As the host of a major motorsports talkshow (not as big as the LTN Radio Network, apparently, but still pretty big), I have increasingly found myself exposed to a new way of thinking about NASCAR racing. At first, I rebelled against it, fearing that this "Attitude of Entitlement" would destroy the sport. Little by little, however, I have been beaten down by this Chinese Water Torture of progressive, politically correct thinking, until today, I awoke fully and completely indoctriniated in the kinder, gentler way of doing things.
As a service to my new PC brethren -- and in an effort to convert the few stragglers still not on board -- I have jotted down 12 rules that I believe should govern the sport of NASCAR racing from now on:
1. I should not have to qualify for races. I have sponsors to satisfy, so NASCAR should guarantee me a spot in every race, regardless of how poorly I perform.
2. NASCAR should continue to reward me handsomely for things I did decades ago, despite the fact that I haven’t run in the Top-20 since the Nixon Administration.
3. Qualifying should be based on the size of my sponsorship, not the speed of my race car.
4. Independent teams should not be allowed to race, since they will almost certainly make me look bad by outrunning me.
5. I should be allowed to regain all my lost laps, without actually having to pass anyone.
6. I should be allowed to park my car immediately after the race begins, but still be paid as if I ran the entire event. After all, it’s not about actually competing, it’s about making the most money possible with the least amount of effort.
7. If I finish worse than 20th, I should be awarded 20th place points. It’s not my fault that I suck, and I’ve got a sponsor to protect.
8. NASCAR should expand the “Chase For The Nextel Cup” field until it is virtually impossible for me to miss the cut.
9. Once the Chase begins, I should be awarded Top-10 points, regardless of where I actually finish.
10. Chase races should be limited to only Chase-eligible drivers, to preclude the possibility of me actually having to pass anyone.
11. At its annual Awards Banquet, NASCAR should make a big deal out of the guy who finishes eleventh. After all, eleventh place is just as good as first.
And finally...
12. NASCAR should never – under any circumstances -- make me do anything difficult in order to succeed. I'm told that the quest for excellence can be stressful, and everyone knows that stress is bad for you.
The National Motorsports Press Association award-winning online home of Dave "The Godfather" Moody.
ok dave put the crack pipe down, if that happens then lets get rid of superspeedways, road courses, and short tracks, run only cookie cutter speedways only, oh wait they call that the IRL, and dont tease us redsoxs fans, with the're coming to nascar, and if you remember right, i sent you a picture of a redsox car already. so thanks for kepping us on the edge of racing information highway
ReplyDeletekevin h
aka birdz
Dave, is number two set up for D. Dub???
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Dave, you have your wish (and don’t forget the phantom cautions to help “NASCAR Nation” make their races appear to be more competitive than they really are).
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I fear all the crap they do in Cupland is slowly poisoning the last bastion of honest motorsports, which is good ol’ American short track racing.
Which is why I'm glad you've always maintained the ties to your racing roots Dave! You know the spirit of short track (ie. "real") racing and it gives you a different perspective on NASCAR then people that let their "souls" be bought-out by greenbacks.
ReplyDeleteIt is blog pieces like this that let us northeastern race fans know that you haven't lost your sense of racing ethics and what real racing is all about.
Thanks for the sarcasm on NASCAR! They've earned it.