Jun 19, 2008

Preferential Treatment For Dale Jr

According to Ryan Newman, NASCAR officials should have penalized Dale Earnhardt Jr after he passed the pace car. Conserving fuel with just a handful of laps to go in the LifeLock 400 at Michigan, Earnhardt Jr turned his engine off and coasted past the pace car. NASCAR officials warned Earnhardt Jr to allow the pace car to pass him and he complied. Still, drivers questioned why Earnhardt was not penalized.

The always candid Newman, who spent Tuesday at Kennedy Space Center where he received a commemorative green flag for winning the 50th running of the Daytona 500, said, "Based on the conversations we have in the driver's meeting almost every week (told not to pass the pace car), yes there was preferential treatment. It's a known fact, do not pass the pace car. Whether it's a caution or coming to pit lane, whatever, you do not pass the pace car."

The 2003 Cup champion Matt Kenseth nearly echoed Newman's sentiments.

"I didn't think you could pass the pace car," he said. "I thought you had to stay close up, but if I was in their position, obviously, I'd be doing the same thing, trying to make it to the end on fuel."

Folks, there is no conspiracy theory here. While I agree with Newman that NASCAR has its golden boys, I think they let this one slide only because Earnhardt Jr only needed one warning. Recall last year at Kansas when Greg Biffle ran out of fuel and allowed four cars to pass him before he crossed the finish line. Technically, Biffle did not maintain a reasonable speed, and Clint Bowyer should have won. NASCAR allowed Biffle to keep the win, and Biffle is not considered one of NASCAR's golden boys.