[LSC9901]

Sending them home might increase the overall ratings. Your driver is only one of 43. The driver fans of the other 42 would be watching better than ever to see how much better we do without your driver in the race.

The only way I could agree to having a penalty where you would sit out the first few laps of a race is if they got rid of the lucky dog freebie. It's not out of the question to get back several laps. It's been done before.

As far as buying tickets in advance .... that would just be a chance you take. If your driver were to die just prior to a race where does that leave you ?? Yes I know that chance is slim but issues do come about that could keep your driver out. That scene might weigh more heavily on a team when it comes to "Knausing" on a car. Loss of a fan base can mean millions in sales revenue.

There are teams that go home every week that "may" be playing by the rules. Why should their efforts be swept away when others are "Knausing" and still get to race ?

[Lefty Noob]

Sound good in theory, LSC, but not all of these drivers are created equal. The loss of a Jeff Gordon would most certainly not be equalled by extra David Reutimann fans tuning in, know what I mean? I some ways, I can understand NASCAR's hesitance to suspend any of their biggest name guys, especially with ratings dipping already. But it all comes down to that sport vs. entertainment argument - a sport suspends them no matter what, but entertainment has to consider popularity, ratings and stuff like that.

[LSC9901]

I do agree about the inequity in popularity but the pressure put on the entire team would /should be enough to prevent them from actual cheating. This issue where the car was high enough at pre-race inspection but fails at post race inspection is a bit confusing to my mind, so at this point I don't see that as cheating but I also believe that once someone does get sent home it might well be the last time it happens. Fans are pretty resilient when it comes to sticking with their driver/team/player. Even if they are sent home Jr. or Gordo fans will not totally abandon them. A penalty like that could lead to a new T-shirt concerning the penalty and make even more.

[Nevadastars]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Well, how about this... if we can't send guys home, can we at least force them to park for the first couple of laps as a penalty?

That sounds well and good Lefty, but if they did that another lame rule would come into play.................the Lucky Dog. If the car found illegal is the only one a lap down, he'd be on the lead lap after two cautions.........without even working at it.

You bring up that people spend a lot of money to have their family watch their favorite driver. What if that driver blew up 10 laps into a race, or it rains? There is no absolutes in motorsports. Sending them home would send a stern message that they mean business, and you wont see these infractions nearly as often, so its a no-brainer, IMHO.

No matter how it appears, or the drivers cry about not having their CC's, the teams have to be laughing inside when 3 teams out of the top 5 finish without their normal leaders on the box.

[BringBackWilkesboro]

Originally Posted by Pepsi One

Rating...ratings...ratings...Send Junior home...are you kidding...how many would watch the race...and imagine if Gordon is your favorite driver and you purchased your family of four tickets to the Daytona 500 spent all that loot only to be told your driver wont be there....please Nascar would be stupid to even try anything like that!

Yes, unfortunately all of the above is true in the age of the driver fan.

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Fans are pretty resilient when it comes to sticking with their driver/team/player. Even if they are sent home Jr. or Gordo fans will not totally abandon them. A penalty like that could lead to a new T-shirt concerning the penalty and make even more

I think NASCAR should look into grabbing that Riki Rachtman character if they really want to roll in the dough.

[Pepsi One]

If Nascar really wanted all things equal they'd drop the penalties and say whoever builds the fastest rides, wins, no restrictions.....I'd pay to see Gordon do 500 miles an hour at daytona!

[wardfan]

I'm sure it would only take 1 race being set down to get the point across.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

There are teams that go home every week that "may" be playing by the rules. Why should their efforts be swept away when others are "Knausing" and still get to race ?

I know you're going to beat me up for this, but I have to say that you make a good point. Example: MWR. How many races have Mikey and DJ failed to qualify even though they were not "Knausing"? Granted, the stunt at the start of the season has put them so far behind there's no hope.

Lesson? If you're going to cheat, wait until mid-season. Won't hurt the team as much!

I'm ducking ...

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

I know you're going to beat me up for this, but I have to say that you make a good point. Example: MWR. How many races have Mikey and DJ failed to qualify even though they were not "Knausing"? Granted, the stunt at the start of the season has put them so far behind there's no hope.

Lesson? If you're going to cheat, wait until mid-season. Won't hurt the team as much!

I'm ducking ...

No need to duck. While I do not like the idea of "Knausing", you are correct when you state that it is better to wait until mid season when you can better afford to do it. Holy cow, what am I saying ???

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

No need to duck. While I do not like the idea of "Knausing", you are correct when you state that it is better to wait until mid season when you can better afford to do it. Holy cow, what am I saying ???

http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp?pc=ZSzeb114&pp=ZN

[Nevadastars]

Originally Posted by BringBackWilkesboro

I think NASCAR should look into grabbing that Riki Rachtman character if they really want to roll in the dough.

Who is that guy and what makes him a Na$car authority?

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Nevadastars

Who is that guy and what makes him a Na$car authority?

According to Wikipedia he is really nobody.

Riki Rachtman - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Nevadastars]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

According to Wikipedia he is really nobody.

Riki Rachtman - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sounds to me like he's nothing more than a never-was, headbanger wannabe, mouth for hire.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

I'm ducking ...

welcome to the fold..I knew you'd come around sooner or later...

no need to suspend a driver and get the fans and sponsors upset. just take away their points (driver and owner) for the race .. let them make the decision whether it's more important for their sponsors to get TV time and their fans to be able to see them go round in circles... we all know they don't race for the prize money, 'cept for the big races with the big checks.

[BringBackWilkesboro]

Originally Posted by Nevadastars

Sounds to me like he's nothing more than a never-was, headbanger wannabe, mouth for hire.

Exactly my point...