Monday, February 17, 2014

COMMENTARY: The Sad, Strange Life Of The NASCAR Conspiracy Theorist

What a sad, strange existence these NASCAR conspiracy theorists lead.

No sooner had Austin Dillon captured the pole for Sunday’s Daytona 500 than the Black Helicopter pilots began to circulate. Rather than allowing Dillon and his Richard Childress Racing teammates to bask in the glow of their much-deserved accomplishment, a small but determined band of cuckoo birds chose to shed their aluminum-foil hats long enough to declare the accomplishment too good to be true.

Dillon, of course, is the driver chosen by team owner Richard Childress to return RCR’s legendary No. 3 Chevrolet to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 13 years after it was last driven by the late-great Dale Earnhardt. The return of the No. 3 to Daytona has understandably generated a good deal of attention. Unfortunately, it has also provided the Zombie Apocalypse cult members with a reason to fabricate their latest NASCAR fairy tale.

While facts are generally unwelcome in a discussion of this sort, we’ll attempt to interject a few, just for the fun of it.

FACT: Dillon is not your run-of-the-mill rookie. He is the 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion and claimed the NASCAR Nationwide Series title a year ago. He is also a former Rookie of the Year on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (2008), Camping World Truck Series (2010) and Nationwide Series (2012). After claiming the pole Sunday, Dillon jumped into a DIRTcar UMP Modified at Volusia Speedway Park in Barnerville, Fla. and won the feature there. Bottom line? The kid’s got talent.

FACT: Dillon is not the first rookie to win a Daytona 500 pole. In fact, he is the second freshman campaigner to grab the top spot in as many years. He joins Loy Allen Jr. (1994), Mike Skinner (1997), Jimmie Johnson (2002) and Danica Patrick (2013) as rookie Daytona 500 pole winners.

FACT: Most of the Sasquatch spotters touting a Dillon/NASCAR conspiracy said the exact same thing a year ago about Patrick.

FACT: Dillon had plenty of familiar company at the front of the pack yesterday. He and his RCR teammates captured three of the Top-10 spots in qualifying Sunday, with Ryan Newman fifth and Paul Menard 10th.

FACT: Outside pole sitter Martin Truex, Jr., was among the fastest drivers in Daytona 500 practice, despite not taking part in preseason testing and logging only two laps on the 2-5-mile superspeedway prior to qualifying. Truex drives for Furniture Row racing, which utilizes chassis from RCR and engines from Earnhardt-Childress Racing engines.

FACT: Dillon, Newman, Menard and Truex were all at (or near) the top of the charts in practice all this week. Anyone surprised by their performance Sunday was clearly not paying attention.

If they take time off from their unwanted alien orifice probes and do a little independent thinking, the conspiracy buffs may realize that a scam of this type would be impossible to keep secret. In order for Dillon (or any other driver) to be handed an illicit Daytona 500 pole, every other team in the garage would need to be in on the plan. And without a lifelong vow of silence by every driver, crew chief, team member and NASCAR official in the sport, such a secret could never be kept.

As Michael Waltrip can surely attest, it’s impossible to keep a secret in NASCAR, even for a moment.

Rick Hendrick, Joe Gibbs, Jack Roush and Roger Penske would never lie down for RCR in this manner; not for all the money in the world. And even if they did, it would only be a matter of time until they demanded their own clandestine piece of the pie.

Once that particular Pandora’s Box is opened, the sport is as good as dead. Brian France knows it, Mike Helton knows it and you know it too.

It’s a ludicrous, loony and unfair assertion, fatally flawed in premise and lacking in both motive and opportunity. So while the conspiracy buffs convene on their Grassy Knoll amid allegations of impropriety, skullduggery and intrigue, the rest of – the thinking majority – will count the minutes until they’re back on track once again at the World Center Of Racing.



83 comments:

  1. Anonymous1:48 PM

    Did they say the same about six-time when he put it on the pole his rookie year?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No, perhaps because he was fairly unheralded in the sport at that time.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous4:26 PM

      Amen Dave Amen!

      Delete
    3. I think a lot of this is just rabble rousing, I have to think that a lot of them don't really believe it.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous1:56 PM

    Number one, if it was a conspiracy the #88 car would have been on the outside pole, number two Dale Jr. would be winning races and championships and number three, ah heck, I'm all out of points, but you get the idea. Leave the aluminum foil on the grille people, your brats are burning without it!

