Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Waltrip, Bowyer Failing To Right The Ship

Bowyer: Puppet on a string
Clint Bowyer is a battered and bruised racer today, and there is no sign that the beating he’s taken for the last four days will end anytime soon.

The Michael Waltrip Racing driver spun his 5 Hour Energy Toyota with 10 laps to go Saturday, dramatically altering both the outcome of the race and the 2013 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. His spin – along with some pit road gerrymandering by MWR teammate Brian Vickers -- ruined a tremendous comeback by former series champion Jeff Gordon, who had battled back valiantly from a loose wheel, only to miss the Chase by a single point. Ryan Newman lost an apparent race victory Saturday, and made the Chase only after NASCAR penalized MWR’s Martin Truex, Jr. and inserted Newman into the playoffs, two days after the fact.

The sanctions handed down by NASCAR Monday were the stiffest in the history of the sport, and included a $300,000 fine for Michael Waltrip Racing. Truex – ironically the only MWR driver to have committed no wrongdoing Saturday – was assessed the heaviest penalty; a 50-point sanction that dropped him to 17th in the championship standings and caused him to forfeit the second Wild Card berth for the Chase.

Bowyer received a token, 50-point pre-Chase penalty that has absolutely no impact on his 2013 championship hopes.

Vickers was also docked 50 points, a meaningless sanction for a driver not competing for the Sprint Cup Series title.

Michael Waltrip has some issues...
Since the penalties were handed down, MWR and Bowyer have operated in damage control mode, avoiding any admission of guilt in favor of a series of vague apologies for any inconvenience caused. Mandated by NASCAR to make a number of appearances this week to promote the start of the Chase, Bowyer has been an uneasy target, sheepishly tap-dancing his way through the media minefield while losing toe after toe in a series of self-inflicted explosions.

“I’ve got poison oak,” insists Bowyer, dropping “the check’s in the mail” to Number Two on the list of statements virtually nobody believes.

In an odd sort of way, I feel badly for Bowyer. He doesn’t call the shots at MWR, he simply follows orders. Saturday night – as is so often the case – Bowyer and his fellow foot soldiers took the bullets, while the generals watched it happen from on-high. Bowyer, Vickers and Truex were nothing more than nomex-clad puppets, dancing awkwardly on strings pulled by others.  

Team owner Michael Waltrip laid blame at the feet of Vice President/General Manager Ty Norris this week, saying Norris – who doubles as Vickers’ spotter on race day -- was guilty of making “a split-second decision” that turned out badly, before adding, “We regret the decision and its impact.”

There was no real admission of wrongdoing, no apology for tossing sportsmanship and fair play out the window, no concern about trashing the integrity of the sport and no evidence of conscience after robbing Gordon (and ultimately Truex) of a chance to acquit themselves fairly on the field on battle.

It will be interesting to see how Bowyer and Waltrip are received this weekend, both in the grandstands and in the garage. Short of a complete and total “man up,” complete with admissions of guilt and sincere, specific apologies, their reception may be decidedly rocky.

Both Bowyer and Waltrip have enjoyed great popularity with NASCAR fans over the years, but now find themselves portrayed – fairly or not – as bad actors. Waltrip, one of the most sponsor-friendly owners in the history of the sport, now finds himself scrambling to placate angry executives from at least two backers; NAPA Auto Parts and 5 Hour Energy.

MWR could lose a lot of fans over this. They could lose a pair of sponsors over this.

Even worse, they could lose their team.

 

 

75 comments:

  1. < ironically the only MWR driver to have committed no wrongdoing Saturday >

    So Dave, are you finally admitting to yourself that Bowyer spun on purpose?

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  2. Great article Dave! Right on the money.

