Grizz Posted October 6, 2008 Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 Is there anyone else out there that thinks the Talladega race was a little controversial? I for one was in shock. First off, Goodyear really needs to do something about their tires, or NASCAR really needs to consider letting some other tire manufacturer's into the sport. I was astonished at the number of blown tires on the right side of the cars, both front and rear. And what get's me the most is Goodyear has known, this entire season, that they have had tire issues and have done what looks to be nothing about the situation. How much money are teams going to have to shell out to fix their cars b/c of blown tires for Goodyear to say, "We'll do it right."? Secondly, the finish. I agree with the rule NASCAR mandates saying you cannot pass below the yellow line to improve a position, but for them to come out and say that the 01 wasnt forced to the bottom of the track is hilarious!!! If he wouldn't have moved to the apron he would have spun and wrecked Stewart who would have in turn started to whine and complain about it, probably leaving DEI with some kind of fine for rough driving or something stupid like that. And for more than one driver to say that they have heard that passing below the yellow line with the checkers in site is and has been allowed, why change the rule now? I expected the "BIG ONE" to happen in yesterdays race, but I didnt expect a horrible tire put out from Goodyear and NASCAR leaving a huge GREY area once again in their rule book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VABuckSlayer Posted October 6, 2008 Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 It is just a continuation of Nascar deciding who they want to win. Smith was forced below the yellow line and should have been the winner. After this ruling... I would think the next driver that goes for the win would just let Stewart spin across the front of his car and wreck for blocking and not go below the yellow line. Guess it's better to wreck the leader then race him clean in Nascar's eyes. It's pathetic and just another example of why I don't care much for Nascar racing anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizz Posted October 6, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 I agree. I use to love watching the race on sunday or saturday night and couldn't wait for the next race. Now I turn it on and wait to catch the last 15-20 laps and look for the recap to catch everything that happened within the race. And now its to the point I dont even like to catch the end of the race b/c of all the griping and complaining that goes on when driver's get interviewed. The COT was something that needed more time to develop IMO, b/c NASCAR certainly doesnt have a grasp on it yet and I dont see them getting one for some time to come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted October 6, 2008 Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 It is just a continuation of Nascar deciding who they want to win. Smith was forced below the yellow line and should have been the winner. After this ruling... I would think the next driver that goes for the win would just let Stewart spin across the front of his car and wreck for blocking and not go below the yellow line. Guess it's better to wreck the leader then race him clean in Nascar's eyes. It's pathetic and just another example of why I don't care much for Nascar racing anymore. Amen!!!!! And to top it off, Smith finished 18th, last car on the lead lap according to an article I read a little bit ago, WTH????? If he didn't win, he should ahve at least been second or third Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backwoods07 Posted October 6, 2008 Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 Amen!!!!! And to top it off, Smith finished 18th, last car on the lead lap according to an article I read a little bit ago, WTH????? If he didn't win, he should ahve at least been second or third Agreed. The drive through penalty for passing below the yellow line that cost him 16-17 spots should not be enforced in situations like that. NASCAR officials need to get their head out of their butts. He had his front end even with Stewart's rear quarter when Stewart tried to block the bottom line. If he didn't dive below the line, Stewart would still be spinning. How many blown tires were there? 4 or 5? They caused about 20 cars to wreck and Hamlin an overnight trip to the hospital. I understand all the debris from bump drafting may have played a part, but from what I remember, all tires blown were on the right side?!? I hope they don't wait until someone is seriously injured to realize they might need to work on their tires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NY_Bowhunter14 Posted October 7, 2008 Report Share Posted October 7, 2008 rules are rules, no passing below the yellow line... and smith DID do that, Tony did force him down, but he then gave Regan the room well before the finish line to get back up on the track, which he did, so he shoulda let tony get a nose infront of him then attempt to pass him again... you pass below the yellow line and don't give the spot back, its a pass through, which under green would have put him a lap down, so Smith got lucky in just finishing 18th... because he would finished worse if it happened under green... bottom line, Stewart won, Stewart shoulda won, NASCAR made the right call for once... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted October 7, 2008 Report Share Posted October 7, 2008 Well I don't know what race the NASCAR officials were watching, because it clearly wasn't the Talladega race .... :eek: Here's NASCARS statement concerning the 01 being below the yellow line .. :confused: " NASCAR statement on 01's pass below the yellow line " At Sunday's drivers' meeting, NASCAR reiterated the rule about passing under the yellow line and provided the same information to all drivers and crew chiefs in a hand out, as it has done in past Daytona and Talladega races. The verbatim language is ... This is your warning: race above the yellow line. If, in NASCAR's judgment, you go below the yellow line to improve your position, you will be black-flagged. If in NASCAR's judgment you force someone below the yellow line (in an effort to stop him from passing you), you may be black-flagged. "During the last lap of [sunday's] race at Talladega Superspeedway the driver of the No. 01 violated NASCAR policy by driving under the yellow line to improve his position," NASCAR president Mike Helton said. "In NASCAR's opinion he was not forced below the yellow line. NASCAR correctly took immediate action to enforce the policy by penalizing the No. 01 and scoring the No. 20 as the race winner. Helton concluded by saying ... "Since the end of the race there has been some confusion as to what is allowable during the last lap at Daytona and Talladega. To be clear, as we go forward, there will be no passing under the yellow line at any time during NASCAR races at Daytona or Talladega, period. This includes any passing below the yellow line near the start/finish line on the final lap." Nascar BLEW another call ... so whats new .. :rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Kat Posted October 7, 2008 Report Share Posted October 7, 2008 It was bogus....Anyone who doesn't see the 20 try to run smith down is blind....NOT TO MENTION HE ADMITTED IT IN THE POST RACE INTERVIEW!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VABuckSlayer Posted October 7, 2008 Report Share Posted October 7, 2008 Mike Helton just made a disaster for next year at the Daytona 500. You will see the leader being wrecked on the last lap from now on. Guess that will make for exciting TV. I'd be really curious as to what Nascar's call would have been if it were Dale Jr. or Jeff Gordon making that pass and not Smith? You may have seen a different call! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizz Posted October 7, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2008 Yeah, I'm guessing we'll see the leader being wrecked a bit more often now, especially at the super speedways. For nascar to say that stewart didnt block smith down below the yellow line is comical. I totally agree that things would have been different if it had been a Jr. or Gordon making that same move, the outcome would have been different. But b/c it was just Smith nascar said nope you can't do that. And you know if nascar would have changed their ruling Stewart would have flipped out. Who knows maybe he would have spouted off about how he may retire, like he did one time before when he didnt get his way. I for one wouldn't mind, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Kat Posted October 7, 2008 Report Share Posted October 7, 2008 Ya personally I was disappointed mostly cause I wanted to see Tony beat on his steering wheel and whine a lil more lol. What a putz! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrud Posted October 8, 2008 Report Share Posted October 8, 2008 Mike Helton just made a disaster for next year at the Daytona 500. You will see the leader being wrecked on the last lap from now on. And what stinks about NASCRAP is that if you wreck someone, there is no penalty. In real racing, if you wreck someone, they get their spot back (unless the pit for damage) and you go to the back of the field. The yellow line rule is a bad one. No driver in their right mind, except for Kyle Busch, would try to pass on the apron of the track. Because like Kyle Busch, you will end up wrecking someone else or yourself. Drivers know enough not to pass down there. You should let them do what they want, especially on the straights. There is no other rule like that at any other track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfoot22 Posted October 8, 2008 Report Share Posted October 8, 2008 It is just a continuation of Nascar deciding who they want to win. Smith was forced below the yellow line and should have been the winner. After this ruling... I would think the next driver that goes for the win would just let Stewart spin across the front of his car and wreck for blocking and not go below the yellow line. Guess it's better to wreck the leader then race him clean in Nascar's eyes. It's pathetic and just another example of why I don't care much for Nascar racing anymore. Nascar is becoming to act like the Kremlin.I think a lot of fans don't care for it anymore.Hey,The county domino champonship is this sunday,That's what I'll be watching.More exciting than nascar and they don't have the head KGB(Mike Helton) making up rules as you go. Or maybe just stick with the NFL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rad_112176 Posted October 8, 2008 Report Share Posted October 8, 2008 I may be in the minority here, but if you go onto NASCAR's web site and look at the still photos from where Stewart was when Smith was coming up on him to where he was when he was under him he is in almost the same spot off the yellow line. Does this mean that he came down a little before Smith got there to block his run, well probably, isn't that what racing at Dega is about. You will also notice that Smith had his right side tires below the line before he even got to Tony. I was at the race and our seats were in turn 2 so we had a pretty good view of the situation. Smith could have tried to pass on the outside, but knew that pass could not be pulled off with the conditions that day. He could have also decided to lift and take his second place, but decided to continue his run. That is why he tried to go under Tony hoping he would come up the track a little and he wouldn't have to stay below the yellow line throughout the pass. There were a few guys out there that thought it was ok to pass below the line, but Smith didn't say anything about that until after he tried to plead his case that he was forced below the line by Tony. Now, i don't know if i agree that he was moved all the way back to 18th, but rules are rules and they are there for a reason. In my opinion it was a good race. Didn't like Edwards getting a little to aggresive in the middle of a turn and taking out Jr, but i don't think it was on purpose. Edwards appologized and said he may have been a little aggresive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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