    ReplyDelete
  3. FACT: 1st Amendment. Why can't people express their opinion's? Just because it doesn't coincide what #NASCAR and those that cover the sport like it's our opinions. FACT: 2001 July Daytona Dale Jr is the only that car that needed zero help to pass cars. To think events in history (all aspects of life) have not been manipulated is naive. I know this post is in vein because it won't be posted because it's not the "popular" view.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wrong AGAIN Jake! You're on a roll!

      You are always welcome to express your opinion here. And since it's my blog, so am I!! Doesn't that work out well?

      Delete
    2. It is also probably in vain to point out "in vein" is incorrect. Unless he meant "intravenous" ....

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:21 PM

      1st amendment : The First Amendment (Amendment I) to the United States Constitution prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances. It is very strictly interpreted as public speech protesting government policies.


      If Moody wanted to he could delete your rambling comment because freedom of speech doesn't apply.

      Delete
    4. Michael in SoCal11:09 AM

      Thank you to our Anonymous defender of the Constitution. At least he (or she) knows the Constitution protects you from government persecution for your speech (and assembly), to a certain extent.

      Delete
  4. I thought : "Most of the Sasquatch spotters touting a Dillon/NASCAR conspiracy said the exact same thing a year ago about Patrick." was your best line ....

    Then "If they take some much-needed time off from their unwanted alien orifice probes and do a little independent thinking, the conspiracy buffs may realize that a scam of this type would be impossible to keep secret" ....man you still got it Dave !!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous2:07 PM

    The funnies thing is how people actually think Brian France or anyone else in Daytona is smart enough to actually pull off a conspiracy

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous2:09 PM

    Totally agree with almost all of what you've said Dave. I in no way believe there is any sort of conspiracy here. But, I do disagree with your assertion that it would be "impossible" to keep something like this secret. NASCAR could, theoretically, give one driver an ever-so-slightly larger restrictor plate without very many people having to know anything. Heck, even the driver who was given the advantage wouldn't have to know. Again, I do not believe there is any conspiracy here whatsoever, but you have to admit that it would be possible for NASCAR to do this if they decided to.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chip Carlson3:22 PM

      I totally agree with this assessment of giving one guy just a hair bigger restricter plate. And why not...Moody this morning you gave the perfect reason why NASCAR could have done this and why they did, when you made the statement that the staring position at the Daytona 500 doens't mean anything...Nascar can get free all week long publicity and not affect a thing... Starting on the pole doesn't affect the outcome of this race, yet having the 3 on the Pole creates much needs FREE ADVERTISING for a sport that is suffereing.. Coincidence that the 3 is on the pole this year and Danica was on the pole last year???? I think not.. The biggest possible sotry this year leading up to the 500 would be the 3 on the pole, just like last years biggest story was Danica on the pole... Think NASCAR would get this much publicity if Harvick, Stewart, jr, Gordon or anyone else was on the pole. I think not. Nascar is doing this to generate publicity and not affecting the race finish, I am Convinced.... Any why not..doesn't affect the race just as you said this morning....

      Delete
    2. Hey anonymous. ..if you know anything about nascar, they couldn't give one team one particular restrictor plate because all plates are put in one container randomly and the teams pull a single plate out one by one ...there is no label saying which team!

      Delete
  7. HA, we can agree to disagree and I'm cool w/that. I had to throw in that last line hoping I'd get posted. Thanks and enjoy Daytona & despite our disagreement it doesn't take away I'm a big fan of yours and MRN.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous2:25 PM

    I can only speak for myself, not for anyone else, but if I feel that the 3 car had "help", that doesn't mean anything was guaranteed. No one other than NASCAR has to be "in on it". Sure, the team could have messed things up by putting too much tape on it and overheating, or Austin could have taken a odd line and scrubbed off speed, and then Truex or someone else is on the pole. I just feel like NASCAR gave them a litle help to make it just a little bit easier.

    And yes, I felt the same way last year when Danica won the pole. Two years running now, NASCAR gets the storyline they most want to kick off their season, when they are trying to get casual fans to take an interest.