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    1. Anonymous8:37 PM

      Not really quote:
      In an odd sort of way, I feel badly for Bowyer. He doesn’t call the shots at MWR, he simply follows orders. Saturday night – as is so often the case – Bowyer and his fellow foot soldiers took the bullets, while the generals watched it happen from on-high. Bowyer, Vickers and Truex were nothing more than nomex-clad puppets, dancing awkwardly on strings pulled by others.
      Thats pure unadultrated bullshit by Dave. Boyer if he was 1/2 a man would have no f--king way and kept on going.BOYER and BOYER himself made the bed he now has to lay in

      Delete
  3. Anonymous3:47 PM

    Mr Moody, What is the difference in this and start and park teams. They affect the outcome of every race by stopping racing with nothing wrong with their cars. What is the difference when one team mate lets another lead a lap. What is the difference when a teammate pushes another team mate at Talladega or Daytona, you are helping another team. What is the difference when Childress and Hendrick both added cars to the field to have "Insurance" in case they needed a car to drop out to save a point. (Both Hendrick and Childress have done this (Specifically before there was a 5 car limit in the Cup Series. NASCAR has painted themselves into a corner here. This is "Business as Usual" BUT Let me say.... I don't like it, but they have basically penalized a team for something ALL teams have done in the past.

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    1. The difference between what MWR did and letting a teammate lead a lap or bump drafting to push a teammate is simple. Competition. You're still competing when you're pushing a guy, or just letting up a hair to allow a team member to gain an extra 5 points. What MWR did is comparable to points shaving in other sports. Taking a dive into the pits and spinning on purpose is both unsportsmanlike and an uncompetitive way to improve another team members position.

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    2. Anonymous4:35 PM

      Good points. Very thought provoking.

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    3. Anonymous6:17 PM

      I completely agree, how come no one in the media that covers Nascar asking these tough questions? Transperancy

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    4. Start and parks do so because they don't have the funding or the competitive means to impact the rest of the field. Essentially, start and parks only impact other start and parks or back-markers. It's been very evident since the new rules regarding purse money at the back of the field. It's more evident when you see a start and park team go to a place where they feel they can compete and give it a better go of it.

      For start and park teams, the concept is, somebody is going to finish in the rear and collect the money. It might as well be us. That is a far cry from having the capability to run in the top half or quarter of the field and throwing out a metaphorical anchor to help a teammate.

      You're right to notice the similarities, but don't overlook the significant difference.

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    5. Under the assumption that Bowyer didn't spin on purpose, diving into the pits for Vickers was specifically done to hinder Gordon, which isn't sportsmanlike. Had he let a few cars by on the restart, there would be no problem
      This does beg the question of why NASCAR didn't penalize Jim Smith in 2003 when he ran like 10 trucks at Homestead to hinder Gaughan Kvapil and Setzer in the championship.

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    6. My thoughts also, NASCAR goes to great measures to protect the product with the rules they have in place, but they have no firm control of the final twelve that get in the chase. To ask that the boys play fair with so much on the line is just asking to much.

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  4. Anonymous3:57 PM

    Well said Dave. What a mess and it feels like things are going to get messier.

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  5. Bravo Bravo Bravo GREAT Article. I have a feeling the bubble will Burst before the start of the Weekend .Did NAPA just sign on the 31 of Aug not good Timing at all.

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  6. While I hope the sponsors find teams of character in the sport, it will not break my heart to see MWR go away. Since his Sterno Fuel debut, to his theft of Roush chassis components, to his apparent mistreatment of David Reutimann, and now his tampering of the integrity of NASCAR Sprint Cup I feel he brings far more detriment to the sport than any benefit his three teams do. There are several teams of honorable men like Tommy Baldwin Racing, Nemco Motorsports, the now sold Phoenix Racing that could have used that sponsorship to put in an honorable attempt.


    Everyone involved with him and his team from NAPA to Fox Sports 1 should now realize associating with him lowers their credibility and respectability to a very large portion of the fan base, and more importantly to non-fans that just know he was caught cheating but see their failed excuses and explanations in a Nixon like parody of "I'm not a Crook".

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  7. Anonymous4:06 PM

    What is all the big deal??? Mike W. has a company to run, his job is to sell and get sponsers. He looked at the system he was to play in, and saw that he could get two cars in the chase. If he was to start and park one of his cars ? He did what he is expected to do. This sport is not any different than all the others, you look at what you have to do and do it. If any of the other owners were in the same place they would do what they would have to get in also. The "H" group could not get the gordan car in but they did get the newman car in. The whole race was about what needed to be done to get those cars on the fence in the chase. Mike is smarter than the average, sometimes.
    Mike W. some advise: Make your plans private, don't let the whole world know your business.

