[Lefty Noob]

Just got done reading this hilarious article by Matt Crossman of the Sporting News called "In defense of racing the wrong way". Funny, but also thought provoking to some degree. Here's some of my favorite lines.

"Give me aggressiveness, give me bare-knuckle driving, give me a guy who would run his grandma into the fence."

"Knocking somebody out of the way is not only OK, I highly encourage it."

"If the right way is to get out of the way when somebody faster is behind you, it's not racing; it's commuting. I didn't see any HOV lanes at Bristol last weekend."

"The late Dale Earnhardt became a legend by driving the wrong way... People chuckle when they hear stories about him but get their undies in a bunch when drivers today emulate him"

"NASCAR needs another Man in Black to counter all the Men in Clothes Their Wives Picked Out."

So, once you stop chuckling, tell me -- what do you folks think? Is NASCAR getting too tame for its own good? Are the drivers too timid these days? Is tone-down, nice-guy driving really want the fans want?

[KENVOL]

I would really like to see some good driving. Anyone can knock someone out of the way. Let me see you really pass someone, without taking out the poor guy. If you are really that good you can pass without trying to kill someone in the process. Not to mention the cars behind you that will wreck because you took someone out. Rubbing is racing not taking people out.

[Nevadastars]

The problem is, some tracks you just can't pass on without bumping someone out of the way. Bristol is one of them, and Martinsville next week, is another. When a car is obviously faster than another at a short track, if they dont have the courtesy to let you go, you give em the "chrome horn". If there wasnt for any bumping on short tracks, they would have some awfully boring races.

[Smoke+GibbsFan]

There is a way to move someone that doesnt wreck them. DE knew how to do that. Not everyone can emmulate that, and when they try people hit the wall.

[Lefty Noob]

It's basically an art form, isn't it? Give 'em a nudge, get 'em out of the way, but don't put 'em in the wall.

[Smoke+GibbsFan]

I think the term "Taking the air off his spoiler" was invented to excuse DE for all the bumping people he did. LOL But really all the young drivers that grew up watching DE do that now thinks Hey if that what it takes to be great I can do it too.

[Wampinrock]

Good and interesting thread...drivers becoming too timid? Nope, any GOOD driver has, or will, develop the ability to get around the guy in front...too timid? Nope, that has been caused by inTIMIDation by the France family. Bleeding hearts and those who do not comprehend the business of turning left, stratagies, playing the yellow flags, timing the pit stops, tire pressures etc., etc. are quick to condemn what they percieve as dirty driving, when indeed, the driving is calculated and precise (except the inept like Irving, Spencer, the Bumpin' Bodines etc). DE was a master at this...his detractors envied his abilities and thus criticized as a mask of jealousy. Timid...no, maybe concerned about the 'hammer' the Frances weild. The 3rd France has nearly killed the thrill of the pure racing venue...too bad. Let us not forget that racing is, and should be, an agressive sport...that the whole dog-goned idea!...who can get there first and fastest! By-the-way, welcome to the other Gordon fan...now both have checked in. What ever happened to his ex wife? I still have a toothpast tube with them on it ...and "You missed a spot!!" Timid...no, maybe forced to become girly-girls...

[florida]

the only name you need to look to when you're talking about a respectful driver is... yeah ya know what I'm gonna say don't cha...

that's right... Mark Martin... this guy is the epitome of a driver that "Races the Right Way"...

[car99fan]

Personally I prefer a little rubbing and a little bumping. Which is not to say I think someone should make his way around the track just knocking others out of his way, but please people, I don't want to see racing become politically correct!

Mikey and crew on Inside Nextel Cup after the Bristol race said the only difference between a bump that took someone out and bump that just moved the car was the "bumpee's" ability to hang on to the car. A bunch here are talking about the bumper having the ability to just move the car in front vs. send it spinning. Well how about that driver's ability to wheel a loose car?

[LSC9901]

The bump and run is also dependent on where on the track it occurs. Although I'm not a 100% fan of the bump and run tactic I do see where it can be used SAFELY. Well maybe not safely but a safer spot to use it is on the straight-away versus the corners. Everyone is driving so hard into the corners that even a minor nudge sends them spinning out of control. Yes some drivers can raect better to being spun out but either way this may be a place where NASCAR could say that on this track (whatever ones they might be) there will be no bump and run in the corners. There are enough cameras out there so that an infraction could be verified very easily.