[Team Yates]

I really don't care for the 48 team, but when he said in victory lane, this is dedicated to all the 48 haters, that really set me off. So, now that's me - a 48 hater! I guess it should only stand to reason since I can't stand his boyfriend (gordo) either. I know that I'm going to get booed - for saying it but it's my opinion and we all have them. Nascar says Knaus is suspended, but it's only on race day, what kind of punishment is that? None as far as I'm concerned. They get suspended, fined and still continue to do things illegal. Seven infractions since 2001? And they're still allowed to show up on race day. Take them out of the race - yeah sponsors would be pissed, but they could tell them to remedy the situation. I would like to think that Lowe's isn't happy about the situation, but then their owner is a known cheater also, so apparently they don't care about their reputation!! At least my guys don't cheat or act immature.

GO TEAM YATES - FLY THOSE ROCKETS STRAIGHT TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP !!!!!!!

[rmjvol]

Hi Team Yates, welcome to GoTeamsGo.com.

I just learned that the 48 team asked NASCAR if it was ok to have Knaus on the phone during the race and they said that's ok. Honestly, this suspension is sounding more and more like a limp slap on the wrist to me.

The big guys get caught cheating and not much of a penalty. The new guys from Dallas (Aikman & Staubach) get 25 points taken away. Something doenst seem right.

And the 48 haters comment, I'm just thinking that's a PR stunt. More reason for us fans to be talking about 1 driver as opposed to the others.

[Lefty Noob]

Yeah, that comment was probably just meant to stir the pot a little, and that it did. Johnson's fans probably loved it, while those on the other side of the fence were probably quite annoyed at the statement. Buy, hey, more than anything it seems as though NASCAR's a sport of personality.

I'm glad you brought up the whole issue of the punlishments for Knaus vs. the punishment for the Aikman/Staubach team, Ross. I'm not a huge follower of NASCAR, but the whole punishment thing seems kind of arbitrary. Are there set rules for what a driver or team can or can't be docked points for, or is it all subjective?

If anyone's got a good grasp of the NASCAR rulebook, I'd love if you could enlighten me. Thanks!

[Bonko]

Prediction: Before month of June is over there will be people seen at NASCAR races wearing 48 Hater t-shirts. Of course, there will be variations such as "I Hate the 48" and others. The main point is that NASCAR (like pro wrestling) won't let any potential market slip past them. As Dale Earnhardt said, "It don't matter whether they're cheerin' or booin'; as long as they're makin' noise." Wouldn't be surprised if Hendrick Motorports was the entity printing and selling them.

[GigEmAgs]

Hi Bonko, and welcome. Now's the time to trademark the "I Hate the 48" slogan before someone else gets it. You can be the one making the bucks! Anyhow, I agree that it's going to cause some agitation within the fan base, but at least they've got an active one. Maybe they'll get up in arms about the preferential treatment some folks get. I'm a little steamed about the Hall of Famers penalty myself. Is this how they treat newbies?

[rave20]

The penalty on the hall of fame team is nothing more than a wrist slap too, I think. Terry Labonte was only scheduled to drive the car a few races (until they can get a guaranteed start in all races based on points.) That may keep Terry in the car a race or two extra but that would only help them anyway!

[CRMartin]

Hmm. I really used to hate racing. Honestly. However, lately, all the drama has made for some great entertainment. And it's probably what NASCAR has really needed to really go mainstream. It seems to have worked as NASCAR has found new audiences, including me. (I wonder if that's because I'm a pro wrestler ) As for Jimmie Johnson, I'm sure he did feel hated on and ridiculed. His victory speech was that of a man who was under pressure from all the publicity to pull off something great. Say what you will, but he did that. The penalty also was light due to the still fresh wounds of the Hendrick tragedy last year. But hey, I'm pulling for the Hall of Fame team.

[sehja]

Nascar and rasslin' go together like peas and carrots.

I like "I hate 48" better - on purely poetic grounds.

[swbytm]

Yea RIGHT!! set him out a race. I wont shop at Lowes or Home depot, thank god I have Menards acrost the street. And IM a contractor.

[rmjvol]

Welcome to GoTeamsGo, swbytm.

I'm still thinking the 48 haters comment was (at least partly) orchestrated for the publicity. Or do you think it was completely an off the cuff honest statement?

[CRMartin]

It certainly could have been. And what a great way to bring even more attention to the sport? Work the crowd, fans and haters, as well as the media. Whatever the intention of the speech, it was certainly effective in drawing out more attention.

[car99fan]

If the speech was a PR stunt, can we take it a bit further and say Nascar likes when someone hated like Knaus/Johnson cheats because it fuels talk about the sport?

I've heard all the Speed Channel guys say this cheating is bad for the sport, but it seems it might not be bad for the bottom line.

[rmjvol]

Originally Posted by car99fan

If the speech was a PR stunt, can we take it a bit further and say Nascar likes when someone hated like Knaus/Johnson cheats because it fuels talk about the sport?

I think that would be a logical conclusion for a lot of fans. Along the lines of any publicity is good publicity.

Even in the case where somebody starts hating a sponsor, NASCAR's covered if they've got 2 or more sponsors in the same field.

Hate Stewart? Head over to Lowes. Hate the 48 car? Well, that just pushes you to the Depot.

Worst case for those 2 sponsors it's a wash. But I'd bet that Home Depot and Lowes would like nothing better than for the 20 & 48 to be in the headlines every week talking smack with the other.

[CRMartin]

As a former employee of Lowes, I can tell you thats most likely the truth. Talk about two companies that hate each other. As far as the Speed Channel guys go, come on, they HAVE to say those things. You MUST promote sportsmanship, even though drama brings the best publicity. There is just no doubting that. Nascar is hotter than ever for a reason, it's becoming a soap opera on wheels. Hey, it's got a new fan in me.

[thunderfoot]

TY I fully agree with what you have stated. And I believe a suspension should be just that. No contact with the team or driver once the race car gets to the track. If this was traffic court he should be doing time in the county klink. But we know that NASCAR is a kangaroo court. Apologies to all the roo's down under. So try and make something stick.