    And before you trot out that old chestnut, "Well if NASCAR was fixing races, Dale Jr. would be an 8 time champion!", that's like saying that if I speed on my way home from work that I must also be robbing banks. Just because I think NASCAR helped the 3 car (either directly or through turning a blind eye to what the team was running), doesn't mean I believe they're fixing races. You are correct when you say that too many people would have to be silent for any one car to be guaranteed a race win. But could there be a car in the field running outside the rules with NASCAR's knowledge? Absolutely.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have to agree. It would only take allowing the rear spoiler to be 1/16" lower than anyone else to get the pole in a good car. (Can be done many ways) Only a couple people would know that. I thought the exact same thing last year with Danica. Way too many "spectacular" moments for it to be not fixed.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous4:22 PM

      Doesn't NASCAR hand out the the plates to each team ??? Why don't they just throw all of them in a box and let them pick ?? just sayin

      Delete
    3. Anonymous5:34 AM

      last year in qualifying tony stewert and i believe ryan newman both had faster first laps then danica but mysteriously they only ran that one lap and pulled off the track, hmmmm i wonder why, because it put money in tonys and nascars pocket. ive been looking for the 2 lap times for this year to see if it happen again but them times seem impossible to find, hmmmm maybe the same thing

      Delete
    4. Skeptic, tech inspections are done out in the open, in the presence of fans, media and other teams. If you had been to the track, you would know that. How would a smaller rear spoiler go undetected?

      Anonymous 4:22, NASCAR does hand out the restrictor plates, but only after the crewchief selects a random number out of a hat to decide which plate he gets. And again, this is all done in front of fans, media and other teams.

      Delete
    5. Look at the qualifying times. 42 other cars within a second of Austin's time. The difference between 1st and 2nd was 39 thousandths of a second. Where is this so called advantage?

      Delete
    6. Anonymous5:14 PM

      "last year in qualifying tony stewert and i believe ryan newman both had faster first laps then danica but mysteriously they only ran that one lap and pulled off the track, hmmmm i wonder why, because it put money in tonys and nascars pocket. ive been looking for the 2 lap times for this year to see if it happen again but them times seem impossible to find, hmmmm maybe the same thing"

      At Daytona you only run 1 qualifying lap, the 1st lap is to build up speed because it takes that long with a restrictor plate to get there. I used to be you had the option to run a 2nd lap but few drivers ever did unless they really screwed up the 1st one because the car had so much tape on it the engine would overheat. Didn't you see all the cars that were spitting water out before completing only 1 lap?

      Delete
    7. Did you watch qualifying Sunday? They run two laps at Daytona just like any other track. The first lap definitely counts, but it's always trumped by the second lap. BUT how good lap one is is a good indicator of how good lap two will be, so if Tony's first lap was better than Danica's first lap, his second lap probably would've been faster than her second lap. So if there was something fishy going on, Tony saw he was probably gonna beat her if he ran another lap, so he decided just to go with his first lap.

      Delete
  9. Good grief...lord help us if he wins on sunday!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Phillip2:40 PM

    You can't just turn it off with an article blasting people. Unfortunately, NASCAR has a past track record of BS, back well before my time. It is up to them to be consistent with penalties, rules, car templates, and so on in order for that perception to wane. I doubt if you asked Dan/Ernie Elliott in 1985 how they felt when engines and car pieces were returned in a box after every race they won and about several of the rule changes enacted then, during that season to slow them down, if NASCAR was totally on the up and up. I doubt if you ask Carl Long, who was fined $200K for .17 cubic engines over the limit and basically ended his career if NASCAR really is always on the up and up, when drivers in their past like Petty ran with an engine 23 cubic engines over and still kept their win in the history books. Every year the page turns, but when it seems that they are reverting back into that, fans are indeed loyal and while they may have forgiven in the past, they certainly don't forget it. The only thing that makes that totally go away is to run a clean, tight ship, with zero conflicts of interest and consistent rules and penalties. It's hard to do that when the "World Center of Racing", which is owned by the same folks that set the rules, has just announced a brand new Toyota sponsorship coming to the new Daytona Rising project. Whether there's a conflict of interest there with Toyota or not is debatable, just like its debatable that some teams get more lenient inspections than others. All of that goes with the territory. It's not conspiratorial, it's just common sense.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Even if those are exactly as you describe, each of those things is quite different than timing and scoring. Manipulating outcomes of timing in scoring would require advance knowledge. It falls into the same category as thinking NASCAR can rig the winners of races for 60 years while believing not one person impacted or involved would have ever spoken out

      Delete
    2. Phillip3:41 PM

      Listen, I'm not saying that this happened in this case. I don't know of anyone who would logically think that NASCAR could completely dictate the results of a 500 mile race, nor that the 3 car could be completely dictated to win the pole. But, hypothetically, if RCR as a team were given a larger hole in the plate, by even just the smallest of margins, wouldn't that be a difference maker and wouldn't the flagship car of that team stand to benefit the most? Once again, name calling isn't the answer to solving this issue. Consistency and impartiality in the long run is. I think totally dismissing peoples' concerns is a mistake. We already know that team orders have played a part in this sport recently. There are several times a year when there is rumbling over a debris caution where no debris is spotted. Is it totally crazy to think that some teams could be given favoritism at times? I don't think so.