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    1. You point out that his job is to sell and get sponsor, asking what's the big deal, as if you didn't read the part of the article stating that he has compromised his relationship with his sponsors.

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    2. Anonymous9:25 AM

      Did He ??? At the end of the day, everyone is talking about how good the sponsors are for the sport. Everyone has talked about how long NAPA has been in the sport, how 5 Hour car spun, over ande over. How much moore can Every one talk about or mention their Names? Yes Mike got the pictures of his cars on every channel on TV, ;not just once but !!! well what else can a sponsor ask for? The sponsers are getting their money's worth out of Mike, and they know it.

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  8. I feel kinda bad for Clint. Yes, he did the deed. But he's a worker-bee. Dave, you say (I think it was you) that a driver is the only member of the team who can influence and possibly change, a bad decision. But ultimately, when TOLD what to do,he's an employee and if he wants to keep his job, he does what the boss says. Yes, I do think he should have been strong enough to ignore that order. So I suppose I give him partial blame. BUT, Michael absolutely threw Ty Norris under bus without a qualm. Michael ..... well, I won't go there. Let's just say he's not my fave right now ... actually he hasn't been for a number of years. I hope Ty finds his way back ... maybe not to MWR. And I think MWR should have been, and maybe will be, punished more.

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  9. Ever since the jet fuel episode, MW has fallen off my radar as one of the good guys. I was willing to right him off as the consummate NASCAR and sponsor shill, but a string of personal life gaffes and his mishandling of his team as of late makes me no longer able to appreciate him as a good guy any more. Bowyer is in a tough spot, but his stories are full of holes, he knows it and he squirms in the spotlight. I give him more of a pass on this than MW, but I expected more of Bowyer. He has been tainted by MWR.

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  10. What if Napa or 5 hour decide to leave the sport? And could that be the beginning.... In some sense of "fairness" NASCAR docked points and dropped a big fine on MWR, but by not dropping the hammer on the 15 and the 55 and MWR, they may have made it even more difficult for sponsors to com up with $25M a year for some paint (or wrap) on a fast car. The statement they needed to send is the same statement the NCAA sends when they catch someone cheating. You cheat, we take away your victories and prevent you from getting near the big prize for a few years. I never in a million years thought I would use the NCAA as an example of doing something right, but they are fanatical about protecting their brand, and NASCAR kinda missed the opportunity to demonstrate that same attitude to the sponsors that make it all work.

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  11. Anonymous4:37 PM

    Time for NAPA and 5 Hour to get out of this bad publicity.
    Fuel additive, found track bar, and now point shaving. I
    hope Fox realizes Mikey has no integrity with the fans.

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  12. Anonymous4:38 PM

    NASCAR failed to drop the hammer on all parties involved. Bowyer should not have any chance whatsoever of making a run at the championship. He showed his true colors and now the integrity of the sport is in trouble. Even the newest of fans could see what happened and that's what they will remember. I Love NASCAR. The actions of a few people have just altered the amount of viewers for some time to vome.

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  13. Anonymous4:41 PM

    Dave good job!! For Nascar to move further they need to take Boyer out of the chase. This issue may set Nascar back years with coroporate America and needs to be treated harshly to send a message to all teams/fans/potential sponsors. We all care about this sport but this has left a bad taste because there really hasn't been much remorse by MWR. After all clint is still in the chase. It worries me that their sponsors are feeling the hat because they may decide not only to leave MWR but the sport itself.

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  14. Anonymous5:28 PM

    MWR could win 10 to 20 times the $300,000 they were fined if Clint does well in the chase. No where near enough penalty was issued. 450 points and 1 million dollar fine is a good start for a penalty.

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    1. Anonymous12:46 PM

      They won $337,663.00 Sat night so even after the fine they still came away with $ in their winnings account.

      Delete
  15. A couple of thoughts:

    1) In penalizing MWR, NASCAR has gone and exactly what Dave has claimed they shouldn't be doing; namely judging intent. Let's flash back to win JGR was penalized after a win for a couple of light connecting rods.

    NASCAR can't judge intent in that case, but can at Richmond?

    Bull.

    It is simply another case of NASCAR inconsistency.

    2) Nobody should be surprise that D.W.'s little brother isn't willing to step up and wear the hat of responsibility, that is something he proved he wasn't willing to do after his car accident a couple years ago.

