The Monster Mile, Race 13
Joe Nemechek's fine, opinion poll, bridge collapse update, and the MBNA Platinum 400 from Dover Downs International Speedway, Delaware.
Joe Nemechek......... Rough Driving?
On May 24th, they fined Joe Nemechek $15,000 for "actions deemed by NASCAR Officials as detrimental to stock car racing." This rampant intrusion into Joe's finances was the result of the altercation he had with Steve Park during the last segment of The Winston. Park loosened Nemechek up, and the very next lap, at the same place on the track, Nemechek returned the favor. The "favor" resulted in a wreck that took both racecars out of the race.
Lots of fans were quick to declare that there were other incidents in the event, but the participants weren't fined. The fine had nothing to do with "rough driving." Nemechek was fined for "road rage." Apparently, NASCAR has chosen not to use that particular term. We've seen it before, lots of times. It doesn't always draw a fine, but always causes lots of controversy and hard feelings. Joe said, "It's unfortunate it had to work that way, my intention wasn't to wreck him on purpose getting into the corner like that. I might have loosened him up right where he loosened me up the lap before, but wrecking him was never my intention."
The key word there is "intention." It was payback time, Joe got up behind Park and intentionally got him loose. After the incident, Joe admitted that he'd lost his cool, and let his emotions run wild. The incident was intentional, and it resulted in a wreck that caused a caution period in the event. As a result, the sanctioning body levied the fine.
Joe Nemecheck took exception to the fine, he thinks it's unfair. When you look at the whole picture, it is unfair. As I stated above, we've seen it lots of times before, and it's clearly evident that NASCAR Officials don't follow any given pattern when it comes to who gets fined and who doesn't. Not too long ago, a driver said, "I didn't intend to wreck him, I just intended to rattle his cage a little." That particular driver wasn't fined for his intended actions. So, why wouldn't Nemecheck think it's unfair?
There's no way to stop vehicular emotional outbursts, or "road rage." It's similar to domestic violence. You can't get into a home to stop violent actions, and you can't get into a vehicle to stop them either. All NASCAR can do is to try and keep it in check. I don't think they're doing a very good job. By not being consistent with their fines, they're not sending a clear message to the drivers. They need to adapt an unswerving attitude when it comes to dealing with "pay back time" on the racetrack.
The copyright of the article The Monster Mile, Race 13 in NASCAR is owned by Thomas M. Sampson. Permission to republish The Monster Mile, Race 13 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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