Monday, November 02, 2015

COMMENTARY: Random Thoughts On Matt vs Joey

1. After contact with Joey Logano sent him spinning out of the lead at Kansas Speedway two weeks ago, I fully expected Matt Kenseth to make things tough for Logano in the final four races of the season. I expected him to race Logano hard and cut him absolutely no slack. I expected him to be the toughest SOB to pass in the history of NASCAR. But never – not in a million years -- did I expect to see what happened yesterday at Martinsville Speedway.

2. Sunday’s race provided the perfect storm of both opportunity and circumstance for Kenseth. After contending throughout the day for the win, Kenseth found himself torn-up, out of contention and headed for his second lousy finish in the last three weeks. Logano, meanwhile, was dominating yet again, en route to his fourth consecutive win and a guaranteed shot at the championship at Homestead Miami Speedway. For Kenseth, there would never have been a better time to send a message.

3. Kenseth deserves major bonus points for keeping a straight face while insisting that mechanical failure was to blame for the crash.

4. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver was decidedly more forthcoming when he said, “You never like to be in these situations. They really stink, to be honest with you, but sometimes you get put in these spots and you've got to try to keep respect in the garage area.”

5. Logano handled himself impeccably under incredibly difficult circumstances. He answered every question honestly, stated his opinion with eloquence and made no attempt to hide his unhappiness. That’s all we can reasonably ask.

6. Tom Logano, meanwhile, could take a lesson or two in decorum from his son. While young Joey acted his age Sunday, Papa Tom pitched himself a world-class tizzy, rampaged through the garage area in an apparent attempt to kick the ass of Kenseth, or anyone wearing his team colors. The elder Logano was eventually restrained by a handful of Penske Racing personnel, including Shell-Pennzoil Ford crew chief, Todd Gordon. For the record, Mr. Logano, your son is a 25-year old professional athlete, who is more than capable of handling his own affairs without the assistance of his daddy. Pipe down, calm down. It’s not about you.

7. 99.9% of yesterday’s grandstand attendees cheered their lungs out when Kenseth wrecked Logano. They cheered him all the way to his NASCAR-mandated ambulance ride to the Infield Care Center, then booed like banshees when Logano made the same long walk. Interestingly, 88.5% of those same attendees are now demanding that NASCAR fine and suspend Kenseth.

8. For the second week in a row, Denny Hamlin used his post-race interview to chastise NASCAR for failing to control his fellow competitors. "It's a no-holds-barred, Wild, Wild West,” said Hamlin. “The structure… we have around us is not very strong as far as an authority figure saying, 'No, you cannot do that anymore.' I love Brian France, but when he says that drivers are 'doing what they have to do,' it seems like he's promoting this type of racing. It's tough to crown a true champion when things go like this." Denny is entitled to his opinion, of course. But I am the only one who’s tired of hearing drivers say, “NASCAR should protect us from ourselves?” Brian France and Mike Helton don’t drive race cars. Drivers do. These are grown men (and women) who can handle their own affairs, both on and off the race track. They do not need an “authority figure” to teach them right from wrong.

9. A monetary fine will not hurt Matt Kenseth, and it won’t alter anyone’s actions going forward. If drivers feel they have been wronged, they will retaliate.

10. If NASCAR suspends Kenseth, they should probably suspend Danica Patrick, as well. She announced on her in-car radio yesterday that she was going to wreck David Gilliland after they tangled in the opening 100 laps of the Goody’s Headache Relief Shot 500. Over 250 laps later, she did just that.

11. There is nothing wrong with rivalry. This sport was built on rivalries.

12. Contact is a part of stock car racing. If you lack the stomach for our specific style of racing, allow me to introduce you to one of the many sports car and road racing circuits that disqualify drivers for engaging in “avoidable contact.” These are the same series that count the number of live spectators on the fingers of one hand.

13. In my 40-plus years in the sport, I have never been in a more electric grandstand than the one I sat in at Martinsville Speedway Sunday. They cheered, they booed, they jumped up and down like a bunch of school kids. I can’t imagine anyone leaving Martinsville last night, feeling they didn’t get their money’s worth.

14. As fans, we say we don’t want “vanilla drivers.” We say we want drivers who speak their minds, stand up for themselves and refuse to toe the politically correct company line. If NASCAR gets back into the business of fining and suspending people for on-track incidents, it’s vanilla ice cream for life.

15. Not too many years ago, Bristol Motor Speedway was the home of contact, crashes, rivalries and hurt feelings. Back then, you couldn’t buy a seat, at any price. Thunder Valley tickets were contested in divorce proceedings and handed down in wills. Today, the crashes and rivalries have been all-but eliminated, and you can purchase all the tickets you want on race day.




