Is there consistency in NASCAR's rule enforcement? Sometimes they do things that make me go, "Huh?"
In Talladega's April race, Kyle Busch was forced out below the yellow line by Mr. Jimmie Johnson. Kyle actually passed him and eventually won the race. Easy enough, no controversy there. Kyle was forced out so no penalty was needed.
I saw the same thing happen today.
Tony Stewart forced Regan Smith below the yellow line. Actually, it was a block dressed in "Oops, sorry" clothing. It was just an old dog doing in a rookie. Welcome to the big time, son.
At that point, Smith only had two choices. One was to race, which is what he did, or lean a hard door on Tony. If they both wrecked, so what? At least you give yourself the opportunity to win. If I were Smith's crew chief the door thing would have been my choice.
The rule is, supposedly, that you can't pass below the yellow line. Understood, but this incident opens a whole new can of worms.
It would be very easy to use the yellow line as a big part of a bumper car strategy if you're side by side on the outside, running two-wide. All you'd have to do is bump that other car below the yellow line, making him no longer able to complete the pass. You wouldn't even get a rough driving call.
Most drivers are being very corporate by saying, "It's a judgment call by NASCAR." That it was: a judgment call...that was wrong.
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about 1 month ago
Good job Al - you are raising some very important points - and they will be debated all of this week no doubt. I don't think that Nascar will reverse their decision - probably the best they would do would be to move Regan up a few notches.
about 1 month ago
Tony won the race fair and square, Regan started to go below the line before tony got near him so Regan broke the rules, Regan had a teammate behind him they should have set up to pass outside Stewart. There is no controversy when the rule is the rule...
from about 1 month ago
You need to check that video again...in slooow motion.
about 1 month ago
Regan won the race!!!!!!!!!!!! The only reason the 'other car' won is because of his name and his being in 'the chase'.
about 1 month ago
I guess Regan thought Tony was gonna just let him by huh. Tony was guarding his line, a legal move, especially on the last lap. He was not forcing Regan. Nascar determined Tony didn't force him therefore Regan lost. You can disagree with it but that wont change the final result...i disagree with all the restrictions on the c.o.t but i guess we got to live with it..................
from 15 days ago
Regan should have stuck that fender in Tony's door, about where it was when the #20 cut down on him...
about 1 month ago
Folks how about that poll 71% think Regan won...
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