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DEI thinking dirty thoughts and please free Gordon's No. 7
2/21/08: SOZ Studios, MI - By Mike Harper "SOZ" (RaceTalkRadio.com)
I'm not sure what NASCAR has against Robby Gordon. But it's a safe bet there's no love for the driver of the No. 7 Dodge. I base my opinions on the fines and penalties they've slapped him with over the past couple of years.
Sure, Robby has experienced the wrath of NASCAR before and in many cases it was deserved. But I would think most reasonable thinking people would agree that the penalty given to Gordon after Daytona is a little extreme and harsh especially when you compare it to other penalties dished out in the past.
The No. 7 team was penalized on Wednesday due to violations found during opening day inspection for the Daytona 500. Seems there was some confusion about Gordon's front bumper - it was the wrong one. Bottom line, Gordon partnered with Gillette Evernham Motorsports just before the Daytona 500, which meant, a transition from Fords to Dodges. The nose of the Dodge was supplied to Gordon's team and placed on the car. NASCAR found the nose during the inspection process and once the team was notified that it was an incorrect nose, it was replaced.
"This was an innocent mistake made by someone not even on my team. They accidentally supplied us the new Dodge noses that NASCAR hasn't yet approved because of what amounted to a clerical error," said Gordon in an official press release about the incident. "It was not even close to being an intent to create some competitive advantage, and the mistake was not even made by my team."
While it's easy for me to understand that NASCAR must be consistent in dishing out penalties, in this case, it's not consistent.
Remember last season at this time? Jeff Gordon won a Duel race and failed post-race inspection because his car was too low. This happened before the Daytona 500, as did Robby Gordon's issue, but NASCAR's penalty last season to Jeff Gordon was making him start 42nd in the race. According to Robin Pemberton, NASCAR's vice president for competition, "We felt it was unintentional."
Okay, I'm sure your saying - but SOZ, Jeff Gordon's car wasn't the new car of today and they have a new set of rules for this car. And I would agree with you. New car, new rules, I'm with you.
However, new car, new rules, same Robby Gordon. We saw last season Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon all docked 100 points for messing with the car of today, but my beef with NASCAR on this one is the intent issue. In all three cases of Dale, Jimmie and Jeff, it was determined there was an intent to increase performance and the teams didn't even appeal the penalties. In Robby Gordon's case, it was an obvious mistake and who would want to put on an untested nose, to run during the biggest race of the season? No one! If NASCAR looks at intent, as they've done time and time again - they would free Gordon and his No. 7 car.
The problem is Robby has a history with NASCAR and I think intent or not, they have no problem nailing him. What's sad about this situation is - a driver can retaliate against another driver using his car and a driver can turn to violence and punch another driver and only get a six-race probation. But a team can receive a nose of a Dodge, a new nose from a third party, put it on before the car even hits the track and get slapped with a 100-point penalty - what is wrong with this picture?
I don't care about the money (it goes to a good cause), I don't care about the suspension of Gordon's crew chief (because what's suspension really?), but to dock a team 100 points for an innocent mistake, done by someone not associated with the team is down right harsh. It leads me to have the perception that some people within NASCAR don't like Robby Gordon.
DEI's dirty thoughts
What is happening to DEI these days? At one point in history, they dominated the superspeedways. Today, they walk away from the Daytona 500 with a best 20th place finish from their newest Junior, Martin Truex Jr.
Now it's being reported that Max Seigel, the president of global operations at Dale Earnhardt Inc., hosted World Supercross GP Champion James Stewart at the Daytona 500. For some reason, Mr. Seigel thinks James "Bubba" Stewart would be a great addition to DEI and is working hard at convincing young Stewart to transition from motocross to stock cars.
"Yeah, I'd like to try it," Stewart told ESPN. "Once I came down saw all the people, all the merchandise, that definitely interests me."
What has me scratching my head is why would DEI invest in another two-wheeler superstar when their first project (Ricky Carmichael) hasn't turned out to be the next great one as they had hoped?
I have a bunch of questions on this topic:
When asked about racing in NASCAR, why would Bubba say, "Once I came down saw all the people, all the merchandise?" Why would he leave out the most important thing - racing? How about be interested in racing? Is it all about the money? I mean, get real - this was his first NASCAR race and he's more interested in selling merchandise than racing, give me a break!
What is Teresa thinking? First, last year she complained about Dale Earnhardt Jr. wanting to be a star instead of a driver and now she's allowing her management team to pursue a non-driver.
Do they need the sponsorship money so bad that they are going after rich motocross champions to fill the need?
Is this their new niche? Ganassi has the open-wheeler niche going for his organization, does this mean DEI is the official two-wheeler development program of NASCAR?
And lastly, what happened to researching drivers from local tracks or ARCA for young talent who are experienced in stock cars - does DEI frown on true experience?
What's happening over at DEI is really very interesting. People are leaving the company and they seem to be developing drivers who aren't truly race car drivers. Now they are looking at a new Earnhardt movie - is this what they've become?
It reminds me of something Priscilla Presley would do in managing Elvis' estate. No, really it does. Not that I find anything wrong with it because both Elvis and Dale Earnhardt were legends in their own industries. But with Earnhardt, he was a racer. And if he wasn't winning, heads were spinning. Funny, we don't see that attitude at DEI anymore.
Check out the replay of Wednesday's "Quick Change" on RaceTalkRadio.com to hear what Mike, Dennis and Lori had to say about the above topics. You can always email SOZ and share your thoughts about the above column. Come back and see if your comments make the "cut" below.
Jack says: Couldn't agree with you more. As with most all of NASCAR's other decisions it seems like they are openly forcing one car teams out of business. Robby had no choice if he was to survive. Further, if NASCAR was going to levy a fine, Everham should have had to take a share of the responsibility.
Dan from FL says: Robby should shut up and play by the rules. He knows if you tweak the COT it's a big fine and point reduction.
Sam says: NASCAR has it in for Robby. He will never make the chase because they always pick on him.
Jamie from NC says: I visited DEI recently and no one was smiling like they did in the past. I'm a huge Truex fan and I hope he finds a new place to race cause the are losing the magic they once had.
Fort from SC says: Give me a **** break. DEI is looking at that guy? I don't believe it SOZ. Ricky will be a good driver after he spends time in the seat and I hope they replace Mark with him. I agree with you about Elvis. DEI will make more money from Big E like Graceland does with Elvis.
Steve says: Well my friend I agree one hundred percent with you on Robby Gordons penalty! Nascar clearly has its picks on who gets made an example of or who just gets the ole slap on the wrist. As for DEI, I would bet money ole Dale is thrashing about in his grave seeing and knowing whats going on with HIS company. Its sad, but I see the house Dale built crumbling down, Teresas boys ought to go to Hickory Motorspeedway one Saturday night and pick them a good ole boy to put in thier development program, aint that the way it used to be done?
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