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  16. Anonymous6:34 PM

    Gordon was robbed of the Chase, yes, but Bowyer was robbed of a Championship by Gordon last year when Jeff wrecked him at Phoenix. It's commonly said that drivers never forget, but that hasn't been mentioned in all of this mess.

    It certainly is a mess, and the report of a Penske/FRM deal to get Logano into the Chase is making a bad Chase situation worse.

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    1. No one thinks Bowyer's actions had anything to do with Gordon. ALL the evidence shows that everything that went down was about getting Truex in the Chase. That it would harm Gordon and help Logano to do so is coincidental.

      Knowing that Gordon is more than willing to exact a payback that would ruin his Championship hopes (as he did last year), do you think Bowyer is foolish enough to target Gordon in such as way, entering another run at the Championship?

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    2. Gordon was robbed of the chase by Logano. His main priority was trying to take p10 away from Logano. He didn't, so Gordon shouldn't be in the Chase. The end.

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    3. Anonymous7:04 AM

      Bowyer was a long shot at best when he had his run in with Gordon. Mathematically still in the hunt but realistically out of it.
      Lame argument.

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    4. Anonymous2:20 PM

      actually it's been talked about many times, and when it is everyone remembers that was actually retaliation on Jeff's part for Clint repeatedly taking him and other H drivers out throughout the year. See Martinsville for an example.

      Delete
    5. Also if you trace the paybacks there were 3 incident between Bowyer and Gordon earlier in 2012 that prompted the last, but not the only incident, between them at Phoenix.

      Stop trying to make this about a payback in an effort to justify it. There is no justification for this and it was planned in advance of the green flag. I am sure based on the radio traffic that keywords and cryptic signals were discussed in advance at MWR. There was a bonus from NAPA to get Truex in the chase, that along with getting caught and crucified brought shame to NAPA. Though I believe NAPA is more upset that MWR tried to manipulate to get that bonus money and got caught then they are about the points ramifications.

      Delete
  17. Anonymous8:09 PM

    All of this, with the exception of a deliberate spin by Bowyer, which NASCAR says evidence does not support, has gone on for years. One of the most respected drivers has, for years, gone to the tail end of the shortest line when sent to the tail end of the longest line (not such a big deal anymore). Competitors regularly lay over for the lucky dog if he is a good guy. And one of the "good guys" mentioned above has pulled a driver to give another of his drivers a better finish. FWIW, it behooves a driver with a slower car to let the faster car by as quickly as possible as opposed to using up his tires blocking, etc. And, as I remember, Brendan Gaughan lost a truck championship when Jim Smith entered a gaggle of cars and one of them took Brendan out. Anyone who regularly listens to driver/crew chief/spotter radio knows this is common.

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  18. But how competitive is it to "let" someone lead a lap etc? Is that in the spirit of competition? Why is it ok to do this for 25 races but not the 26th? I feel any team in that close of a position would try to something similar.

    I have to put a lot of the blame on Nascar. Instead of telling drivers that there is to be "no funny business," how about making a rule that states that.

    "Any action, not in the spirit of competition, that occurs in order to assist a teammate, an affiliated team or manufacturer will result in the following sanction: Team and driver committing such action and all who benefit from such action, to include Chase drivers, will be banned from competition for the remainder of the year."

    Had any such rule been in place we would not be in this situation.

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  19. as usual Michael is throwing his hands up and blaming the minions. It's never his fault

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  20. Nancy Kastle8:44 PM

    Thanks, Dave. That is pretty much how I feel about it. MW didn't seem to "get" that he did anything wrong. I'm pretty sure Clint doesn't "get" that he did anything wrong. I can't help but wonder what would have happened if Mark Martin would have had a discussion with his crew chief about pitting for no reason. Maybe I need to just put on my big girl panties and realize this is how it is. I want to stay with NASCAR, but I'm just really sad right now.

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  21. Anonymous9:39 PM

    One additional mistake that MWR is making...not firing Ty Norris. By not doing that, IMO, it was one of many management decisions that were previously discussed.

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  22. Todd W9:40 PM

    And this article is another reason your the GODFATHER! 100% agree.

