Fan Commentary

Tough Decisions Bound to Tick Someone Off

by Grandstand Bob

I have no doubt that I would infuriate a lot of fans if I were in Mike Helton’s shoes. You can’t have that job and make everyone happy. Take Saturday’s Busch race, for instance.

In case you missed it, the red flag was shown and the cars stopped just short of crossing the start/finish line. Crossing the line would make the race half-way and official. As the drivers sat there, the clouds opened up and darkness crawled in. The jet dryers drove around in the rain in what became a symbolic gesture to resume the race. That plan didn’t work out, and the cars were led over the very wet start/finish line and back to their garages, making the race complete.

On one hand, you have fans, though very few when the race finally ended, patiently waiting and expecting to see some racing. I’ve been in their shoes before, and I know the frustration of shelling out a wad of cash and sitting in the rain clinging to hopes. These fans are wet, miserable and irritable. There is very little NASCAR or the track can do to make them happy.

On the other hand, you have NASCAR, the competitors and the track personnel. These people are already weary from a packed schedule of races and travel. Postponing Saturday’s race to give the fans more racing for their money would have meant racing on Monday or maybe even Tuesday, if the Winston Cup race had also been postponed. That means an extra day of work for everyone who spends their race weekends on the payroll, and more expenses for some entities whose funds are already taxed. As miserable as it is for the fans, it’s just as miserable for those putting on the show, maybe even more miserable.

That’s why I would hate to have the responsibility for some of the decisions NASCAR’s officials must make. It’s easy for me to sit in front of my television or in the stands and criticize official decisions. Usually, my criticism is based on the fans’ best interests, which I happen to share. But those best interests are often incongruent with the best interests of those putting on the show.

Red flag finishes are another issue for which I wouldn’t want responsibility. Rarely is a late-race red flag in the best interest of the competitors. Yes, it shrinks up the field and gives drivers who have fallen behind a shot at the win, but it’s a precarious path to the win. Red flags give some drivers the courage to make ill-advised or extremely daring moves, which can lead to dramatic crashes and crushed fenders. That's why drivers hate them and fans love them.

So, if you are a decision-maker, do you make decisions in the best interest of the fans or the competitors? Without fans, there will be no sport; on the other hand, if you unnecessarily put competitors in harm’s way, you might take away the very competitors which bring the fans. It’s a tough call, and one which I’m glad not to have responsibility for making.

Another call which I’m glad I don’t have is the decision what to do with restrictor plate racing. As many of you know, I’m a proponent of taking off the restrictor plate and slowing down the cars with aero packages. Again, it’s easy for me to say this, because I don’t have responsibility for the lives of competitors and spectators.

NASCAR has responsibility for all of these issues, and that makes them an easy target for critics, myself included. No, they don’t do everything perfectly, but who could under these conditions?

On another note, thanks Robby Gordon fans for your messages. I still don’t agree with the way he handles himself in tough situations, but I can respect his frustration and the frustration of his fans. Robby is a tremendous driver, but he’s not particularly skilled at the public relations aspects of racing, kind of like Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart – two drivers I’ve come to respect. Like these two, Robby’s actions and demeanor come back to bite him. He does seem to be getting a better handle on this important aspect of racing, and I hope that he continues to race, because he does add to the sport.            

Grandstand Bob Profile and Past Columns

note: This opinions expressed in this column are those of writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of ARS Racing Outlet or its parent company, amI, Inc.