greed and favoritism since Brian France took over as Chairman and CEO. If "Big Bill" France and Bill France Jr were still alive,they would probably box Brian's ears. Apparently,only drivers named Tony Stewart,Jeff Gordon,Dale Earnhardt Jr,and Jimmie Johnson are allowed to win races in today's NASCAR. I am not the only person who feels this way. Judging by the letters in this week's NASCAR Scene and most message board posts I've read,many rightly disgruntled and disillusioned fans are ready to throw in the towel. I think this is the last straw for many NASCAR fans,including myself. I'm not sure if I want to give NASCAR another chance. Like the saying goes,fool me once shame on you,fool me twice shame on me. I will not be fooled again by those who run today's NASCAR.

UPDATE: It appears Dale Earnhardt Jr agrees with me. Earnhardt Jr said that Regan Smith won the race at Talladega. Smith drives for Dale Earnhardt Incorporated,founded by Earnhardt Jr's father. This is a bold move for Junior,considering he is buddies with Tony Stewart,who was declared the race winner by NASCAR. Way to go,Junior,for recognizing the real race winner and doing the right thing.