106 comments:

  1. I think Matt should earn bonus points for how / where he extracted his revenge. Joey had a big enough lead when he caught Matt that there wasn't a chance of anyone else getting caught up in it. While I do not condone using cars as weapons, at least it was done in a fashion that it did not ruin anyone's day.

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    1. Anonymous2:25 PM

      You are correct about the Kenseth/Logano wreck. But what about the wreck involving Kenseth and Kez prior to that?

      Kezekiwski and Logano were playing game on the restarts. They may not violate the letter of the law, but they sure went against the spirit of fair competition.

      Then, when Joey and Brad separated themselves from the field, they swapped the lead back and forth as if they were toying with the rest of the field.

      So there was an slight opening on one restart and Kenseth tried to shoehorn his car between the two Penske cars. The result sure ruined Kurt Busch's day.

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  2. Good points! But I do have to disagree with #3. I agree with Dale Jarrett on this one - if you're going to decide to do something like Kenseth did, act like an adult and own it. Kenseth behaved like a lying, petulant child in the post crash interview. No bonus points at all for lying and not admitting what everyone already knew. While I did not like what he did, I could have respected him being honest about what he did.

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    1. I agree that Matt was lying, but for appeal purposes, he has no choice but to say what he said. We all know what happened, but he cant admit it or then the fines or punishment will be worse.

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  3. You have surprised me today. You come off sounding like you welcome this as a way to get more fans in the sport.

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  4. Great insights Moody! Finally an honest and refreshing opinion on the subject. My problem with this incident is not so much in what happened on the track, as in the media coverage afterwards. For the better part of two weeks, the media promoted, hyped, and even encouraged a "payback" scenario. Now, many of them are screaming, "Foul!" They can't have it both ways... Thanks for breaking it down with an honest reflection.

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    1. Karen, I agree with that. Nascar & the media can't have it both ways.

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    2. Exactly! Nascar right this minute is promoting the wreck through articles on their site and Vine videos on their Twitter. If something is so "terrible," then why promote it?

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  5. So you think no punishment for Kenseth? That's absurd.

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    1. I think these grown men can police themselves, and I have plenty of past precedent to prove it.

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    2. Great reply Dave! They were letting them police themselves after Dega, don't change how things are done now that a non Hendricks affiliated driver grew a set! This is what the sport has been missing for way too long!

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    3. Only difference is one driver who caused a wreck is Hendricks affiliated and the orher is not!

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    4. Ken McAllister4:53 PM

      Micheal.... did you see the race ? . Matt was in contention until Keselowski wrecked him . Suspiciously another Penske car !

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    5. Michael in SoCal6:52 PM

      I think the appropriate penalty here would be what Edwards got when he came back onto the track (a high speed 1.5 miler) at Atlanta and took two attempts to turn (and flip upside down) Brad Keselowski. His penalty? Three weeks probation. Nascar set the precedent here, so they need to stick to it.

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    6. Rodney Standerf10:55 PM

      no there should not be. Why should there be any?

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    7. Michael, you have some brass ones for calling out one of the most respected and fair NASCAR journalist in the business. Dave, keep up the great work! We all know how to ignore people of this nature!

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  6. Well said Dave. It's a win-win for the sport. People will tune in next week to see what happens next, and Homestead will surely sell out. Jeff Gordon looked like a kid out there in Victory Lane. Martinsville is no longer just a hotdog stand, it delivered in a big way. It changed the Chase in 2015.

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  7. Anonymous12:02 PM

    Was it only 88.5% that want to see a fine? I had it pegged at closer to 88.8%. LOL!

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  8. Anonymous12:03 PM

    Agree with you on many points, Dave, but I don't agree with Matt getting points for keeping a straight face. IMO, he attempted to insult the intelligence of everyone watching. Dale Jarrett even called him a liar. Also, contact, crashes and rivalries are all great but blatantly taking someone out like that is completely wrong in this situation. He was butt hurt about Kansas but that was racing for the win and he kept blocking. Kyle Busch was suspended in truck series for same thing and I beleive Matt should be as well and, if necessary, suspend Danica also. NASCAR needs consistency across all series. If they continue to allow this, it will get worse and someone, possibly fans, will get hurt as a result. Racing is racing and you can't always prove intent, but this is blatant.

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    1. Anonymous2:27 PM

      Kyle put Hornady into the wall under caution...big difference.

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    2. Anonymous3:41 PM

      I'm 99 44/100% sure Harvick lied to all of us regarding taking out the 6 at Tallagega. That deal tore up a bunch of cars so he could protect himself and his position in the GWC finish. He wasn't getting even with someone. He took out an innocent bystander (#6) and ruined the day for the 88 and the 11...and tore up others as well, because by doing so would freeze the field and lock him into moving on.

