[tkj24]

Here's what Jr got for saying the same thing.
If Tony would lose the same amount of points it would make him loose a spot to Jimmy Johnson, the very one he gained today.

Earnhardt Jr. fined $10,000, loses 25 points

October 5, 2004
12:13 PM EDT (16:13 GMT)

NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr. was knocked out of first place in the Nextel Cup by a slip of the tongue.
Earnhardt was docked 25 points and fined $10,000 by NASCAR on Tuesday for cursing during a TV interview after his victory at Talladega Superspeedway.
Slip of the tongue
Victory Lane
Dale Jr. lets a profane word slip

Asked Sunday by NASCAR broadcaster NBC about the significance of his fifth victory at Talladega, Earnhardt said, "It don't mean s--- right now. Daddy's won here 10 times."
Now, instead of leading Kurt Busch by 13 points in the Nextel Cup standings, Earnhardt, the son of the late seven-time series champion Dale Earnhardt, trails by 12 with seven races left in the season.
Richie Gilmore, director of competition for Dale Earnhardt Inc., said the team will appeal NASCAR's decision.
"This is a huge setback for the entire company," Gilmore said. "We're in a sport that focuses its primary attention on the final 10 races of the season and we're racing against formidable teams for a championship. We're facing a setback from a competition standpoint for something that should be considered a personal foul. We have no choice but to appeal the points portion of the penalty.
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"I think we're the only sport that takes points off of the board after they've been scored. The popularity of this sport is based on colorful personalities and the fact that everyone can relate to these drivers and their emotions. Now, it seems like that's a detriment."
Pointing out that Junior's comments were not made in anger, Gilmore said the team has received hundred of supportive calls from fans.
"This whole incident is going to force everyone in the sport to rethink showing any excitement in what should be a jubilant moment," Gilmore added.
Appeals are heard by a three-person panel selected by NASCAR from the National Stock Car Racing Commission. No date has been set for the appeal.
Earnhardt will still be credited with the 14th victory of his career and fifth at Talladega but, with the points penalty, it's as if he finished fifth on Sunday. Still, he has plenty of time to make up the deficit on Busch, with up to 190 points available at each of the last seven events.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
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In February, NASCAR president Mike Helton told drivers to watch their language on radio and television. Less than a month later, he showed he meant it: Johnny Sauter was fined and lost 25 points for swearing during a radio interview following a Busch Series race in Las Vegas.
Ron Hornaday Jr. also was hit with a fine and the loss of 25 points after cursing during a live radio interview in June during a Busch race at Dover.
NASCAR spokesman Mike Zizzo said Earnhardt's penalty was consistent with those penalties.
"NASCAR President Mike Helton made it clear back in February at the drivers meeting at Rockingham that we, as a family sport, were taking this very seriously and adhering to FCC guidelines," Zizzo said. "The timing is unfortunate for Dale Jr., but NASCAR also made it clear to the competitors that we would police the last 10 races just like we did the first 26."
Since Janet Jackson's breast-bearing halftime show at the Super Bowl on Feb. 1, the FCC has cracked down on objectionable content on TV. Last month, CBS was fined a record $550,000 by federal regulators for the halftime show.
Junior, who will turn 30 next Sunday, could not immediately be reached. Minutes after the TV interview, however, he knew that his comment was going to mean trouble.
He was visibly uncomfortable during the winner's interview in the pressbox, defending his use of what NASCAR has deemed inappropriate language.
"I hope they understand that it was in jubilation and I know me and those other guys that got fined let it slip, but it's two different circumstances," Earnhardt said. "I think that when you're happy and joyous about something and it happens, I think it's different than being angry and cursing in anger."
Earnhardt added that he wasn't promoting the use of that language.
"If anybody was offended by the four-letter word I said ... I can't imagine why they would have tuned into the race in the first place," he said.

[jks812]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

I may be wrong but I think Kyle Petty just used the "F-bomb" a few weeks ago ?????

Yes he did. But Nascar said that when the wreck happened where he said the f word, they went to commercial. When they came back the tape was played where he said that. Nascar said it wasn't Kyle's fault that TNT ( I think or was it Fox) played the tape knowing that was on there and didn't beep it out.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

it wasn't an off-hand "slip" like Jr's .. tony looked directly at the camera with "that" look in his eye as he carefully measured each word. I think he was challenging NASCAR.. it's obvious the media doesn't care. the only question is whether NASCAR takes up the challenge.

I think most will agree that it was carefully planned to drop it in at the very end just to raise the ire of his non-fans. The $10K and 25 points would seem quite fair to me.

[tkj24]

Robby Gordon was fined 35000 for saying Mikey was a piece of s**t on tv but can't find where he was fined points. This was prior to jr's s bomb.

[kcoruol]

Tony has anger issues.

What's with his tirade about announcers not climbing the fence. What could the guy say? Let's talk about your racing.

[wingkey1]

Tony unfortunately is an emotional time bomb. The current environment of - microphone in the face the instant a driver is available - while not easy for anyone, is particularly unfortunate for him.