      Delete
    3. I'm not interested in "turning it off." Just trying to interject a couple of facts into a discussion badly in need of them.

      Delete
  11. Dave you are the best i love whan you write this from you lap top to us nothing but the best keep it up dave

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous3:49 PM

    They gave all the RCR cars a larger restrictor plate so the 3 car could sit on the pole. Nascar needed the ratings so bring back the 3 car and putting it on the pole will get some of Dale Sr. old fans to watch again.

    ReplyDelete
  13. And we're supposed to believe all this dribble.... Of course your going to tow the na$car line or loose your job.......

    BTW...... Santa and the Easter bunny are not real either...Sorry..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's "drivel," not "dribble." Dribble is basketball.

      Delete
  14. Anonymous4:02 PM

    I think that is Austin had "help" he has the same angelic"help Jr. had in July of '01. So if Austin and the 3 wins the only help he will get will be angelic help from Sr.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. tammy little3:36 AM

      I totally agree with you, a little help from Sr goes a long way. It helped Kevin Harvick win with Dales car also.

      Delete
  15. Anonymous4:27 PM

    NASCAR gave him the nationwide championship last year by running 20 laps under caution at the end of the race for no good reason. Why wouldn't they mess around with timing/scoring to give him pole to get the NASCAR hype train going?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzgPhxepmeQ

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael in SoCal11:14 AM

      I agree that Nascar screwed the pooch on that 20 lap caution that should have been a red flag. Although on second, referring to Sam Hornish as a pooch in this case is messed up. Nascar screwed Sam Hornish.

      Delete
  16. Anonymous4:46 PM

    Dave:

    It is interesting that a large amount of the fan base believes that NASCAR is manipulating the results. If that wasn't the case you wouldn't have put forth the effort you have in this blog post. That doesn’t speak well for the sport.

    The fact that there's a large amount of fan distrust in the legitimacy of qualifying, whether or not there's some basis of truth or otherwise, tells you all you need to know about how poorly NASCAR has been run in the last 10 years and the faith the fan base has in the officiating body. When you consider that the attendance is way down at tracks, NASCAR has to change its scoring system on a regular basis to keep some semblance of fan interest, and comments left on ESPN compare the sport to the WWE it doesn’t bode well for the future of the sport.

    MB

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous5:11 PM

    If anyone doesn't think that Nascar doesn't manipulate results from time to time, ask Tim Richmond's family.

    ReplyDelete
  18. The blunt truth is the conspiracy mongering exists because NASCAR has brought it on themselves. NASCAR maintains far too much control of the racing and its rules writing NEVER looks toward taking away power from the officiating tower even when viable alternatives to giving the tower more control exist. Yellow line rules at Daytona are an egregious example; NASCAR has no business telling drivers where they can and can't pass; if it's paved it's supposed to be fair game. By having such rules NASCAR creates controversies that never should happen.

    The whole Danica Patrick-Austin Dillon controversies would not be controversies if NASCAR had been seen to not be meddling the way it does. The sport doesn't need these tiresome "heartwarming" stories and it will win back trust of the fanbase when these stories stop happening.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How would you like to prevent these "tiresome heartwarming stories?" Should NASCAR manipulate the outcome of qualifying to put someone less remarkable on the pole?

      Delete
    2. It's not about preventing them, it's about NASCAR stopping being as meddlesome and controlling of the racing as it is. Dillon's pole would not be ripped as it's been if NASCAR didn't give itself the amount of control it now has.

      Delete
    3. KYBoy7:47 AM

      Bla bla bla. Everyone will forget all about it when he gets shuffled out on about lap 6! RCR as a whole was lightning quick in testing in January. Dillon was the fastest. All the RCR cars are fast this year. People tend to forget things like that when trying to drum up a conspiracy. NASCAR doesnt have time to worry about a pole. They have their big, ugly, bug-eyed baby called the chase to worry about!