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    3. Exactly. Happy was selfish and didn't care about the innocents and Matt served up his revenge over multiple incidents without damaging others while still leaving Sliced two more opportunities this round.

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  9. Dwayne in Memphis12:04 PM

    My only problem with Kenseth was that he did it now. A win by Logano next week will erase yesterday's "payback" completely. If you want to get your pound of flesh, wait until Miami (and he may well intend to do so) when there is no "next round" to win yourself into.

    Just once, someone should let Tom Logano get his butt whipped by someone 20 years his younger and in better shape - maybe then he'll quit being the 9-year-old baseball parent. At this point, he's been in more garage altercations than Joey has. It's time for NASCAR to step in and put down an ultimatum. "One more outburst out of you, sir, and you'll be buying your tickets and sitting in the stands."

    As for Danica, it's the same story, different week. Whenever...WHENEVER she gets bumped in the slightest, it was personal because she's a woman, and there's going to be payback coming because she's not going to be bullied! She's the biggest bully on the track to defend her right to be on the track, and she's yelling at everyone from Denny Hamlin to the flagman for being out to get her simply because she's a woman. "Don't look at me as a woman! I'm a racer!! (oh here, hold this pile of clothes, I have another godaddy photoshoot) "

    She needs to lose the chip on her shoulder and take a breath. Matt needs kicked in the butt for wasting that crash at Martinsville instead of a simple brake check on pit road at Miami. And Tom Logano needs to go away and never be seen on TV again.

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    1. I agree it was too soon to wreck him, but, I think it was much smarter to do it at Martinsville,had he spun him at Texas or Phoenix, it could hurt someone, by doing it yesterday, he could do it more safely for other drivers around them.... plus the joy of leaving the gas mashed as he pile drove him into the wall will help with the angst he was feeling toward the Penske boys, I bet they race him with a bit more respect now too....

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    2. Anonymous6:02 PM

      I have to disagree with the Phoenix Part of your reply Jay! Its a one mile track, and I have been there for races!! If not Martinsville, Phoenix is perfect for it!!

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    3. Eddie Thornton8:51 PM

      I agree with most everything said, my biggest issue with all of this is Tom Logano. He has absolutely NO BUSINESS being in the garage and getting involved in every dust up that involves Joey. Wasn't it earlier this year that the wife or girlfriend of a truck driver was banned and fined for making derogatory comments post race towards another driver? wewll the same should happen to daddy Logano! Now if they decide to Punish Matt they better make a list because their are several that deserver the same punishement if they are going to decide to make and example out of someone! They are the ones who said "BOYS HAVE AT IT"

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  10. And with that said had Mr. K not wrecked Mr. K non of it would have taken place. It all goes back on the team Penske team.

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    1. Anonymous6:05 PM

      And before the wreck the first Penske car was the cause of, The afore mentioned Mr. K had a car every bit as fast as the other Penske car!!

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  11. Anonymous12:09 PM

    Very well said, Dave. I am hoping Pete Pistone reads this.

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    1. Anonymous6:06 PM

      Are you telling me Pete can actually read?? :)

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  12. Anonymous12:15 PM

    Well said Dave. I couldn't agree more.

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  13. Anonymous12:18 PM

    All true except for one important fact, then we did not have this ludicrous Chase and the champion was a true yearlong champion. Not the every race has a champion like we have to deal with now.

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    1. Anonymous3:03 PM

      Agree - Nascar does not Crown a Champion anymore - Just a race winner..

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  14. Dave,
    Very accurate, balanced and correct assessment of the nights actions. Right now the sport is in the unwanted position of determining Intent of a driver. who (smartly) did NOT announce his intentions on the radio.. I don't envy them today. On the other hand Dave's 15th point does bear remembering..

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  15. Best penalty I can think of is to take away Kenseth's first race winning bonus points and chase berth of 2016..

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    1. Is there any precedent for such I penalty? I don't think so.

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    2. Anonymous5:07 PM

      Best thing is for Joey Lagano to stop making stupid choses :
      Lagano chose to wreck Kenesth in Kansas
      Lagano chose brake check Kenesth in Talladega
      Lagano and Keslowski chose to play games with restarts yesterday
      wrecking Kenesth and Kurt Bush
      Lagano chose to be arrogant in interviews
      So Kenesth made a chose to give what he was given
      Nascar has to be consitent with their remark which they were not yesterday

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  16. Well said, Godfather.

