Will Auto Racers, Government, Take on NASCAR?

Mark's View: Will Auto Racers, Government Take on NASCAR?

Last week, auto racer drivers boycotted a race. The race, to take place at Texas Motor Speedway, was canceled just hours before the start, because of the driver's questions as to safety of the track. The postponement resulted in a public relations black eye to CART, the racing organization sanctioning the event and earned the ire of 57,000 fans who paid to watch the race and the millions expected to watch in on television.

Officials of NASCAR, the premiere auto racing organization, take note. It is possible that your drivers are not going to put up with the inaction, evasion and insular power structure. And your siege mentality regarding the Dale Earnhardt investigation may be just the catalyst needed.

A CBS Sportsline writer says: "amazingly, . . . there still remains no organized way for drivers to discuss any concerns and present their thoughts to the sanctioning body. . . . It's still hard to believe that all racing series don't have some sort of drivers' organization, ready to present a united front when necessary.

To put it mildly, NASCAR has not been as open as they can be regarding the investigation of the Earnhardt death. They cling to the idea that it was an improper seat belt that caused the injuries, while some evidence points to the other direction. I am not saying what is right, but NASCAR seems to have the door closed to providing a full and fair opportunity to come with a final determination.

Individual drivers have said little about this, possibly because they do not want to incur the wrath of NASCAR executives. As individual athletes, they do not have a union to speak for them on this subject. Nor do they have a strong association. Maybe that is what they need. They make take a lesson from their CART brethren.

At this point, the government has not been active in aiding the investigation or enacting rules to improve safety for drivers and fans. That may happen sooner than later. In a poll done by Fox Sports Net, 82 percent felt that NASCAR was not doing all it can to improve safety, but rather is "dragging its feet."

Source:

CBS Sportsline, May 1, 2001