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  23. Anonymous12:49 AM

    Dave, how can you say that Clint spun on purpose when NASCAR said there is no proof that he did. I saw the in-car video, and it looked to me he was steering right, into the spin. It should be easy to prove whether or not he has poison oak. Just look at his arm. I think you are doing him a dis-service.

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  24. Anonymous12:58 AM

    Dear Dave I have tried to call your show but can't get in so decided to wright this to you. My girlfriend cousin is married to someone who was very involed in the IRL league and he told me at. our reunion this summer that nascaar ususualy knows who is gonna win before race even starts and that's why they call those compettition cautions and I said your just saying that because you like IRL and you ate just loyal to the league but after this last weeken I believe him. The while reason nadcaar is doing something is they got caught by thre fans due the radio and people like yourself who report the sport. years ago they didn't let the fan listen to the teams like today and that burned them and nascar had to do something to protect there image as very sad. I'm just a guy from North Dakota and your go.na read this and snub me off and say what do I know but I do know as my info is coming from a guy in IRL that worked with Tony Stewart when he does his IRL driving. this also has boosted the ratings and taking away from so called football. Hope you read this and let me hear your comment.

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  25. Anonymous3:14 AM

    Mr Moody, Your article was just a synopsis of what everyone else has written. Do yo have your own opinion? What do you feel should be done? Because it's obvious NASCAR didnt do right here. Go ahead. Maake your opinion known. DOn't sugarcoat it. No NASCARspeak. NASCAR is detrimental to NASCAR. DOn't worry, they wont sanction you. YOu'll still get a paycheck.

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  26. Anonymous7:08 AM

    I have not yet seen anyone address this -- What if Bowyer now wins the championship ? There are going to be a LOT of unhappy people.

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  27. Anonymous7:33 AM

    There is a code of conduct and policing among the drivers on the track that will take over in the last 10 races. Clint will be driven so hard by his competitors that my prediction is he will finish dead last in the Chase.

    In some Chase races I've seen drivers part like the red sea when a Chase contender is in the rear view mirror "not wanting to be the one to impact a Chaser's opportunity at the Championship." I'll be looking forward to the 'Boy's having at it!'

    Secondly, here's an idea to consider on how to police this: black out the telemetry the last 25 laps of the race.

    Dave, great piece and love your show. Listen everyday!

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  28. Anonymous7:53 AM

    Jeff G and Truex Jr. Both had 26 races to make the chase and they fell short.

    They are both where they belong on the outside looking in.
    That said I am a fan of Jeff since Thursday Night Thunder Days and am going to miss him in The Chase.His days of competing for a championship are behind him and his combo with Alan G is not working.Certainly not the fault of either its just that the chemistry isn't there.Alan has been successful with other drivers and deserves a chance to work with someone who is more compatible with his skills.
    As a retirement bonus Rick H should give Jeff full ownership of the 48 Team

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  29. Anonymous8:02 AM

    This whole mess happened basically because of the ridiculous 'chase' business. With the majority of the field being ignored for the final 10 races, it makes 'cheating' to get in almost mandatory. Also, if Nascar had made the limits on the number of cars on a team realistic (2 cars, no 'satellites'), this might not have happened. They are now reaping what they sowed with a phony playoff.

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  30. Anonymous8:34 AM

    One of the things people need to realize is this kind of 'manipulation' has gone on in NASCAR, F1, Indy Car and all other forms of professional sports forever. It is NOT new. This episode just happened to be one of the more noticable, mostly because of its ham-handed execution by the not-so-bright MWR. In team sports, and make no mistake, NASCAR racing is a team sport, you help the TEAM. There are examples from every Richmond race every year since the Chase started and before that. Lighten up, folks. This is not the end of racing as we know it.

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  31. Anonymous8:43 AM

    Ask the RenaultF1 team about intentional spins and find Flavio Briatore on race day now. Of course Nelson Piquet jr. did not spill the beans until he lost his job, but none the less, big heads rolled. My biggest concern is the person who did the spin and did not stand up for what was right. Tough place to be at the time and would not want to be in Clint's place, but that is why they are paid the big $$$. The 55 pitting and any other stuff is pure strategy that goes on every race. Ryan and Jeff had their outcome altered by an unsportsmanlike move which can never be righted. It is not against the rules for pitting, it is for intentional spinning, although that can not be confirmed at this point. Poor leadership of MW for throwing Ty down. Ty should have come clean on that first if it was the truth. If true, then Ty and Flavio should be lunching together on Race day.