      Delete
    4. Anonymous9:02 AM

      What else could we expect from someone who really works for NASCAR. There have been way to many things that have happened in NASCAR's past to prove you wrong.It would be impossible to list all of them here.My bet is Dillon had sr's old restrictor plate and maybe the cubic inches to go with the #3.What a combination.Don't tell me they didn't let certain cars have engines that were too big in the past. Of course that didn't include Carl Long so don't go there.Ther's a reason they can't fill the stands anywhere anymore and mouthpieces like you and the tv crepes can't make it happen either. Until NASCAR can enforce the 3 million rules they have now,it will still appear to be WWE to me and lots of other people too,ie empty seats and tv ratings that suck. One more thing,the only reason they built their so called tec center in Charlotte was to try to find out what good race teams were doing,since all the front running teams have personel that are way smarter than any tec person NASCAR has. Enough,I get upset at myself for wasting my time and yours writing this.

      Delete
    5. People are not stupid.... When people say something is going to happen (like Dillon getting the poll) and then it happens.....It takes away the legitimacy of the "sport"... Just like the legitimacy of Danica's pole last year.....

      Delete
    6. Anonymous 902, the fact that "it would be impossible to list all of them here" is pretty convenient for you, don't you think? You're saying Dale Sr. cheated his way to all those championships? I would suggest remaining "Anonymous" with that allegation!

      And actually, HOTWHEELSCOTT, some people ARE stupid. But we love them anyway.

      Delete
    7. Lol...They are....acting like this is a "real" sport.... And Dale Sr. didn't cheat his way to his championships....That was Jimmie...

      Delete
  19. Anonymous6:57 PM

    This has long been my belief. Certain cars, have certain advantages on certain days. The teams are not promised anything, there are several days that things just don't work out...hence Derrick Cope wins the Daytona 500. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing is "a show" and that is exactly what they put on. They have been doing it for years. Dale finally wins Daytona, go back and watch everything from that year! "This is Dale's year" was exclaimed from everyone in the garage. Jeff Gordon wins the 1st Brickyard 400, was that just total chance.

    You can't "fix" a race or qualifying, but you can make sure there are advantages!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Well something smells! I am not a fan of Dillon and Nascar is drinking the anyone but the 48 juice. I am not a Johnson fan. I do however like Jr and Kurt Busch. But the fact that last year Danica was on the pole last year got a weeks worth of positive news for Nascar. Why not follow up with the return of the #3 and put him in the pole. NASCAR is needing rating and is the business of trying to make news instead of letting the racing speak for itself.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Waiting for the answer to how this comment could possibly be wrong....

      Delete
  21. If Dillion's car number was anything but the number 3 this would be a non issue. As Dave pointed out the kid has talent and it's not unheard of for a rookie to win the pole at Daytona. How he fares at the checker is going to be the real story.

    ReplyDelete
  22. One if the best things about NASCAR is the fans. On if the worst things about NASCAR is.....the fans.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous2:07 AM

    ..Way to go blasting people...very low. To think the last two years ath the Daytona Pole was just miracles from above is stupid. Believe what you want, I and many, many others have a very healthy life and don't take the media bullshit and hype for anything more than what it is, in fact it is down right insulting. Defend Brian all you want. Nascar is a dying gimmick and two years in a row of "firsts" is just laughable. In todays world one who questions and doesn't go along with the written script is the moron, I say the ones who do are.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And yet, you're still here, watching and reading. Thank you!

      Delete
  24. Anonymous2:13 AM

    ..also if you so called "media" journalists had the balls to ask the hard questions..I'll give you one..Why not ask Tony Stewart the real reason he hired Danica..His correct answer would be the polictically correct one, but if the likes of you and others were doing your job you would point blank ask.."Come on Tony the real reason is the huge amount of money Danica brings to our shop, it pays our bills". But until you guys get even the nerve to toss softballs, this bologna will continue. You owe it to the fans and the crap that is going on will continue.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This has something to do with Austin Dillon's pole?

      Delete
  25. Anonymous5:45 AM

    Dave,

    Two thingson your "to do" list.

