NASCAR’s golden boy crossed the finish line first just when the sport needed him most, ending a 76-race winless streak that pushed all of the sports’ problems to the backburner. Only problem is, Junior’s win in Michigan is a just brief respite from NASCAR’s troubling issues.
By the time his beer-soaked firesuit dries, NASCAR will be forced to deal with its whiny drivers, weakening economy and that ugly US$225-million harassment and discrimination lawsuit.
NASCAR has already addressed the constantly complaining drivers, who seemingly gripe about everything under the sun these days. From the difficulty in driving NASCAR’s new car, the heat inside the cockpit on a warm day, long races, an even longer schedule and little to no time off, someone has found something to whine about every single week.
NASCAR finally said ‘Enough!’ and pulled every driver in Michigan together for a hastily called lecture in which president Mike Helton reminded the millionaires in the room just how lucky they’ve got it.
NASCAR can’t censor the drivers - well, officials technically can, and many believe they do through questionable calls and thorough inspections - but it defeats the season-opening message of allowing personalities to shine this year. In silencing the stars, NASCAR is dumbing down the passion and emotions that the fans yearn to see.
At the same time, though, the weekly whining by a bunch of rich men racing cars for a living might be a bit of a slap in the face to the many Americans currently feeling the economic pinch. Although television ratings are up this year, at-track attendance is down as families struggle to afford even one day at the races, let alone an entire weekend or
multiple events this summer.
The hard times aren’t exclusive to the fans, either. Many teams are feeling the pinch as sponsorship opportunities dwindle and very little new money is coming into the sport.
Multiple teams are jockeying for recycled business, while others are forced to fund cars out of their own pockets.
It’s created an air of nervousness around the garage, where teams such as Michael Waltrip Racing face weekly whispers of mounting financial problems.
If all that wasn’t enough, NASCAR is battling claims from former technical inspector Mauricia Grant, who alleges she’s a victim of sexual harassment, gender and racial discrimination and retaliatory termination in a $225 million lawsuit filed last week.
The 40-page document paints a lurid picture of an alleged “all-boys network” that has little tolerance for blacks or women and revives all the stereotypes that have long plagued a sport steeped in Southern traditions.
It’s commendable to see France fighting so vigorously to defend guidelines established under his watch. But for it to be truly effective, France needs to decide if he’s in or if he’s out when it comes to the every day issues plaguing his sport.
| 
|