Tyler Walker and the NASCAR Drug Testing Policy

I don’t get this. I just came across this article from ESPN talking about Tyler Walker and how his suspension from NASCAR due to substance abuse dramatically changed his life. He mentioned that he felt sorry for the fans, sponsors and friends that supported him. I’m sure he also regrets not being able to display his skills in a NASCAR race track. Walker also added that he’s been sober for 10 months now (good for him).

But what struck me though was what he said that if NASCAR had a more stringent drug testing program when he first started racing, he would’ve cleaned up his act for fear of being caught. Now that got me thinking. Is he blaming the ineptness of NASCAR’s drug testing policy for his downfall here? I’m sure the system that NASCAR has in terms of drug testing is far from perfect but I don’t think they should be blamed for someone’s inability to control his (or her) problem. C’mon man, you already know what’s right and wrong, good and bad. I don’t think its right to point fingers at an institution and tell the people running it that “if they had stricter rules, you wouldn’t have taken drugs and you wouldn’t have been suspended.” You had a choice. The path taken may not have been the right one but it was a decision that came from you. It didn’t come from NASCAR.

I guess what I’m trying to drive at here is that I don’t think that the “alleged” incompetence of an organization’s drug system should be used as an excuse. As a person, it’s up to us decide what we think is good for us. If we happen to fall because of it, we should accept it as our fault and not put the blame on someone else and use it as an excuse for not being able to have enough self-control. Just say you were wrong and quit pointing fingers.

Sources: Espn, Wikipedia

Racers Clamoring For More Improvements on NASCAR’s New Car

Looks like a lot of drivers aren’t happy with how the new NASCAR race car (i.e. The Car of Tomorrow) is performing. Just ask Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart. The two most recognized drivers in NASCAR have been recently very vocal about how the car has performed on the race track. Johnson has stated that the car made it difficult for him to maneuver going into a corner and wants it to have more downforce and not be aero-dependent. Stewart on the other hand, has expressed dissatisfaction with how the tires perform.

But despite their complaints about the car’s performance and parts, both drivers can’t argue with the safety features that the car brings to the table. Take a look at Michael McDowell who managed to survive after colliding with a Turn 1 wall while using NASCAR’s new race car. It was like the car found a way for him to cheat death. That in itself gives NASCAR’s new car a thumbs-up in my book.

Personally, I’d stick it out with the new car despite what some drivers may say about its performance. Safety over performance matters, folks. If people believed in this and took it to heart, we probably wouldn’t have that much unwanted pregnancy and our planet wouldn’t be that overpopulated.

Sources: Sporting News, Athlonsports, CNN

FIA President Involved In Scandal

As an ordinary person (meaning: common man, a nobody, regular folk, get it?), if you brag about your escapades with women to a friend, chances are, that friend of yours will turn green with envy, ask you how you did it and then find a way to do it himself. But if you just happen to be the president of a worldwide organization, chances are you’re going to end up being crucified or burned on a steak for getting yourself involved in this type of act. Well, that just happened to Max Mosley.

As the president of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile or FIA, Max Mosley is responsible for looking out for the welfare of all international racing bodies and car users worldwide. He’s pretty much like a president of a country. So when you have this type of position and you get caught in a sex scandal, there are two things you can do. Step down or shoot yourself. Unfortunately, Mosley refuses to do both and insists on staying on as president until his term ends on 2009. The scandal, which was reported by The News of the World, stated that Mosley engaged in a Nazi role-playing sexual act with five prostitutes in an apartment. One of the women was dressed in a prison uniform and spoke in German. Wow, how kinky is that? The News of the World even posted a video of the act in their site but has since then removed it. In a letter sent to the officials of FIA, Mosley has stated that he will not step down and is asking for the sympathy and support of the organization. He also called the report released by The News of the World as a “wholly unwarranted invasion of my privacy” and that he plans on taking legal action.

Despite his intentions of staying as president, a number of people have clamored him to step down because of this act. Two of those who have been vocal about Mosley resigning are Jody Scheckter, the 1979 F1 champion and Jackie Stewart, three-time F1 champion. Given the gravity of the situation, I feel it would be best for Mosley to step down. Let’s face it. You already got caught, plus you admitted to doing it, so that pretty much says you’re guilty. So resigning would definitely help him save face and at the same time, free himself from the embarrassment of being ousted (possibly forcefully) from his post by FIA.

Sources: Sporting News, Wikipedia

Michael Waltrip On The Sway Bar Incident Involving Roush Racing

“Accidents happen, mistakes happen. If you look inside this garage area today there's over 70 racing vehicles in here and stuff gets slung everywhere ... I could see why he would be upset. He feels like he was wronged and he's mad about it.”

- Michael Waltrip
NASCAR Driver and owner
of Michael Waltrip Racing

That’s right kids, accidents do happen. It’s just a normal everyday occurrence. So the next time you try to steal something from a friend of yours (or you were successful in your attempt) and you get caught, just tell mommy and daddy that it was an accident. Oh, and make sure that a tear drop rolls down your cheek for that added effect. That way, you won’t have to worry about incurring their wrath.

