People have complained about NASCAR for the past few years. The drivers are too vanilla, saying only what they want their sponsors to hear and never uttering a discouraging word; NASCAR drivers and teams care more about their sponsor then the fans.
In the last year, there also began to be complaints about how boring the racing was getting. So in the off season NASCAR told the drivers to ‘have at it’.
Along comes one Carl Edwards last week in Atlanta. He decides to punt young Brad Keselowski. No doubt the intention was not to send Keselowski flying into the air, but that was the unfortunate end result.
Tuesday NASCAR handed down a slap on the wrist for Edwards, owing to their ‘have at it’ policy and said they were more concerned about why the cars keep deciding to take flight then they were with personal grudge matches. It wasn’t long though before some of the same fans who had complained about the ‘boring’ racing were whining about NASCAR’s ‘punishment’ or lack thereof of Carl Edwards. The solutions brought up ranged from the gallows, to a lifetime ban, to a few lashes with a wet noodle.
Several days later amid reports that hoards of riotous townsfolk were storming the Edwards household in Missouri not unlike Transylvanians storming Doctor Frankenstein’s castle, (of course I’m making that up), Edward’s primary sponsor for the Atlanta race, Scott’s Lawn products, issued a terse statement, which I’m not making up.
“Scotts appreciates the support of NASCAR fans everywhere, and we have an excellent relationship with Carl Edwards, Jack Roush and the No. 99 Roush Fenway Racing team,” the statement on the Scotts Web site said. “However, like many fans, we were very concerned about the on-track incident that occurred in Atlanta this past weekend.
“As a result, we have strongly expressed these concerns to both Carl and [team owner] Jack [Roush], and we are confident that they have a clear understanding of the trust we have placed in them as ambassadors of our company, our associates and our brands. In addition, as a sponsor, we want to make sure those drivers, race teams and NASCAR focus on keeping these types of incidents and misjudgments from happening.”
Here’s my own message to Scott’s; Welcome to the world of big time stock car auto racing. This is a sport driven, both literally and figuratively, by real people with real emotions. Not ‘ambassadors’ more adept at clam negotiation. They are race car drivers, and race cars crash, drivers hit each other on and off the track and sometimes people even get hurt. There is no script, there is no determined outcome. Like any pro sport the game isn’t decided until time expires or in the case of NASCAR when the checkered flag falls. What happens during a race isn’t something that can be controlled.
The statement to me, was reminiscent of 2002 when Tony Stewart was actually fined by his sponsor at the time for knocking a camera out of a photographer’s hand. Stewart of course later bought the photographer a shiny new camera and apologized. But that didn’t matter and the sponsor along with NASCAR fined Stewart. This to me really began the era of ‘be nice boys’. An era filled with drivers who rarely spoke ill of anyone and the time when fans began to moan that drivers had become like robots. In fact it was during this era that Nextel filmed a commercial showing Matt Kenseth as a robot; which sad to say wasn’t far from the truth for most drivers at the time.
And now we have another sponsor, while not issuing any fines, publically admonishing their driver for nothing more than letting his emotions show. The issuance of that press release was followed by another from Edwards’ primary sponsor for most races, Aflac.
“Aflac supports and values the relationship we have with Carl Edwards and the No. 99 Aflac Roush Fenway Racing team,” the Aflac statement said. “While we don’t discuss the specific details of our partnerships, we trust that the on-track incident will remain just that and was handled appropriately by NASCAR.”
In essence what Aflac was saying was pretty mild and certainly didn’t stoop to the level of Scotts with a public scolding.
But here’s the bigger point; What Edwards did on the track last Sunday is something the sport needs; certainly not the outcome of a car in the air, but taking someone to task. For those of us who have followed the sport for nearly three decades it harkened back to the days of old when drivers weren’t afraid to do their talking on or off the track.
By not punishing Edwards more severely, NASCAR is in essence trying to recapture a little bit of those days of old and those elements that helped take the ‘boring’ out of NASCAR. They were very correct in saying that they are more concerned with what caused the car to lift up then they are about two drivers with a grudge.
If sponsors continue to issue press releases publically calling their drivers on the carpet every time they have a little tiff on the track, then the new era of ‘have it at boys’ is doomed to failure before it even has a chance to get going. We might as well break out the robots and sew some mouths shut. If a sponsor has a problem with a driver, they should do one of two things; talk to them in private or take your checkbook and spend it on sponsoring a badminton team or better yet a ballet.
And for those fans calling for the head of Edwards, put away your pitchforks and move away from the castle; you wanted exciting racing, you got it, now sit back and enjoy it.
