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Sprint Cup
DUNLAP: Code Of Conduct
I would like to propose a new code of conduct for race car drivers in all forms of motorsports...
Ray Dunlap, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Reporter. (Photo: SPEED)
It’s time for a new code of conduct in NASCAR.
NASCAR has a very tough job when it comes to creating a package of rules to govern the conduct of its drivers, a task further complicated by the fact that the behavior of our society constantly is changing. Each generation views what is socially acceptable differently than previous ones, and today’s NASCAR has three distinctly different generations of drivers on the track.
Two years ago when NASCAR management coined the phrase “Boys have at it,” they may have opened up a proverbial Pandora’s Box. The concept was simple: We (NASCAR) want to put the responsibility of governing on-track conduct back in the drivers’ hands. The old sayings “an eye for an eye” and “do unto others as you would have done unto you” come to my mind.
It was obvious the sanctioning body was reacting to specific rules created for special circumstances at Daytona and Talladega that had come under excessive scrutiny. The no-bump drafting zones in the corners had become much too restrictive and even more subjective. The theory was that if they let the drivers deem what is safe and keep the control tower out of the decision making, the fans would be much happier. But that isn’t exactly working.
Therefore, I would like to propose a new code of conduct for race car drivers in all forms of motorsports.
After the race is completed, all grievances between drivers should be settled person-to-person.
Following the checkered flag, no driver shall make any form of contact with another vehicle for any reason.
Profanity is not acceptable on team radios. We are all adults. Drivers should act like it.
If you are interviewed on TV or radio, stop walking, stand still, address the interviewer, compose your thoughts and act respectfully.
Let’s examine my proposals a little more in-depth:
1) The driver is the only person responsible for what happens on the race track. Cowboy up and be accountable for your actions. Nobody made you spin out your opponent. You did it all on your own. You had a choice to choose an alternative response and you created your personal course of action. Therefore, you must face the consequences of your choices. The size of your pit crew should be irrelevant. Don’t call the other driver later in the week, but walk up to him/her and speak in person. It makes a big difference and earns you much greater respect.
2) If you have a beef with another driver, work it out in person and keep your vehicle out of the confrontation. Your race vehicle is built by many skilled workers back at the shop and is not a personal-grievance-battering ram. When your race car/truck sustains damage during green-flag racing, that generally is just racing. When you create damage after the race, you should be held personally and financially responsible. Just as in the glass souvenir store – if you break it, you buy it. Do not give your fellow driver a congratulatory tire rub; a wave out the window will suffice.
3) I’ll admit I swear too much in my daily personal life. However, I never have uttered a curse word on TV. I can temper my speech in this situation because I am very aware that type of language is unacceptable during a broadcast. It is no more acceptable on the team radio where fans (many of them small children) can listen in. The fact most drivers use profanity on the radio does not make it right. If the team owners took a stand and fined the drivers for this behavior, there could be a big change in making the at-track experience much better for the fans. If we recorded drivers’ profanity-laced radio rants and played them back in front of their own kids, most would cringe. Let’s create a higher standard in team communications. It really is not that hard to accomplish.
4) NASCAR racing television gives fans incredible access to the drivers and events. There is no other sport where you can get so close to the competitors. Can you imagine me walking up to a baseball player as he walks off the field after committing a crucial error, sticking a mic in his face and asking him, “What happened?” Yet we do that to drivers every week. Overall, the relationship between NASCAR racers and the media is very symbiotic. There should, however, be a new rule instituted. At any time during the race event, a driver may do one of three things. 1. Refuse the request of an interview altogether. 2. Ask for a cooling-off period before addressing the TV/radio reporter. 3. Stop walking, stand still and address the questions directly. Those choices aren’t difficult ones. Drivers are paid a lot of money to represent their sponsors. Despite whether the media member asks a ridiculously stupid question or the most intelligent one ever, show some respect and please stop walking during the interview.
In other words, just act like your parents taught you to act.
Ray Dunlap is a veteran pit road reporter for SPEED in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and a host for NASCAR Race Hub. Dunlap also reports for The SPEED Report, NASCAR Live and other programs on SPEED. Dunlap has covered the Truck Series since 1997 and has served as a play-by-play announcer and pit road reporter for several series, including the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, IPower Dash Series and ARCA Series. He was honored in 1997 as the Electronic Motorsports Media Personality of the Year and enjoys scuba diving and woodworking in his spare time.
