[vincesanity82]

Saying NASCAR needed to "be very careful not to stymie personalities," Chairman Brian France is reviewing the recent policy of levying heavy points penalties and fines for cursing and postrace shoving. Jeff Gordon singled out Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch as two stars who have become gun-shy since being embroiled in such controversies. "Now Tony doesn't knock cameras out of the way, and you don't hear him getting riled up," Gordon said. "Kurt Busch says everything perfect like the interview is scripted. I miss the old Kurt Busch. It's keeping him out of trouble, so it probably works out better for him. "But for the sport, it takes away from the entertainment. Fans want to see personalities become a big part of this sport." -- USA Today

Johnson, other drivers finding comfort zone in NYC - USATODAY.com

[Quality88]

Did I read that article right?

[Souporscotty]

"Now Tony doesn't knock cameras out of the way, and you don't hear him getting riled up," Gordon said. "Kurt Busch says everything perfect like the interview is scripted. I miss the old Kurt Busch".
Yeah, they're not the 'Wild Man' you are. Huh, Jeff. WTF?

[PenelopePitStop]

Tough call.

Jr. getting fined as severly as he did for saying sh*t was over the top.

The Harvick/JPM shoving match?

Tony's pushing a camera man? Tony getting fined for not fullfilling his post-race media obligations (because he was so pi$$ed)? Probably a good idea.

I don't know, guys. These people are human beings. Go back through the annals of NASCAR history, and you will witness fisticuffs and trash-mouth talk the likes you'll never see today.

I want to see drivers speak their minds ... get a bit riled when warranted.

HOWEVER, Kurt Busch's behavior toward Stewart on Pit Lane was dangerous and unforgivable. No driver, under any circumstance should hit, or threaten to hit, another driver out of anger. Who was it this season that intentionally hit another driver coming off Pit Lane? Whoever it was, he smacked right into the driver's door. I play no favorites. Even if it was Jr., I'd still have the same opinion.

[jks812]

Originally Posted by PenelopePitStop

Who was it this season that intentionally hit another driver coming off Pit Lane? Whoever it was, he smacked right into the driver's door. I play no favorites. Even if it was Jr., I'd still have the same opinion.

It was Carl coming off pit road and hitting Jr in the door.

[jks812]

I think they are trying to do away with the personalities. Thats why they can't say this, and they can't do this. They can't have their own opinion, which is why Tony got in trouble for talking about the cautions. When a driver can get in trouble for having an opinion I think Nascar has gone to far.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by jks812

It was Carl coming off pit road and hitting Jr in the door.

Edwards? Really? I was just starting to like him. Well, I guess he's on my sh*t list now.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by jks812

I think they are trying to do away with the personalities. Thats why they can't say this, and they can't do this. They can't have their own opinion, which is why Tony got in trouble for talking about the cautions. When a driver can get in trouble for having an opinion I think Nascar has gone to far.

As evidenced by the banquet. What a bunch of suck-ups!

Apparently, Brian France and the "playoffs" are the best thing to happen to NASCAR since the invention of the light bulb.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by vincesanity82

Saying NASCAR needed to "be very careful not to stymie personalities,"
shoving. Jeff Gordon singled out Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch as two stars who have become gun-shy since being embroiled in such controversies. "Now Tony doesn't knock cameras out of the way, and you don't hear him getting riled up," Gordon said. "Kurt Busch says everything perfect like the interview is scripted. I miss the old Kurt Busch. It's keeping him out of trouble, so it probably works out better for him. "But for the sport, it takes away from the entertainment. Fans want to see personalities become a big part of this sport." [b][i]-- USA Today

]

Hmmm...??? "Fans want to see personalities?" If this is true then why, whenever some driver does something out of the ordinary :
Junior saying "excrement"
Kurt giving his opinion
Kyle stating his opinion(s)
Tony calling NA__AR on its phantom yellow flags
Jeffie and Kenseth getting into a shoving match
Edwards threatening Kenseth
JPM showing a bit of arrogance

Why then when any of the above has happened, a sizable percentage of the fans (unfortunately including me in a couple of cases) go immediately into a critical mode and suggest penalties? DO we want to see personalities or do we want to see them ONLY when the actions agree with us?

Besides, I don't think NA__AR is the major culprit here. I think it's the sponsors. Only on rare occasions will a spokesman who isn't squeaky clean be a good representative.