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Comments
A sponsor isn't supposed to "publicly berate" a driver? A sponsor that pays upwards of 20gs?
Sorry, Engle, you're far off the mark on that point.
Not to mention the sport "needing" drivers reappearing on-track 150 laps down - another point you missed - to perform a bit of head hunting.
You're right NASCAR asked for it and they, and the many whining fans got exactly what was asked for but in this instance Edwards went too far.
P.O.'d drivers have been wrecking people on purpose since the inception of the sport--case in point, St. Dale Earnhardt Sr. who got away with it more times than I could count--specifically, Bristol 1995 when he wrecked practically the whole field and Nascar did absolutely nothing. So people need to stop whining about Carl dishing out a well-deserved dose of "get even!" Nascar said "Have at it, boys," and now they need to eat their own words! I support Driver 99!
WOW! A sponsor shouldn't call down a driver they are paying millions for their name on the side of his car as well as his personal services contract probably worth another million? I sure could use some of what you are smoking. Tell ya what, turn around and trip one of your coworkers and have them ruin a couple of computers as they are falling, then when your boss calls you down for what you just did, tell him/her that they have no right to check your outrageous actions. Then ask them if they validate as they walk your butt out the door now jobless. You just never seem to get it locked in your head that it is the fans and the sponsors that make this sport, pay for this sport, and give you the opportunity to put these whacked out statements in print.
So let me get this straight....the "have at it boys" message extends to sponsors too? Hmmm...I bet Stewart has the same mindset Harvick does..wonder if Tony sent Home Depot a certified letter requesting his "fine money" back...with interest!
Carl's #99 stereo, blasting through his Craco speakers, "One way, or another, I'm gonna find ya....I'm gonna getcha getcha getcha getcha...one way or another..." - Blondie
Brad's #12 stereo, "...and it's time for me to fly..." - REO Speedwagon
I love it! Gloves off racing. I"m thinkin if NASCAR is gonna continue to race/wreck at high speeds they need to put MORE wings on the car...that way they can at least have a safe landing.
Great. E-mail Scotts and tell them you won't buy their product if they sponsor the "thug." I did and I will back it up with sending my proofs of purchase from a competing product to Scotts. I did get an answer to my e-mail which was the same as the general press release. You all know the old saying about "Money talks...etc...
Yeah lets let the sponsers decide what the drivers say and do that would make NASCAR fun...oh wait thats whats happening now making the sport bland boring and vanilla with no personality.The entire sport has become so "PC" its sad. Carl is also in the hunt to be in the "Chase" and every point matters so going out 150 laps down while sounding silly to many could mean the difference between 12th and 13th when the Chase starts. Carl spun BK out no more than that. The car going airborn is NASCARS fault they didt test the crappy COT enough and when other cars went airborn they did NOT do anything to stop it from happening again in the future so lets get real people Carl did what many others have done in racing and thats all. The real concern for all those allegedly worried about BK's safety should have been WHY DID THE CAR FLIP no matter what started the process the cars were supposed to be SAFER remember? and before anyone comments I am NOT a Carl Edwards fan
The money is beside the point. What Carl does on the track doesn't effect how good your grass grows. It doesn't change the product the company is trying to sell. If Scott's is willing to stand next to Carl in victory lane and get all the publicity that comes with it, then they should also stand beside him when he gets bad press. The kid had it coming, it just happened to be Carl to finally do it. Now, if the rest of the drivers that owe him one will be man enough to do it too, maybe "Punkalowski" will get the message.
NASCAR just took the teeth out of their drug testing program.
Race cars going airborne and threatening to go into the bleachers is why they have a drug testing program. Then a driver gets off with a slight wrist slap for doing something that another driver/crewman might possibly do while under the influence of drugs?? That driver/crewman gets a lifetime suspension for his actions.
What a joke.
Yes all you Edwards lovers are quick to forget Cousin Carl threatening Matt Kenseth with physical violence.
This idiot cannot control his temper.
At least Scott's can see that and chooses not to be responsible for Carl's foolish actions.
C'mon, Folks:
Of all those decrying the #99's retribution need to remember when they lost thier temper over repeated iniquities! Are any of you perfect? Didn't think so.
Racing is a dangerous sport and those that compete in it know that.The personality types of true racers are on the agressive side-live with it. There will be give and take and also sometimes more take than give and you all saw the results of that.
Let's keep the racing real and get rid of the "wing". That will help keep the car on the ground. It is a fact; the profile of almost any car is somewhat similar to the profile of the wing on on an an airplane. Given enough power, even a brick can be made to fly.