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  17. Great American Race Fan12:31 PM

    Dave, I love your take. It is quite refreshing compared to some of the crap we have been hearing from other analysts. I hate listening to Jeff Burton, Kyle Petty, Parker Kligerman and Dale Jarrett crying about how the Kenseth/Logano deal was such crap and ridiculous and a black eye to the sport... or how he lied about what happened. SHUT UP! NASCAR needed this. It's called rivalries and will bring more hype to the sport than NASCAR has seen all year. It happened at a track that the impact to drivers physically is minimal at best. It's ok to take someone out if you are going for the win and essentially ruin their championship run but it's not ok to get retribution? Since NASCAR won't allow drivers to confront each other outside the car, inside the car is the only option. To think otherwise goes against everything that is short track racing. And this was a great depiction for what that is. These drivers turned analysts are a joke. They would have all done it in their day... Lastly, Danica has blatantly tried to take out drivers (today included, lamblasting Gilliland after waiting for him under caution) and NASCAR hasn't said a thing. If you have done enough to piss off Kenseth to that level, you have really screwed up. And let me clarify, I am not saying Kenseth shouldn't be penalized. He absolutely should be (as should Danica). But for "fans" to act like this is the most egregious act of all time and that they are going to stop watching NASCAR because of this is laughable. Most of you were probably complaining just last week about how naPcar was so boring... blah blah blah. Of course he isn't going to blatantly admit it either. Let NASCAR figure it out. You don't just throw yourself under the bus! In today's day and age, plausible deniability is key.

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  18. I'll have to admit I was fairly surprised with the way that it went down myself. Seeing the cards that Matt had in his hands at the time it makes perfect sense to me. Everyone seemed to agree weeks ago that Martinsville was where it would happen. After being taken out again by another Penske car I guess Matt finally had enough and executed it the way he did. Reminded me a lot of Jeff and Clint at Phoenix in 2012, with the exception that no innocent parties were involved.

    One of the best races since the 1992 finale with all the different things going on and Jeff Gordon storybook ending.

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  19. Anonymous12:40 PM

    Well, that was a great synopsis of yesterday. From my point of view, after Keselowski took out Kenseth I think he had enough. The message was the shot into the bow which should wake Joey and Brad up. When you piss off someone like Kenseth, it's not his fault for retaliating. Maybe he was a little harsh, but I think the war is over. Half a million dollars in race cars later, Jeff Gordon steals the show. How sweet that ending was.

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  20. Bryan Gideon12:42 PM

    It's only Vanilla if your driver doesn't win.. good article as always Moody

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  21. As always, Mr. Moody is on point. Appreciate - and respect - your perspective, sir.

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  22. Well, I disagree with you on #1 - I fully expected Kenseth to do exactly what he did if the circumstances allowed for it.
    #3.5 Kenseth deserves bonus points for not collecting anyone else in his retaliation. That is a skill that others have failed at before.
    #4 Didn't he also say word to the affect of, that if you let people walk all over you, they will
    #5 Yes! Logano seemed as surprised as I was, that is not at all.
    #6 - I'll forgive Tom. I'd prefer to let Penske handle the family - they seemed to do all-right
    #7 - I guess I'm in the 11.5% - If you are going to let the boys provide each other with their consequences, then you must let the boys give out the consequences

    And my final thought - This Kyle Busch fan is rooting for Jeff Gordon to win at Homestead.

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  23. Could not agree more on all your points Dave. People have a lack of memory on rivalry and payback, nothing new to see here, just more talking heads.

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  24. Thanks for taking the time to take a cheap shot at open wheel racing. You certainly sound professional when you do that. Maybe, just maybe, they don't allow avoidable contact because someone could get hurt. Or killed. Or just have the outcome of a championship potentially decided by some of that avoidable contact.

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    1. I get that you don't like what I said, but was any part of my statement factually inaccurate?

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    2. Dude, get off Moody's arse! He knows we need this kind of stuff to win the fans back! Just stick to your open wheel racing, we don't need you around Good Ol Boy Racing!

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  25. Anonymous1:41 PM

    Nascar should ban KENSETH like Curtis Turner and put Logano in the finals like Gordon two years ago at Richmond !

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    1. NASCAR should do absolutely nothing for anything that happened on the track yesterday just like they did at Dega!

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    2. This did not deny Logano a place in the finals. Had this happened at Phoenix you might have an argument, but even then, unless it happened on the last lap, there is no guarantee that Joey would have won.

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    3. Except Curtis Turner was banned from NASCAR for entirely different reasons.

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  26. NASCAR better just treat this one just like they treated last week's dilberate actions of the #4 who they said "only did what he had to do to keep himself in the Chase"! Don't be treating others any different. What ever happened to "Boys have at it"? This is the kind of stuff us fans demand, we want pasion on the track! If you continue to fine drivers for pasion on the track you will lose what little fan base you have left!

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    1. Anonymous4:20 PM

      Thank You!! Well said--

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    2. Anonymous7:48 PM

      Bad guy--Kevin!

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  27. Drivers intentionally wrecking to alter the out come of a race is not good racing in my opinion . This is not smash up derby.