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  32. Anonymous8:51 AM

    By the way, NASCAR absolutely LOVES this attention.

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  33. Anonymous8:57 AM

    Everyone needs to quit overthinking this. NASCAR has said time and time again that the penalry has nothing to do with Boyer's spin. There is no conclusinve evidence that he did it on purpose. The fact surrounding Boyer are as follows: 1. He was considerably faster earlier in the race, even leading for a while. 2. It appeared the handle went away as he was falling back in the field (even JR was catching him). 3. He spun and when he righted the car the RF tire was completely down on the rim. What we don't know is if the spin flattened it or if it was going down before. THE PENALTY IS IN NO WAY BASED ON BOYER"S SPIN. The Penalty was based on Ty Norris calling Vickers in to the pits. How is this different from Jimmie J and Jeff G being 1-2 on the field and then swapping the lead back and forth to give each one a lap leader point...IT'S NOT, it is still a point. When that happens all you hear is the announcers and teams saying "That could be a big point at the end of the year," so the only difference is that they gained the "manipulated point" earlier in the season and it seams to be forgotten. I hope that next year, starting in Daytona, that NASCAR and the "fans" scream and whine when the Hendrick/Childress/Gibbs teams play the old lap leader point tango, because they are technically manipulating the outcome of the championship.

    Finally, what are we also learning today?????? PENSKE did the same thing with the 38 car and Lagano. He (or his henchmen) had the 38 fall back to advance Lagano one spot to get in the chase. Lap times fell off OVER A SECOND on the 38 from before and after the request by PENSKE. When is the lynchmob heading over to Penske-South?

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  34. The big problem in all this mess is the lying and nascar letting them get away with it. A liar is a liar. How can Nascar let a liar compete in a sport where at any time one of the race car drivers could be killed?

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  35. Anonymous9:15 AM

    I've been a fan of MWR racing for about three years now and I'm not happy with what has taken place. I do not blame the drivers themselves but the leadership at MWR for having done this. I know a certain amount of cheating goes on in NASCAR from time to time. Heck, didn't Dale Sr. get killed trying to wreck (okay, block is a more acceptable term), another driver to allow a team mate to win? There are many other instances that long time fans could say as well. I am glad NASCAR took action.

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  36. Anonymous9:50 AM

    Well said, Dave. Question: How much of this would have gone unnoticed if MWR had just SHUT THE HELL up on the radio? 80,000 people sitting around in the stands with scanners strapped to their earballs and Gawd knows how many people listening to in car audio feeds at home, somebody's bound to go, "Hey...wait a second..." One point, as to integrity...how many people were sentenced to die following WWII whose only defense was "Just following orders."?
    On a lighter note, truly enjoyed listening to you guys on the channel when you guys went to break. My daughter and I appreciated your impassioned defense of YooHoo.
    One more thing. Was in the NASA "Children's Fair" on the Midway prior to the race. Sliced Bread came in and read Berenstain Bears books to the kids, then hung around, surrounded by the kids (and the adults) for a long time afterwards, making friends across the board for NASCAR. That Joey took the time to not just make a public appearance as scheduled but then took time out of what I'm sure was a pretty busy afternoon before a race vital to his Chase hopes shows just what a great guy his is and what makes our sport so much more special than the "stick and ball' sports.
    Tom from Long Island.

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  37. I can see Mikey's point to a certain extent. However, there's a huge difference in letting a car go around for a lead lap point, and intentionally spinning you car to let a fellow drive get in the Chase, IMHO.

    But now this Penske/FRM deal. Gilly letting Joey pass for a lead lap point during a regular race would be a common, accepted practice.

    But if they finish in the same position as they were in prior to that, is that "manipulating the outcome of the race"?

    If there's a difference, it's that the outcome at Richmond is that Joey finished 22 instead of 23rd.

    If the 2 of them were 1,2 and did the position swap for a lead lap point and Joey finished 23rd, and Gilly 22 would there be a difference, either technically or morally (not the right word I know.)

    So the question to me does NASCAR consider "manipulating the outcome of the race" to be points earned, finishing order, or both?