The opinions reflected herein are solely those of the above commentator and are not necessarily those of SPEED.com, FOX, NewsCorp, or SPEED
NASCAR has a very tough job when it comes to creating a package of rules to govern the conduct of its drivers, a task further complicated by the fact that the behavior of our society constantly is changing. Each generation views what is socially acceptable differently than previous ones, and today’s NASCAR has three distinctly different generations of drivers on the track.
Two years ago when NASCAR management coined the phrase “Boys have at it,” they may have opened up a proverbial Pandora’s Box. The concept was simple: We (NASCAR) want to put the responsibility of governing on-track conduct back in the drivers’ hands. The old sayings “an eye for an eye” and “do unto others as you would have done unto you” come to my mind.
It was obvious the sanctioning body was reacting to specific rules created for special circumstances at Daytona and Talladega that had come under excessive scrutiny. The no-bump drafting zones in the corners had become much too restrictive and even more subjective. The theory was that if they let the drivers deem what is safe and keep the control tower out of the decision making, the fans would be much happier. But that isn’t exactly working.
Therefore, I would like to propose a new code of conduct for race car drivers in all forms of motorsports.
After the race is completed, all grievances between drivers should be settled person-to-person.
Following the checkered flag, no driver shall make any form of contact with another vehicle for any reason.
Profanity is not acceptable on team radios. We are all adults. Drivers should act like it.
If you are interviewed on TV or radio, stop walking, stand still, address the interviewer, compose your thoughts and act respectfully.
Let’s examine my proposals a little more in-depth:
1) The driver is the only person responsible for what happens on the race track. Cowboy up and be accountable for your actions. Nobody made you spin out your opponent. You did it all on your own. You had a choice to choose an alternative response and you created your personal course of action. Therefore, you must face the consequences of your choices. The size of your pit crew should be irrelevant. Don’t call the other driver later in the week, but walk up to him/her and speak in person. It makes a big difference and earns you much greater respect.
2) If you have a beef with another driver, work it out in person and keep your vehicle out of the confrontation. Your race vehicle is built by many skilled workers back at the shop and is not a personal-grievance-battering ram. When your race car/truck sustains damage during green-flag racing, that generally is just racing. When you create damage after the race, you should be held personally and financially responsible. Just as in the glass souvenir store – if you break it, you buy it. Do not give your fellow driver a congratulatory tire rub; a wave out the window will suffice.
3) I’ll admit I swear too much in my daily personal life. However, I never have uttered a curse word on TV. I can temper my speech in this situation because I am very aware that type of language is unacceptable during a broadcast. It is no more acceptable on the team radio where fans (many of them small children) can listen in. The fact most drivers use profanity on the radio does not make it right. If the team owners took a stand and fined the drivers for this behavior, there could be a big change in making the at-track experience much better for the fans. If we recorded drivers’ profanity-laced radio rants and played them back in front of their own kids, most would cringe. Let’s create a higher standard in team communications. It really is not that hard to accomplish.
4) NASCAR racing television gives fans incredible access to the drivers and events. There is no other sport where you can get so close to the competitors. Can you imagine me walking up to a baseball player as he walks off the field after committing a crucial error, sticking a mic in his face and asking him, “What happened?” Yet we do that to drivers every week. Overall, the relationship between NASCAR racers and the media is very symbiotic. There should, however, be a new rule instituted. At any time during the race event, a driver may do one of three things. 1. Refuse the request of an interview altogether. 2. Ask for a cooling-off period before addressing the TV/radio reporter. 3. Stop walking, stand still and address the questions directly. Those choices aren’t difficult ones. Drivers are paid a lot of money to represent their sponsors. Despite whether the media member asks a ridiculously stupid question or the most intelligent one ever, show some respect and please stop walking during the interview.
In other words, just act like your parents taught you to act.
Ray Dunlap is a veteran pit road reporter for SPEED in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and a host for NASCAR Race Hub. Dunlap also reports for The SPEED Report, NASCAR Live and other programs on SPEED. Dunlap has covered the Truck Series since 1997 and has served as a play-by-play announcer and pit road reporter for several series, including the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, IPower Dash Series and ARCA Series. He was honored in 1997 as the Electronic Motorsports Media Personality of the Year and enjoys scuba diving and woodworking in his spare time.
The opinions reflected herein are solely those of the above commentator and are not necessarily those of SPEED.com, FOX, NewsCorp, or SPEED
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