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    1. Anonymous10:38 AM

      How bout when logano put Hamlin in the wall and broke his back? What was his punishment

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  28. Should make for a good radio show today....

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  29. I agree that no penalty should be given to Kenesth. If they want to make a new rule, and NASCAR loves to make rules, then make a stand tomorrow and say no penalty for Matt, BUT, from this day forward, a blatant wreck WILL result in suspension. Doing something to Matt now will only cause more problems, and will make every bit of contact a chance for a driver to say it was deliberate and demand sanctions. I for one, thought it was a great move by Matt, and sent a message.

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    1. Yes it sent a message and that message was sent to the two Penske drivers whom by the way I like very much however, the message is, if you two want to continue, us four are more than willing to keep it going! And that my friends is the beauty and passion that has been missing for way too long now! Hats off to everyone involved on the track yesterday for bringing passion back to our sport!

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    2. They didn't make a new rule in response to the #4 making a statement that the only way he was going to move forward into the final 8 was for an accident to happen and low and behold, the #4 caused the accident and he was able to move forward! Don't make any new rule now either!

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  30. I understand fan(atic) but also, quit being myopic and understand reality. Matt admitted that he was trying to block for a fourth time at Kansas and stated that as the leader he thought he should be able to have whatever line he wanted and he should, as long as there isn't another car there. All of you 20 fans should watch the replays a little closer and you will see Matt come down on the 22 car trying to block. Could Joey have lifted to give him room? Yes but with about five to go for the win, honestly, would you lift?
    Yesterday, Matt starts to fester again because he thinks he was maligned by the 2 car when in reality, the 2 was pushed by the 41 and got loose, then rubbed wheels with the 20, which everyones account including Dale Jarrett on TV, makes you even looser and he got into the 20 even more. I think NASCAR needs to send a very pronounced statement by suspending Matt for 2 races, fining him $100K and 50 driver/owner points.

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  31. Your analysis is spot on, especially pointing out the Danica/Gilliland deal. TV broadcasters completely ignored that.

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  32. I understand being a fan(atic) but also be real. the 22 did not intentionally wreck the 20 at Kansas. Matt admitted in his interview that he was trying to block for the fourth time meaning that he knew he was slower than the 22 and he also stated that he thought that as the leader he should be entitled to whatever line he wanted. That belief is correct right up to the point that another car is already there. Could the 22 have lifted and given him some room? Yes but with about 5 laps to go for the win, honestly, would you?
    Yesterday, Matt feels maligned by the 2 car wrecking him. Again reality. The 41 got into the back of the 2 and got him loose and then when he rubbed tires with the 20, which everyone including Dale Jarrett on TV says will make you looser, he got into the 20 and he spun. Now being 9 laps down and feeling Team Penske is running over him he exacts his revenge.
    I think NASCAR needs to really send a message here and suspend him for two races, fine him $100k and 50 driver and owner points.

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  33. Anonymous2:32 PM

    disagree with comment on fans want Kenseth penalized. Polls show majority say do nothing

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  34. Anonymous2:44 PM

    I agree 100%! Nascar is not Big Brother, although it does try to be. These are men and they know how to settle it. Nobody got hurt (except in the pocketbook) and it was a joy to the fans, who have endured year upon year of aero-push and politically correct drivers. It was a magical day at Martinsville. I used to boo Jeff Gordon but I was actually crying when he jumped out of his car and onto his pit crew guy. There was not a happier guy on the face of the earth at that moment. The fans -- and the press! -- will be talking about this one for years.

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  35. My question is this, If Brad blocks for Joey so Joey can take the lead, isn't that also manipulating the Chase field? If one driver is moving over so the teammate(s) can earn extra points, isn't that affecting the Chase. It seems that would fall into the same category of spinning out to bunch the field back up if your teammate needs to catch up to the leader? It seems most of this is semantics and how popular opinion is running. I saw so many interviews yesterday that I can't remember who (Kyle Busch?) said NASCAR is real consistent with being inconsistent. If they aren't going to find any reason to do anything to Kevin for turning Bayne to manipulate his place, because Kevin said he didn't do it, Matt should walk too. If Sliced Bread is as good as he thinks he is, next week it will be a moot point because he will have another win and coast to the championship.

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  36. Anonymous3:14 PM

    So - Same situation next year at Kansas. Does Joey give Kenseth the bumper???

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  37. I can tell you from across the grandstand aisle, in section HHH row 29, that none of my group is insisting on punishment for Matt K. We're part of the 7+%!. I hate to say it but stories with a good guy and a bad guy are more interesting than stories with 43 good guys. Something tells me that NASCAR is also aware of that.