The potential for much, much worse continues to be there. He sees enemies all around.

[Racer Duck]

if he'd stop swinging at them he might find they are really friends coming to his aid...

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by wingkey1

Tony unfortunately is an emotional time bomb. The current environment of - microphone in the face the instant a driver is available - while not easy for anyone, is particularly unfortunate for him.

The potential for much, much worse continues to be there. He sees enemies all around.

Like any of lifes issues you first have to want to deal with it. A while back he did try to deal with it and was successful. At that point I started to see a difference and was close to enjoying his attitude. He obviously gets some type of rush from being the way he is. Yesterdays comment was very calculated. Almost as if he has been waiting to pop out the B.S. word. Yesterday he felt the moment was right to slam his non-fans. I have no issue with making shots to those that don't like him but there are better ways to do it during a victory interview.

Once again Tony has proven his value to me.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Like any of lifes issues you first have to want to deal with it. A while back he did try to deal with it and was successful. At that point I started to see a difference and was close to enjoying his attitude. He obviously gets some type of rush from being the way he is. Yesterdays comment was very calculated. Almost as if he has been waiting to pop out the B.S. word. Yesterday he felt the moment was right to slam his non-fans. I have no issue with making shots to those that don't like him but there are better ways to do it during a victory interview.

Once again Tony has proven his value to me.

and that is?

[Phils20]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

if he'd stop swinging at them he might find they are really friends coming to his aid...

That is quite true. I do like Tony, but he makes it hard at times. I'm sure he thinks that he was standing up for his fans, but he actually makes it harder.

Instead if being able to say "my driver won the brickyard", and being able to say it with a broad smile, now we have to say "he won, and I know that he is an idiot at times".

Couldn't he have just said, "thanks to my fans for sticking by me! This win is for you, and dedicated to the way you have stood by me, when everyone gives you a bunch of crap for it! "

That says the same thing, but doesn't get you fined. It could even help him keep up the "bad boy" image he seems to crave.

Ah well, I'm still glad he isn't one of those drivers who just gets out and recites the same canned speech week after week, but something has to give. It sure isn't gonna be NASCAR, and now he has given his critics even more ammo.

[Racer Duck]

Phils, I applaud you for being a loyal fan. I can see Tony's actions cause you pain. Thanks for showing us the other side.

It appears to me one of the few avenues open to get him pointed the right way is for the Coach to begin daily hands on time. It's becoming painfully obvious J.D. doesn't know how to manage his star driver and I don't think Zippy is the leader Tony needs as best friend and crew chief (nothing against Zippy, it's just Tony doesn't need a cheerleader and yes-man, he needs guidance from his best friend and I just don't see Zippy in that role.)

[Phils20]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

Phils, I applaud you for being a loyal fan. I can see Tony's actions cause you pain. Thanks for showing us the other side.

It appears to me one of the few avenues open to get him pointed the right way is for the Coach to begin daily hands on time. It's becoming painfully obvious J.D. doesn't know how to manage his star driver and I don't think Zippy is the leader Tony needs as best friend and crew chief (nothing against Zippy, it's just Tony doesn't need a cheerleader and yes-man, he needs guidance from his best friend and I just don't see Zippy in that role.)

Agreed. I think Joe Gibbs being gone from the tracks on the weekend has been bad for Tony. Lke a lot of todays Stars, he just walks all over people. I know that when he got better a few years ago, that his team just told him to shape up, and Zippy had a big hand in that.

But it hasn't stuck.

I'd love to see Gibbs walk away from coaching and get back to the track. It would be the best way for him to protect his investment. It's only been a race or two since he had his sit down with him about the Hamlin incident.

I need to see a more consisitent Tony. I don't know that any big meltdown is coming, since this weekends deal was obvioulsy planned, but it is bad for his image.

He can be himself, and stay within the rules, that is all we ask.

Hopefully he can manage that!

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

and that is?

Ironically his value to me varies depending on what it is we are discussing. His value as a driver is high because he has the ability and desire to win. Unfortunately his ways of doing it versus the ways he could do it differ. He has the equipment and ability to win fair and square. There is no need for him to ram another car out of the way.

His value as a representative of NASCAR could be immense also. He chooses to say stupid things.

Couldn't he have just said, "thanks to my fans for sticking by me! This win is for you, and dedicated to the way you have stood by me, when everyone gives you a bunch of crap for it! "

What Phil said is true but I think the larger impact would be to not recognize those who criticize him at all. The more you antagonize people the more you hear from them because they now know for sure that they are bothering you.

Overall his value to me is very low but it is based mostly on his attitude toward the entire fan base. If he would just shut his mouth and let his abilities talk for him his fan base would be much larger.

[Racer Duck]

as my pappy always said: "keep your mouth shut and they'll think you're an idiot, but open it and you'll remove all doubt!" (wasn't ever sure how to take that, but it seemed like good advice.)

[Phils20]

Both very good points!

But he is what he is. I just hope he gets it one day!

By the way RD, I finally clicked that press one for English. Too funny! Curiosity finally won me over!

Now back on topic!