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Sprint Cup
CUP: Smoldering Issues Flare Anew After Pocono
NASCAR has faced some tough issues in the past few weeks...
Elliott Sadler, driver of the #19 Air Force Ford, lays on the track after he hit the wall in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway. (Photo: Getty Images)
The events of the past week on the NASCAR circuit show among other things, just how many difficult issues are being faced not only by NASCAR officials and track owners but also by the members of the ever-shrinking media corps and fans themselves
When word of NASCAR’s decision to fine drivers for comments that were deemed detrimental to the sport leaked out, media members who got the news second- or third-hand were faced with the decision of whether to go with the story without an on-the-record verification or sit on the news.
That problem was solved by an AP report confirming the fines.
Then, when the circuit arrived at Pocono Raceway and the regular media sessions got under way, media members and the fans who read their stories had to wonder whether drivers were answering questions truthfully or whether they were trying to avoid trouble with NASCAR officials.
Those journalists were put in a difficult but all-too familiar position – do you simply write what someone tells you on the record or do you work even harder, and take more career risks, to try to get at the truth?
The issue ratcheted up a few more notches Sunday afternoon after Elliott Sadler crashed into a section of the track not protected by SAFER barriers. In earlier races at Pocono, drivers had been critical of the lack of modern safety features at Pocono. Much of the inside of the track is lined with steel guardrails that have long been replaced at other tracks. And in many portions of the track, there’s no catchfence atop the outside wall, only trees to catch a flying car.
Photos: Elliott Sadler Crash At Pocono
Veteran crew chief and TV analyst Tim Brewer compared Sadler’s crash, one in which the engine and transmission were thrown from his car, to Don McTavish’s fatal crash at Daytona in 1969.
But in the post-race press sessions, drivers seemed reluctant to address the safety situation at Pocono.
Here’s what Tony Stewart had to say: “I’ll be honest, I haven’t even looked that far off the race track…. Obviously, without knowing the problem, I don’t know the solution either.
“I don’t think it’s a big drama or anything.”
Carl Edwards had similar comments “I don’t know what happened,” he said. “From my standpoint, though, this is a fine race track. I feel safe driving on it, but I didn’t see that hit.”
When word of NASCAR’s decision to fine drivers for comments that were deemed detrimental to the sport leaked out, media members who got the news second- or third-hand were faced with the decision of whether to go with the story without an on-the-record verification or sit on the news.
That problem was solved by an AP report confirming the fines.
Then, when the circuit arrived at Pocono Raceway and the regular media sessions got under way, media members and the fans who read their stories had to wonder whether drivers were answering questions truthfully or whether they were trying to avoid trouble with NASCAR officials.
Those journalists were put in a difficult but all-too familiar position – do you simply write what someone tells you on the record or do you work even harder, and take more career risks, to try to get at the truth?
The issue ratcheted up a few more notches Sunday afternoon after Elliott Sadler crashed into a section of the track not protected by SAFER barriers. In earlier races at Pocono, drivers had been critical of the lack of modern safety features at Pocono. Much of the inside of the track is lined with steel guardrails that have long been replaced at other tracks. And in many portions of the track, there’s no catchfence atop the outside wall, only trees to catch a flying car.
Photos: Elliott Sadler Crash At Pocono
Veteran crew chief and TV analyst Tim Brewer compared Sadler’s crash, one in which the engine and transmission were thrown from his car, to Don McTavish’s fatal crash at Daytona in 1969.
PHOTOS: Cup - Elliott Sadler Pocono Crash Elliott Sadler's car is towed to the Pocono Raceway garage. (Photo: Getty Images)
But in the post-race press sessions, drivers seemed reluctant to address the safety situation at Pocono.
Here’s what Tony Stewart had to say: “I’ll be honest, I haven’t even looked that far off the race track…. Obviously, without knowing the problem, I don’t know the solution either.
“I don’t think it’s a big drama or anything.”
Carl Edwards had similar comments “I don’t know what happened,” he said. “From my standpoint, though, this is a fine race track. I feel safe driving on it, but I didn’t see that hit.”
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