Sources:All About Auto, Espn, Wikipedia

Roush Livid About Recovered Sway Bar; Blames Toyota

What started out as a regular inspection conducted by NASCAR and led to one team’s front sway bar surfacing at another team’s garage, has now escalated into a war between the two parties involved in the inspection.

Jack Roush, owner of the Roush Fenway Racing team is accusing one of Toyota’s racing team of theft for taking his team’s front sway bar, which initially was thought to be a spring of one of their cars. Roush president Geoff Smith initially confirmed that the recovered part was not a spring and continued that the car part allegedly ended getting mixed up with other Toyota parts during a tear down conducted by NASCAR inspectors. Upon discovering that the part wasn’t theirs, Toyota dutifully returned it to the Roush Fenway Racing team. But despite returning the car part, Jack Roush still expressed his anger in the ESPN Magazine released last March 7 stating: “We had a proprietary Roush Fenway part go missing from one of my race teams and we recovered it from a Toyota team. I'm not going to say which team it is, but we are considering legal action or getting NASCAR involved.” He even held a press conference last Friday where he again reiterated his accusation of theft against Toyota and where he finally revealed that the part that went missing was in fact a front sway bar.

Roush started to talk after hearing the comments made by Toyota’s Sprint Cup Series general manager Lee White at USA Today, regarding the debacle the team and their racer Carl Edwards were currently in. This prompted Roush to lash back at the White, where he brought up allegations about Toyota using jet fuel at last year’s Daytona 500.

White is currently looking into this missing part allegation as well and has refused to provide any comments pending further investigation. So far, NASCAR hasn’t had any involvement with this case citing that this has to be settled by the teams themselves. Hopefully this matter gets to be resolved soon since cases like these are something NASCAR can really do without.

Sources: Espn, USA Today

Dale Jarrett To Call It A Career After The All-Star Race

One of NASCAR’s racing greats has finally decided to hang up his racing shoes after going at it for twenty-four years. And as a fitting way to cap his career, he’ll end it in the race track which almost finished his career before it even began.

Dale Jarrett, son of the legendary race car driver Ned Jarrett, has made up his mind in making this year’s All-Star Race, to be held at Lowe’s Motor Speedway this May, the last race course he’ll drive on. It was in this course that Jarrett’s career almost came to an immediate halt when an accident occurred during the race. With three laps remaining in the infamous 1980 race, Gene Glover accidentally blew up his car’s engine prompting Jarrett, who was trailing him, to collide with Glover’s car. Even though the accident was quite severe, Jarrett was lucky enough to escape only with a broken ankle. The funny part in all of this was that at the time of the accident, Jarrett was more concerned about whether he would be able play golf than being able to race again.

"They assured me I'd probably walk again," Jarrett said. "They weren't sure about golf, and that was a little upsetting at the time."

But despite his worries about whether he would still be able to play golf, Dale Jarrett recovered from the injury and returned to the track. The accident may have been a blessing in disguise since during the course of his career after the accident, he was able to win the 1999 points championship, collect three Daytona 500 championships, and amass a total thirty-two wins. Not only that, but his fear of not being able to play golf again was put to rest as he was still able to return to the playing field.

Before he hangs up his race boots for good, a tribute will be held for Dale Jarrett during the All-Star Weekend race festivities. He’ll be inducted into the Motor Speedways’ Court of Legends, along with his father Ned Jarrett. Even though this would end up being his last race, his competitive nature is still there, as he plans on trying to win the All-Star race and make it his first non-points event win ever.

So come this All-Star Race weekend, I’m placing my money on Dale Jarrett to take home the prize. Not only may we witness the possibility of Jarrett winning the race, but this will also mark the last time we see one of NASCAR’s greatest in the race track.

Sources: Fox Sports, Espn, Sports Illustrated

Burton Wins As Stewart Crashes This Year’s Food City 500 Sprint Cup

Luck can really make things happen for you when you least expect it. That’s what happened to Jeff Burton and Tony Stewart at this year’s Food City 500 Sprint Cup held at the Bristol Motor Speedway. Luck was on Jeff Burton’s side as he was able to capture the win. However, luck wasn’t on Tony Stewart side as a costly decision not to change tires and an accident during the race cost him the opportunity of taking home the prize, leaving him to wallow at 14th place.

During the course of the race, Tony Stewart of Joe Gibbs Racing, was actually decimating the competition. He held the lead in a record-breaking 267 laps. But despite leading during the majority of the race, lady luck just could find a way to smile at him. During the laps 491 to 495, Stewart decided to have his tires changed after witnessing Brian Vicker’s tires break down and had him crash on the wall. However, his decision was overruled by his crew chief, Greg Zipadelli since there were only 11 laps remaining and Zipadelli felt that there weren’t enough laps left. Because of this decision, Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin were able to catch up with him during the race. Harvick decided to make an attempt to overtake Stewart but came up short and instead bumped Stewart, causing him to collide against the wall, ultimately costing him the race. The accident prompted officials to call a two-lap overtime sprint, which Jeff Burton took advantage off and eventually won by edging out Hamlin.

Based on what happened, it seems that skill isn’t the only thing needed when it comes to winning a race. By the looks of it, having lady luck on your side definitely plays a big role in getting a win, isn’t that right Jeff?

Sources: Fox Sports, Sporting News, Fox Sports Bristol Weekend Images