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  38. Anonymous4:20 PM

    I agree with your take Dave. Every year we watch the fist fight over and over that put NASCAR on the map and now we are calling this incident terrible? Go figure . You think anyone would watch NFL flag football . Matt just improved the TV ratings. He should get a bonus!! My wife never watches a race, after the incident she was glued to the TV for all the post race coverage.

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  39. Chris Horton4:24 PM

    Dave, I agree completely. Most of the NASCAR world I have heard speak on this issue want to crucify Matt. You and Ricky Craven have had two of the most sane opinions I have heard on the topic. Joey, whether right or wrong, took Matt out of contention at Kansas for the win and championship at Kansas. Matt responded in kind at Martinsville. He didn't do it at Talladega. He didn't involve anyone else. He responded to one driver at Martinsville, NASCAR's smallest track. When NASCAR instituted the "boy's have at it" mentality where did they think that policy was going to lead? And did Brian France think when he complimented Joey for the move he made at Kansas that no one was listening? Whether he realized it or not he was giving the official NASCAR opinion on drivers taking matters into their own hands and everyone was listening. Matt's car was parked after the incident yesterday. That should have happened to let everyone calm down. For the sanctioning body to punish him further would be wrong and hypocritical based on the stance that NASCAR has taken both in statements and actions. If the sanctioning body penalizes Matt further for this then they have to get all the way into the business of penalizing rough, aggressive driving and every retaliatory move. I hope that doesn't happen. Is a little controversy really such a bad thing? So Matt and Joey won't be sending each other Christmas cards. I don't know that David Pearson and Richard Petty were the best of friends back in the day. Heck, Cale Yarborough didn't like anybody and the feeling was mutual. Whether anyone wants to admit it or not there is a code that racers in the garage. It all boils down to respect. If they feel wronged they level the playing field. In years past drivers would voice their displeasure in the pits or out behind the grandstands after a race. Things were settled and then everybody moved on. When NASCAR instituted the "boys have at it" policy they got out of the business of policing rough driving and gave the drivers permission to police themselves. Where did they think that policy was going to take us? When Brian France applauded Joey for his aggressive driving at Kansas did he not realize he was speaking as the Chairman of NASCAR and not as a fan? People were listening. They heard him loud and clear. Don't over sanitize this sport. Matt shouldn't be penalized any further. What this is is the driver's policing themselves, just like NASCAR asked them to do. It may not be pretty and you may not like it, but this is exactly what it looks like.

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    1. And Matt wouldn't be penalized any more if he only drove for Hendricks!

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    2. EVERYBODY needs to read this most excellent summary of the events! Come on Mike and Brian, post your stupid response to this! Thank you Chris!

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  40. Anonymous4:44 PM

    well I gave up on nascar a few years ago and by the looks of stands many other people have too . But after seeing this story I might tune next we to see what shakes down. nascar cant be like wwe they have to let the drivers settle the problems they have. trust me the owners or sponsors will step in before to long and stop it those cars are not cheap. nascar should promote this for ratings they could use a boost.

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    1. If you gave up on NASCAR a rew years ago, why are you reading this? No matter, welcome back.

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  41. Anonymous4:48 PM

    I'm sorry, but I just can't even watch what's happened to this sport. Brian France, this is YOUR NASCAR. You killed MY NASCAR.

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  42. Completely agree Mr. Moody! Tell Pistone to back off!!!!

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  43. As always Dave speaks with years of wisdom..... My question still remains.... What about Harvick, in car clearly showed him making a right turn into the 6 and causing the race stoppage.... NASCAR turned a blind eye..... Logano didn't move Kenseth out of the way at Kansas... he punted him..... Brian France smiled with glee...... Now, right or wrong with what Kenseth did, how can NASCAR claim to be consistent if they Suspend Matt? They must have heard the cheers.... On the morning drive today Bagman claimed on his unofficial pole that over 80% of the respondents wanted no action against Kenseth..... Just glad I'm not in charge at NASCAR... this is a real Pandora's box beginning to open..... This guy can, this guy can't, this is ok, that ain't....lol

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    1. And the sad part of all of this is, NASCAR is going to validate exactly what Kyle said in respects to "it all matters on what name is above the door" on what is done and not done for aggressive and non-vanilla racing! NASCAR can't wait to validate Kyle's comments and then punish him for making those comments! Mike and Brian must go! If they don't go soon, them along with selling TV rights to channels that most people don't even get on their TVs is going to put the last dagger in the sport right next to the first dagger called "The Chase"! Has anybody other than me been following the double digit TV ratings drops this year, it is like WOW! Way to go Mike and Brian, you both are simply just wonderful for the sport!

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  44. Anonymous5:15 PM

    WELL LET ME START

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  45. Anonymous5:28 PM

    The only reason this is an issue is matt drove logano into the wall. If matt had simply wrecked him and went on...no issue. As far as matt lying that is also part of the payback.