Keep the sport and the personalities genuine and let the sponsors settle thier issues in private.
'Nuff said!
I am still angry at Edwards for his deliberate actions on the track. Thanks for the article Greg, now I have respect for Scott's.
There should be a sign put up at the gate of all Nascar races... NO whiners. The corperiate world should stay the H@ll out of the dealings with the drivers. The way its going now .. it isn't Nascar, its whatever the companys names is that the driver of the car they sponsor just happen to put the other car out of the ball park. It like lil Johnny going to mommie and saying Tommy pushed him down and made him skin his knee.I pesonally have no problem going channel surfing after the start of a race and maybe I will go back and check on it and maybe I will just watch paint dry. This poor me crap is getting way out of hand ... If ya cant take the heat ... well if i type what i would like to , they won't print it. Its racing yall .. it gets physical, if you don't like physical .. try curling. thats my 2 cents
I'm tired of all this discussion about drivers wrecking
each other by accident or on purpose. Racing is dangerous and people can get hurt regardless of what caused the wreck. The drivers know this when they signed on. We need to discuss really important stuff. Like Danica finishing 15th out of 24 cars in the Indy car race yesterday. I guess she is back in her "comfort zone"!! Just so you comprehend what 15th is out of 24 cars, it's equivalent to her finishing 27th out of 43 cars. A really strong performance in the kind of car she is supposed to be good at. Can't wait for her to get to a full time NASCAR schedule so she can save our sport.
So Scotts is not allowed to hold one of their contracted employees to the same standard other contracted employees are held to?
How are you related to the France family?
I will not buy Scotts if they quit Edwards!!!!!!!!!!
I am proud of what Carl did,Brad had been asking for it! Carl if he gives you anymore problems get him again!!!!!!!!
Seems Nascars "have at it", had been working for Brad K for sometime!He had hit a lot of cars, and he was just lucky none of them flipped, he had not been penalized neither!!!!!
Now mabe some of the other drivers who owe Brad K one will get their chance !!!
If you are going to "dish it out" you need to be able to take it!!!!!!
Great point about the drug testing policy, Barry. How much more dangerous could a drug addict be doing something accidentally than doing what Edwards did intentionally?
I'm serious. Somebody try to answer that question. What could you accidentally do that would be more dangerous than that?
Ruckus
Their are plenty thing a drug addict could do!
Why dont they do a drug test before you get your drivers license on the highway we travel???????
First kill someone on our highways like they do everyday, and just remember we have no roll bar or wear the helmut!!!!!
Second sell drugs to teenagers and wreck their life!
Just remember Nascar is a sport that has sponsors that carry drug or achocol sponsors and even hard liquior!!!!!!
Innocent people are dying everyday!
Brad K did not mean for Edwards car to go into the fence at Talledaga, but neither did Edwards want to sent Brad flipping as well! Payback is not a drug, if he had kept hitting me like he did Carl, he might need some drugs!!!!!!!
PS Let him hit a Hendrick car such as Gordon and Johnson like he has hit Edwards and Hamlin and see how fast Nascar reacts
Irene - Sorry it doesn't matter whether you're an Edwards fan or not, not when you spew nonsense such as this: "The real concern for all those allegedly worried about BK's safety should have been WHY DID THE CAR FLIP no matter what started the process the cars were supposed to be SAFER remember?"
Guess you haven't noticed, car have turned turtle LONG before the CoT was a dream in someone's brain cavity. Not to mention the car IS SAFER.
If you care to dispute that... facts please?
Berry - "NASCAR just took the teeth out of their drug testing program. Race cars going airborne and threatening to go into the bleachers is why they have a drug testing program."
Nice try, but you're wrong. The testing program is to catch drivers using illegal substances. But hey at least you tried.
Ruckus, "Great point about the drug testing policy, Barry. How much more dangerous could a drug addict be doing something accidentally than doing what Edwards did intentionally?
I'm serious. Somebody try to answer that question. What could you accidentally do that would be more dangerous than that?"
Very good point.
In light of Carl's statements to Dick Bergeran before and after he mugged Brad K., maybe Scott's doesn't feel it can be sure when Carl is telling the truth.
If Edwards didn't require instant gratification he could have mugged Brad at Bristol without any fanfare or does he need the exposure to make himself feel good?
I don't disagree with your assessemnt of the state of the sport, being driven by real people with real emotions and I'm OK with the penalty for Edwards other than NASCAR should have docked him the points difference between 5th (which is the spot he was "fighting for") and last.
It's important to realize though, that sponsorships are a privelege and not a right and that sponsors who dole out considerable money should be able to express their feelings as well.
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