    1. Reread "Best Damn Garage in Town"
    2. Rewrite story.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous6:31 AM

    Mr. Moody. you care to explain why NASCAR hands out the tires? So let me see no one talking about Daytona 500...lets give the sticky tires to the RCR guys and hope RCR gave the best motor to the 3 car. Or how about when Dale Jr. just so happens his car can pass with no help in the Daytona 400 after right after his father lost his life in the 500. And when the race ended Johnny Benson and Jimmy Spencer state " we all knew the outcome of the race before it started" ...go back and watch the tape.....Or write and article and try and explain the "debris caution" that magically appears within 20 laps to go of every single race.....Instead of spewing facts that we can all read when we plug a drivers name into Google...Do some research and go to that Goodyear tire plant, watch a set of tires go from build to mounted on a car.....I think you'll find a real story there instead of having to resort to blasting someone's opinion and name calling.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'd love to! NASCAR does not hand out the tires. Teams buy them directly from Goodyear. So much for "doing some research, huh?"

      Delete
    2. Anonymous7:58 PM

      I thought they 'leased' them for the race? Silly me for knowing that.

      Delete
  27. Well, you are not the first to opine I live a sad, strange existence. But life has brought me to this point. Most things that are too good to be true usually are. Maybe Patrick last year, but now Dillion. Stretching.

    Another part of my (our) sad strange existence as CTs is we belief all NASCAR journalists are on a secret dole from NASCAR.

    Back to my sad, strange breakfast of Cheerios, bananas and Budweiser.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If only it were true. I'd have a long backlog of dole checks coming, and with two daughters in Graduate School, I could use them!!

      Delete
    2. Love it. That extra pay window is right next door to my military overtime pay window. Write on!

      Delete
  28. Anonymous8:23 AM

    I just think that people's willingness to believe in NASCAR conspiracies has been groomed by history and past events where NASCAR has been heavy handed and less than transparent.
    Couple that with their willingness to rip the sport apart to chase the almighty dollar and anything is possible.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Anonymous8:34 AM

    I don't agree with Dave on NASCAR. I have been watching and following NASCAR since the 60's. There have been too many things happen over the years that seem to be "to good to be true". Richard Pettys 200 th win, Dale Jr coming back at Daytona in 2001, Jimmy Johnson's problems last year after he clinched a spot in the chase, Danica getting the pole, and now the #3 car on the pole. I told a guy last week that the #3 car would be on the pole no matter who was in it. It is too good of a story for NASCAR to miss out on.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Anonymous9:03 AM

    I believe in certain conspy. thry. but RCR had plenty of engines in the top 10, handing out plates will always lend an olive branch to these thoughts of somebody gaining or been given an advantage. David Pearson was once quoted as saying "all you have to do is take a jack-knife and go around the inside of the plate and it could increase horsepower by 4 or 5. Not a gear head, not sure if the EFI changes all of that wouldnt suprise me that it would. Glad you didn't shy away from the topic DAVE.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Anonymous9:07 AM

    Really, people? A proven talent couldn't just run the fastest lap without some "help"? If Nascar were to manipulate various results then we'd have a story each week. I'm sure RC poured everything he could legally put into that car. Barkeep, a round of reality for all! -Ellen, JJ's girlfriend

    ReplyDelete
  32. Anonymous9:38 AM

    For many years my co-workers would gather on Friday afternoons to pick possible race winners for the following weekend. Number one reason to pick a winner was the storyline, say...#3 returns and wins pole/race. The second reason was who "needs" a win. That could be the driver, team or sponsor(especially is the sponsor was about to leave. It was amazing to all how this seemed to work often on Sunday

    ReplyDelete
  33. Anonymous10:13 AM

    IMO, only 3 people need to know what happened. The guy at the top (1) who ordered it, the minion (2) who hands the slightly larger restricter plate to the mechanic (3) who installs it and takes it back off again later. Might even be the minion and the mechanic are one and the same doing a little midnight tinkering. NOBODY else needs to know nor should they know, certainly not the driver or the owner or any other team. It could done even easier with a little hack to the timing and scoring system computers. You only need to give a car a tenth or 2 to be on top.
    Of course I have no inside info to even know what is really possible, but when something is too good to be true, it often isn't. When it happens 2 years in a row, the smell gets pretty strong.
    This isn't race fixing, or champion fixing, (MUCH harder to do) just a one time deal that's easy to get away with and has no bearing on the outcome of the race. It doesn't matter where you start at Daytona, a good part of the field will drop to the back on purpose anyway.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Anonymous10:48 AM

    By no means am I a conspiracy theorist, but I do find it quite interesting that the #3 won the pole just as the big story became "The Return of the #3". Last year, Danica was the big story, and presto, she too won the pole for the 500. It just seems that NASCAR has had way too many of these "perfect stories" over the years, perfect for the NASCAR PR department, I guess.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Anonymous11:06 AM

    I'm not saying that NASCAR would do such a thing (although they have good reason to and it does seem very convenient). To make out that NASCAR is a consistant, fair, squeaky clean organisation that has never manipulated a result though? That's rubbish I'm afraid.