    Quite the Pandoras box they've gotten themselves into.

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  38. Anonymous11:29 AM

    MWR has a history of doing THINGS and usually get almost away with it.

    The fine was a joke , MWR still took home $37,000.00 of their $337,000.00 PRIZE $ after the race.

    Mikey has ISSUES is an understatement and NASCAR needs to out a rule in place that if you have any ownership in any NASCAR team you do not get to be an ANNOUNCER on any of the broadcasts PERIOD.

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    1. Anonymous10:38 AM

      You sound like you think all the other teams are clean . Better look again!!!!!

      Delete
  39. Anonymous11:35 AM

    Dodge Boy from Canada has one comment for Mikey:

    Boogity, Boogity, Boogity.

    Sorry, that's 3 comments

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    1. Anonymous4:20 PM

      BOWYER BOWYER BOWYER Lets go MANIPULATE THE OUTCOME of the RACE BOYZ

      Delete
  40. Anonymous11:51 AM

    The only way for Nascar to get anying credibility out of this mess is to put Gordon in the Chase and take Bowyer out. It's clear Bowyer is guilty or else why would he call Neuman and apoligize? You don't apoligize when you wreck yourself because you just lost the car or something similar. And, like has been said, the penalties that Nascar issued is meaningless. If the penalty doesn't affect his standing or position in the chase how in the world can you call it a penalty? Nascar's Credibility is on the line and while I'm no fan of Gordon he and Ryan got the shaft because Gordon is out of the chase and even though Ryan was put back in the chase he still lost the race he should have won. Again, Nascar, you better rethink some of this stuff because you haven't got it fixed yet.

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  41. Anonymous12:16 PM

    I just listened to the audio of the Gilleland/FRR audio on
    NASCAR. com. The didn't put the damning part of the conversation on. Guess they don't think the fans will get it from another source.

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  42. Anonymous12:25 PM

    I think it's taken some time, but it appears as though a good percentage of fans are seeing the Waltrips for what they are. In short, very bad for NASCAR. Post above, William at 4:03 pm said it all.

    FOX has to at least take them both off the air and as for sponsors, that will probably take care of itself. No reputable company wants to be associated with someone with no integrity. The fact that MW has never once apologized for his blunders has always bothered me.
    Simple= I apologize to Roush for stealing the sway bar. It won't happen again! What's so hard about that?

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  43. It is very easy to see that fans are basing their opinions/comments on whom their favorite driver is and not the acts/facts. The justification of what occurred is pointless, participants have been banned from other sports for this type of conduct. I do not think all this mess is over and I am certain their will be sponsorship ramifications as well.

    I really laugh and then feel a little shame for the comments left as anonymous like the 1 above trying to justify the MWR/15 misconduct because of last years 24/15 incident. Just like the Driver and Owner refusing to own their actions we have people commenting support for MWR but refusing to own their comments. They know they are wrong yet still have that sense of loyalty to known cheaters, where are all those 48 fans that take a beating every time there is an issue with the 48 car.
    Is this any different?

    Any one that thinks what happened Saturday night is ok is not a fan of competition at the track. Funny David Hyder was the last fall guy for Mikey and now he has Ty Norris.

    We have a team that has a less then glorious record of some fairly serious rules infractions and blatant misconduct. We Drivers and an Owner that refuse to admit any wrong doing and the world knows it was done. We have sponsors that are upset with the negative brand exposure they have gotten from this. We have a sanctioning body that would probably like to do more but does not want to drive current sponsors away but does not want to discourage new sponsors from coming in.

    There is so much going on. No matter how you spin the story MWR has shamed itself, it's drivers, teams, and owner, the sport, and NASCAR. I am sure Mark Martin is happy he was in the 14 car and not a party to this mess.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Anonymous1:37 PM

    Forget the divorce, the "fell asleep at the wheel" accident and all of that. Here's all you need to know about Mikey: He said he stands by his people while at the same time throwing Norris under the bus and leaving Bowyer out there to twist in the wind.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7:33 PM

      This is the hardest part to accept for me as a MWR fan. I'm the one with the merchandise, shirts, hats and the one that proudly wears the MWR logo. If the organization is ready to dismiss the actions of Ty and then DEFEND the actions of the Team as in "If I were Ty I'd do the same thing...but I accept the indefinite suspension of Ty" then where does MWR stand????