    People are forgetting that matt called logano a liar. Again matt played the same game in his eyes. In matts eyes his explanation is no different than what logano said.

    I had no issue with what logano did to matt at kansas but lets be realistic. Matt may have been blocking but kansas is a wide and multi groove track. I think matt believes and I would agree that there were other grooves logano could have run in but he chose to take out his strongest competitor for the championship.

    I think nascar should leave this one alone. The kangaroo kid got what he deserves if he doesnt like it he should run back to mommys pouch. As for loganos daddy I wish he would go pick on harvick and see what happens.

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  46. Anonymous5:54 PM

    Well, neither Joey or Kevin admitted to theirs either, so then all three deserve the same thing. I don't like the cheap shots, but when one gets away with it, then two, both having adverse effects on the chase, then it should have been stopped in Kansas. At the bety least last week. Last week was even more blatant. And crew members told Kevin just what he ended up doing. Funny part is, yesterday, Joey came down on Matt, Joey's spotters were practically yelling Matt was still there, and yet he came down. Matt said his right front was down or going down. What we believe one or two drivers, and not the third. Go home your drunk.

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  47. Damon6:07 PM

    Moody, Danica's been getting punted by people left and right from Day 1 since she's been in Nascar, but now you want to retroactively change the rules and punish her when they don't punish anybody for this type of stuff? C'mon.

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    1. Learn to read, Damon. I never said anything like that.

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    2. Dave, one thing about NASCAR fans, the majority of them play by two sets of rules, one set for their driver and another set for all the other drivers! My buddy was watching Sunday's race just waiting for somebody to do to #4 that the #20 did to the #22, was on the edge of this seat waiting for the knock out punch that was going to make his day, he was more than ready to buy a #11, #20, #31 or even #88 shirt for whoever got the job done! However, being a Ford man, as soon as it happened to his #22 Ford, he was like, NASCAR better park the #20 for the rest of the year. I mean, if his attitude can't be described as the "Come On Man" of the day, I don't know what can!

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  48. Excellant comments, Dave. What I say yesterday was NASCAR. If I wanted to watch corporate, button down collar, politically correct motor car racing I'd watch Formula 1. NASCAR got what they wanted, once the Boys have at it is out of the bag, you don't get it back in easily if at all.

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  49. What I saw yesterday was NASCAR, and they got exactly what they wanted. Once have at it boys is out of the bag, you don't get to pull it back when you choose. I loved what I saw. When Penske Racing decides to play with the field, feelings will get hurt and at Martinsville, cars get hurt.

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  50. Great read Dave. I think Kenseth had enough with the recent brake check. Took an opportunity to do what he thought he needed to do to retain credibility. NASCAR created this monster. If they decide to punish Kenseth......Danica....Harvick..... Better get their share too. .... To be fair.......

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    1. well Alan, I share in your hopes of NASCAR being fair when dishing out punishment but, I can guarantee you NASCAR has already forgotten about Harvick's BS move last week, and since Danica is also a Hendricks affiliated driver, she will get off scott free also just like Harvick did. Now on the other hand, since Matt is a non Hendricks affiliated driver, they are going to shoot him! Just the way things happen in HendricksCAR. Us non Hendricks fan have to decide to accept the fact of Hendricks owned NASCAR or pack it in and avoid seeing the sport's slow death thanks to Mike and the rest of the ones on the Hendricks behind the scenes payroll.

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  51. RobertG.8:01 PM

    I'm not sure how Nascar can indict Kenseth but not Harvick.
    Both had reasons to make a move that caused a wreck.
    Matt said very quickly that he had a tire going down or something (right after the wreck on the radio). So unless he cooked it up in advance, it is plausible.
    Watching the video on Nascar show on FS!, I put on my junior detective hat.
    Joey spotter said that someone was below him. Watching the cars go by and the lane lines, it looks like they were both moving down on the track. From the rear view camera on Joey's car, I don't see Matt turn right. If anything he just went straight.
    And besides all that, are we ok with Penske cars manipulating the front row? Joey letting Brad take the inside and then Brad letting Joey get in front of him. Multiple times. What happened to being penalized for not making an effort? Brad clearly laid back to let Joey in. All of the pundits (and even Jeff G) acknowledged it was going on.

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    1. NASCAR, or HendricksCAR don't need any reason for slamming Matt, they do not care how us fans feel, they have a convoluted and corrupt agenda that is no longer a secret any more and they are about to expose it even more by slamming Matt.

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  52. I'm good with what Kenneth did. I hope there are no suspensions. I was good when Vickers put my driver into the catch fence in Sonoma a few years back after Tony punted him for "Blocking". Same exact situation. Also, didn't Jeff Gordon do the exact same thing to Clint Bowyer a few years back?