    Montoya was given a speeding penalty at Indy one year, even though it was proven he didn't speed. Robby Gordon was given a lap penalty at one race, and he never got the lap back when they realised they cocked up. Carl Long's absolutely ridiculous fine, when other teams get away with doing the same thing, and keeping the results afterwards! Then the horrific changes to the points this season. NASCAR clearly wants a good story and a show. Did they make sure it happened this time? Only they know.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Michael in SoCal11:12 AM

    It's lunacy to argue with lunatics.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Anonymous11:53 AM

    I'm not saying that NASCAR bent the rules for a story, but I will say this, I guarantee that this 3 car has had more money and engineering throw at than any other car that every left RCR. With blood in the car, ol' POP POP will throw whatever at the car so the grand kids succeed, I just hope they don't bankrupt RC. And as far as him winning at Volusia, the same thing, no other modified has that much invested in it!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Anonymous1:00 PM

    13 years later and we're still trying to get Earnhardt to save NASCAR.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Anonymous1:20 PM

    I usually don't read Dave Moody at all, but I had to click on this one based on his insulting article title. Yuppers, if you question the narrative that is put forth in the media today and you think for yourself, you are the nut with the tin foil hat. It's about money, lots of it and free publicity. I do not believe Daytona is the Lourdes of the United States, too many "miracles" happen there, especially when Pt Barnum Brian's circus rolls into town every February. And the word around the big top tent is Jr. was suppose to be on the front row too. Bahahahahaha. Pathetic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for reading, "Anonymous!" And for taking the time to comment.

      Delete
    2. Interesting point Dave. You discount the conspiracy theorists in NASCAR about as well as college football tries to make the point that it's all about the student athlete. NASCAR is in the business of making money these days. If that means having a 6 time champion, having Danica or the "3" car on the front row of Daytona than I'm sure they will find a way to make it happen. It's less about sport these days and more about entertainment right?

      Delete
  40. So, every team in the garage is in on it when nascar throws a mystery debris flag?

    ReplyDelete
  41. Muskratjon7:02 PM

    Goodness me Dave, you ought to be ashamed of yourself and stop stirring up the hornets, it really messes with the conspiracy-minded's heads!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Anonymous9:13 PM

    as long as a guy like Michael Waltrip is allowed to own a team, drive part time and be an announcer, all after being involved in multiple cheating scandals there will always be an extreme credibility issue with nascar.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Anonymous10:37 PM

    Umm, does Tony Stewart have The Sad, Strange Life of the NASCAR Conspiracy Theorist that you are writing about in your article? I ask, as these are direct quotes from Mr. Stewart:

    "It's like playing God," he said on his Sirius Satellite Radio program. "They can almost dictate the race instead of the drivers doing it. It's happened too many times this year."

    "I guess NASCAR thinks, 'Hey, wrestling worked, and it was for the most part staged, so I guess it's going to work in racing, too,'" he said. "I can't understand how long the fans are going to let NASCAR treat them like they're stupid before the fans finally turn on NASCAR.”

    "I don't know that they've run a fair race all year."

    Tony Stewart
    April 2007

    Let’s see one of the biggest stars in the sport complained about NASCAR and how it staged/fixed a race. Doesn’t that strike you as odd? If the drivers think the sport is “rigged” and state it in public don't you have to ask how Joe Average Fan is gonna view it any differently.

    For the last decade NASCAR has seen attendance decline. If NASCAR wants to figure out what’s wrong maybe the Officiating Body needs to take a long look in the mirror and see the direction it has moved the sport during that time period.

    MB

    ReplyDelete
  44. B.S. Nascar makes its rules as it goes along .. to suit itself .. not the sport. you know like all the phantom speeding penalties on pit road, all the sudden debris cautions to change a race.. .. and nothing like allowing a larger restrictor plate to ensure who gets the pole .. I think it is fairly obvious that Childress and his money just bought something else for his grandkid.....That is why the sport is dying .. ....

    ReplyDelete