      How do I express my allegiance to this organization who seems to be scrambling in all directions on how to express allegiance to each other???

      As a Fan...Deeply disappointed!

      Delete
  45. Anonymous4:08 PM

    After sitting through all the media stuff, I'm more angry with MWR and Clint Bowyer for no admitting what they did than the fact they did it in the first place. Sure, Bowyer could lose his place in the chase if they did, but wouldn't it be better for the team and Bowyer in the first place?

    Wouldn't it be refreshing and wouldn't it make you feel better about MWR and Bowyer if Waltrip held a press conference tomorrow and admitted it was pre-arranged, took the heat from Clint and Norris, and took the heat for this? It is what true leaders do.

    And it is exactly the reason why Michael Waltrip will not do it.

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  46. Anonymous5:30 PM

    Was just wondering how things would have went if Mark Martin was driving the 55. Would he have pitted? Would they have even asked him to pit. Good points to ponder.................

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  47. Anonymous7:38 PM

    MWR should be punished for their obvious, clumsy attempt to make it all look natural.

    But not crucified. Let's not forget that beloved Junior did this too in the not too distant past.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:53 PM

      He admitted to it though. Clint hasn't yet

      Delete
  48. Anonymous8:49 PM

    This is easy. Simply take the radios out of the cars. I mean they ran from 1900 to 1970 without them . "No Fault Waltrip " would probably find away to cheat anyway.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Anonymous9:33 PM

    Boyer had the chance not to dump himself, so I don't get the pity party for ol' Clint. What would have happened if he didn't? He brought the Sponsorship and is clearly the flagship driver for MWR and if he hadn't dumped himself, he would be the sole MWR car in the chase. He is the rock star at MWR with or without the spin, so to say "he just following orders...", please, that's just trying to create an out for the drivers. If Nascar had just hit Boyer with a 20 pt penalty and left it at that, we wouldn't be going through all these other scenarios with people pitting and such, which isn't as troubling as phantom spins..

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  50. Anonymous11:14 PM

    Boyer is hardly a puppet when he brought his own sponsor to the 15 car. He choose to spin the car, it's too easy to use the "just one of the soldiers following orders". I think it does a little disrespect to our guys/gals wearing the uniform and some coming home in body bags or without legs or arms. Clint made the choice and now look at the mess. Frankly all the otherstuff is somewhat okay for years..

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  51. Anonymous1:09 AM

    I Don't have a problem with the 55 pitting .he gave up his spot.but what the 15 did changed the outcome.huge difference. Clint could not just pull down pit road and help truex, he had to do something that hurt newman and helped truex. If they are going to continue to cheat they should just come up with a code word that means drive it into the wall. It at least would look believable

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  52. Friday morning,was going to watch truck practice but Waltrip is doing commentary. Can't stand even hearing his voice anymore. So much for watching Fox1 today! Thanks MWR for ruining what was going to be one of the best chase last chance races! By the way folks, Monster energy drinks are just as good as 5 hour!!

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  53. Anonymous5:16 PM

    I agree that Michael working as a commentator is a HUGE conflict of interest. Fox should put him away like they did a few years back with drunken what's him name who was raving like a lunatic in the hotel lobby.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Anonymous5:20 PM

    Bill Weber was his name. Read about it. Still not as bad as Michael rolling his truck and WALKING home or even the time he hit a motorcyclist and his BAC was up there but not over the limit. The boy needs help.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Anonymous5:25 PM

    Just get Ralph Sheheen to do Michaels job. He's more likeable and understandable.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Anonymous10:03 PM

    Too bad Bowyer doesn't like being asked about his spin. He could do NASCAR, the Chase, and NASCAR fans a favor by admitting the spin was on purpose. I am SO tired of these guys at MWR insulting my intelligence. Bowyer has already been caught in a lie. 1st interview after the race he said he had a tire going down,yada,yada. In another interview (audio played on Morning Drive) he said a tire was going down, had a lot of wheel cranked in it, and then Junior got into him. WRONG!! Admit it Clint, and after a day of everyone commenting about it we can move on. Keep lying, and this will carry on through the Chase!

    ReplyDelete