Fudging the rules a NASCAR tradition

[Mom23boys]

Fudging the rules a NASCAR tradition

By PAUL NEWBERRY

HAMPTON, Ga. (AP) - NASCAR has sent a clear message that it won't tolerate cheating.

Just don't expect a change of heart in garage.

Fudging the rules is part of the sport's culture, and no one expects that to change even with the severe penalties handed down by NASCAR this week. Three crew chiefs were suspended and Jimmie Johnson lost his points lead for various infractions at the last race in Las Vegas.

``This sport has always been about 'you make the rules and I'll try to beat you,''' Kyle Petty said Friday, even as the inspectors swarmed through the garage at Atlanta Motor Speedway looking for possible infractions.

``It's like being married. Some days you can just sit around in front of the TV. Some days you can't,'' Petty said. ``When there's a blatant disregard for the rules, NASCAR steps in. What they're telling you is: We're still your wife.''

From the earliest days, drivers and mechanics have looked for ways to increase speeds without running afoul of the inspectors. It's a game of cat and mouse with no clearly defined boundaries because the NASCAR rulebook is notorious for its vagueness.

According to Petty, racing is just following the lead of most other sports.

In baseball, infielders learn they can turn double plays without actually touching second base, cutting a little time off their throws to first. In basketball, officials could call palming on virtually every dribble. In football, offensive linemen are constantly testing the limits on how much holding they can get away with.

``That's the same way our sport is,'' Petty said. ``At any given time, you could walk through that garage, follow the letter of the law and bust almost any team for something. But they don't do that. It's part of the game.''

Back on the track, Ryan Newman won his fifth straight pole at Atlanta, turning a lap of 194.690 mph Friday night as temperatures dipped into the upper 40s. It was the 29th career pole for Newman.

Bobby Hamilton Jr. turned in the best qualifying run of his career, putting up the second-fastest speed (193.785) to earn a front-row spot alongside Newman for Sunday's Golden Corral 500.

As for those who break the rules, NASCAR is clearly trying to send a message that some things are out of bounds.

Johnson's winning car at Las Vegas failed to pass inspection after the race, falling short of the minimum height requirement. NASCAR suspended his crew chief, Chad Knaus, for two races and docked Johnson 25 points in the standings, dropping him behind defending series champion Kurt Busch.

Alan Gustafson, crew chief for Kyle Busch, also received a two-week suspension when the runner-up car was found to be too high after the race.

But NASCAR saved the most severe punishment for Todd Berrier, crew chief for Kevin Harvick. Berrier received a four-week suspension for rigging the fuel tank to appear full when it actually wasn't during qualifying - knowing a lighter car could run faster.

Doing nothing to mitigate his infraction, Berrier admitted he would probably do it again if he had the chance because he now realizes how he was caught by inspectors.

All three crew chiefs, who received hefty fines as well, appealed their suspensions, clearing them to stay with their teams this week. But only Knaus and Gustafson were in Atlanta - Berrier began serving his penalty, knowing his only hope was to reduce the length of his suspension, not wipe it out altogether.

``We know that he did wrong and he knows he did wrong,'' car owner Richard Childress said. ``We deserve a penalty, but not the amount that we got.''

Childress criticized NASCAR for its policy of taking points away from the drivers for infractions committed by their crews. ``Most of the time, the drivers have no clue what's going on,'' he said.

Knaus and Gustafson complained about being called cheaters.

``It's offensive to me and offensive to this team,'' Gustafson said. ``We earned that (second-place finish at Las Vegas). It's not that we were doing anything directly to get that advantage.''

But seven-time Cup champion Richard Petty couldn't help but chuckle when he was asked about maintaining the sport's integrity.

``Everybody knows everybody does it,'' the King said. ``Some get caught. Some don't. That's part of the magic of racing: trying to get away with every little bit you can.''
03/19/05

[dolphin]

Well, I think it is wrong for them to have an unfair advantage by trickery.

I have recently started watching the nascar races and it makes me mad when I find out they cheated.

[PurpleButterfly]

Great article Michelle, thanks for sharing. I knew Harvicks crew was busted i just didnt know about the others. LOL, that seems to fit the story...

[Darlene]

Thanks for the story Michelle. Although following the rules isn't right, these types of infractions don't bother me as much as someone compromising anothers safety. Pretty good bunch overall in the world of racing.