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  53. I was cheering. And I'm not calling for suspension. Guess that makes me a 15%er.

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  54. Anonymous8:50 PM

    Thanks Dave for not being like Kyle Petty, DJ, Larry Mac and all the others that seem to be NASCAR's puppets. Like others have said the Media and NASCAR do all this hype for the races showing mostly wrecks in commercials and pre race talk about getting payback, then payback happens then they claim it's a black eye for the sport. From what I seen from the grandstands at Martinsville the fans flat out LOVED it. "See" you on the radio..........

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    1. You nailed it, Kyle, DJ and Larry Mac have to toe the Mike and Brian BS party lines in order to keep their jobs! Here's to Sirius Channel 90!

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  55. Anonymous9:07 PM

    if you live by the sword sometimes you die by the sword. Kenseth had passed him earlier in the race pretty cleanly but after his car was caught up in a botched attempt to manipulate a restart I think he had enough. While I don't condone an intentional wreck this is what the sanctioning body has promoted and even now will use to hype. By the way, don't I recall something about some racer's family member wearing the firesuit in that family.

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  56. awesome awesome article. Only 1 disagreement. That the fans want Kenseth fined or suspended. Between so many tweets and responses on articles plus polls 80% are not to do nothing. Even on all the articles (wow alot) on this, most defend Matt. Martinsville was by far the best race of the year. Toatlly unexpected outcome and actual passing. In other words a actual Nascar race

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  57. Anonymous9:36 PM

    I firmly believe if Kez had not wrecked Matt earlier, this wouldnt have happened. They finally pushed Matt too far...and if Matt does get penalized, then Kez and Joey better get penalized too. The restart games they played were a clear violation of the give 100% rule.

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  58. Anonymous10:40 PM

    Again, Logano is always the bad guy. Matt took himself out at Charoletee with Newman, he was all over the race track at Kansas blocking..Logano held his line. He gets taken out by harvick at Dega. Matt seemed for 2 races to be his own problem. Why is the press looking at Logano as the bad guy. Oh I know, why..I just don't think most can honestly say why. I don't care Matt, crossed a line and Matt is a liar. This crap will continue and I don't think a lapped car taking out a lead car in this stupid format benefits anything. Fans are bias, but the bigger picture has to do with dollars..big business. Nascar does need to put the hammer down. Do you really think a Crazed Matt who is still steeped in denial over his own actions in him missing the stupid Chase is really in his right mind. He was blowing other people's money for his own personal demons.

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  59. Rodney Standerf10:52 PM

    This is why we all call you the Godfather. you said it perfectly I am one of the biggest Jeff Gordon fans and he did the same thing to Clint Bowyer and yes this is what makes racin so exciting. I was getting tired with the regular season and was jusy waiting for the Chase to start so the excitement would start. I am glad to see this and you bet your ass I will be in front of the TV for every remaining race and will not miss a thing. Thanks for your honestey and love you on Channel 90 every night Look forward to tomorrow nights episode again. Thank you for the great article.

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  60. Dave, Everything you have said here is so true and any commentator that thinks differently is just touting the NASCAR politically correct line and shame on them!! Fans want to see what we saw at Martinsville, I was in those stands and you are right, it was the most electrifying fans have been in a long time, the passion was back on Sunday afternoon!! We go to 8-9 races a year and lately we walk out talking about how boring they have become and how we aren't going to spend anymore money going back, there has become a lack of passion amongst the drivers, tracks, media and fans! Tracks all across the country are struggling to fill seats and this is only making it worse! I will wait to re-new my tickets to Martinsville to see how NASCAR handles this incident, if they fine Matt Kenseth and take this raw passion away from all of us then there is no reason for me to go back!! What happen to the "Have at it, boys" that NASCAR announced before? Now we are the politically correct NASCAR? Keep at it NASCAR and you will be filling all your seats with those advertising banners you are using now to cover up those empty seats! Oh wait, you won't have those advertisers because there won't be anyone in the stands to see them!!

    "Have at it, boys" and we the fans will keep coming out and supporting you!!!

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  61. My question is if I'm not mistaking when they had that brawl in the garage in Texas cpl years ago did they or didn't nascar stated deal with your issues out on the track not in pit lane or garage if so what's the difference

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  62. Anonymous3:59 PM

    So many passionate fans posting about this topic. I'm honestly surprised this many people watched the race on Sunday the way things have been as of late.

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  63. Well said as always Dave.

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  64. Funny reading all of the Monday morning quarterbacks here. Matt got suspended and do you really think he cares? He knew what he woukd get, yet had the nuts to do what he had to do. Listen to Dale Jr radio show where he states "dont wreck Matt" or Gordon say that 90% of the drivers would have done the same thing.

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