The Best Seat at the Track, The Best View on the Net!
July 16th, 2014
Volume VIII, Edition CXV
by Ashley McCubbin
Chase For The Sprint Cup Drivers To Have Special Paint Schemes During Chase
NASCAR announced on Tuesday that the No. 51 NASCAR Camping World Truck of Kyle Busch Motorsports has been penalized for a rule infraction that was found during post-race inspection at Iowa Speedway last weekend. Read more.
Today's Featured Commentary
Listen! Do you hear that? What's that whirring sound?
Now that the organizational gauntlet has been thrown down by the biggest of the big in NASCAR Sprint Cup racing, one can only guess how NASCAR Nation will define such amorphous terms as "product", "costs," and "agreement." Such vague and abstract concepts often turn into fightin' words….
Good thing race teams have, with NASCAR's blessing, formed a collective that will represent the needs of those who compete for championships and put meat in the seats every week.
And the crowd asks "Huh?"
Many bytes have already been uploaded regarding the nature of the Race Team Alliance (RTA) and its connection to collectives and unions. Maybe the whirring sound we hear is from hard drives and newspaper presses cranking out updates and editorials addressing the question of "What do labor unions mean in conjunction with NASCAR?"
Been there, done that. I studied the strained relationships between NASCAR and organized labor while writing my first book about the sport way back in 1997 (see Chapter Three in From Moonshine to Madison Avenue: A Cultural History of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series published by The University of Wisconsin/Popular Press).
We've limped down the organized labor road before. First there was Curtis Turner, Tim Flock and an effort by the Teamsters in the early 1960's to organize NASCAR drivers (in part because Turner needed financial help to complete construction of what would become Charlotte Motor Speedway). By the end of that decade, there was a clandestine meeting of "big name" competitors like Richard Petty, Bobby Allison, and Cale Yarborough at a hotel in Ann Arbor, Michigan, which led to the creation of the Professional Drivers Association. This was the group that refused to race at the newly-completed Talladega Superspeedway because of safety concerns over Firestone tires that would not last for more than a few laps given the excessive pressures and temperatures experienced at such high speeds.
Maybe the whirring sound we hear is the chamber in the pistol that "Big Bill" France wielded at a drivers' meeting at Bowman-Gray Stadium in a threat to those who sought to align themselves with the Teamsters. Then again, maybe the whirring sound is from the tires on Mario Andretti's Ford as "Big Bill" turned laps at Talladega to demonstrate that his new track was not as dangerous as Petty and his PDA brethren believed.
The results of all these confrontations were brutally clear: the Teamsters went back to Chicago, Curtis Turner and Tim Flock were banned "for life" until their return benefitted NASCAR, the PDA members left Alabama the night before the inaugural event at Talladega, and "Big Bill" France remained solidly in charge of the sport he both created and controlled.
As Mel Brooks once said: "It's good to be the king…."
It's important to remember, however, that NASCAR drivers managed to achieve some positive changes in the sport thanks to their threatened collectivization. One demand from those in the PDA was improved "creature comforts" at racetracks on the then-Grand National circuit; these included such amenities as bathrooms and better garage areas. Working under your car while lying on dirt and gravel wasn't acceptable to the teams that fought for titles and put fans in the stands, nor was the prospect of lining up at a couple of portable toilets every time nature called.
Maybe, then, the whirring sound we hear is from the socket sets and air wrenches used by hard-working mechanics in order to maintain a competitive stock car….
Improved working conditions are at the center of collective bargaining agreements, so Brian France – given his experience with the entertainment industry – should be fully aware of what NASCAR seems to be getting into. The entertainment business is full of unions/collective organizations; everyone from musicians to writers to stagehands to performers is represented by some form of organizational unit.
Ever wonder why "reality-based" programs are so prevalent on national television? It all stems back to writers' and actors' strikes that increased the costs of making "fictional" shows like dramas and situation comedies.
Organized labor should – in theory, at least – keep the finished product both on-time and on-budget. Unfortunately, as has been the case, we see that organization sometimes results in a less-than-economical result.
So what's the "finished product" according to NASCAR and the RTA? If better competition and lower costs are the focus, as has been the mantra of the RTA thus far, is it realistic to expect more teams in Victory Lane and fewer mega-sponsors? Both Brad Keselowski and Jimmie Johnson have dominated races in 2014 and sit squarely in the Chase…. How will an organized front change their fortunes and provide fans with a better show?
This is where the RTA differs from the PDA and other organizational efforts: the emphasis is on the teams, not just the drivers. Stock car drivers are little more than chauffeurs – cogs in a larger organizational mechanism that aims to win races and season championships. While big name athletes like Keselowski and Johnson have souvenirs emblazoned with their images, names, and car numbers, they are still an individual part of a bigger operation. Brad Keselowski may have fully dominated Sunday's race at New Hampshire, but he did so as an employee of Penske Racing.
Whereas the PDA sought improved conditions for drivers, the RTA is more about the administrators who keep the NASCAR train moving. For every driver or pit crew member, there is someone who oversees travel plans and/or manages the day-to-day business of a race team. This is where costs turn into financial demands, and where those financial demands turn into improved management through efficiency.
So maybe the whirring sound we hear comes from cash registers keeping track of the income and out-go of finances as NASCAR race teams search for the winner's circle and a seat at the head table in Las Vegas come December.
All speculation about the RTA seems antithetical when pitted against the original position regarding organized labor held by NASCAR founder "Big Bill" France. It was "Big Bill" who, according to folklore, waved a pistol around at Bowman-Gray Stadium when drivers first considered a collectivized effort. It was France Sr. who challenged the PDA at Talladega in 1969 and told top-notch drivers like Petty and Allison to load up their cars and go home. One can only speculate what "Big Bill" would have to say about the newly-formed RTA.
That explains the whirring sound! It's what's left of "Big Bill" France spinning in his grave….
Mark Howell is a Contributor for Frontstretch.com. He can be reached via e-mail at mark.howell@frontstretch.com.ADVERTISEMENT
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Tweet 'N' Greet
Editor's Note: With the NASCAR Twitter community expanding by leaps and bounds, it remains a place for instantaneous news, reactions, and a whole lot of inside jokes. We understand if you don't want to join the Twitter community - but as a fan, it's important to know the news and info you're missing out on! That's why, every week, Allen Bedgood will sort through the thousands of messages and give us a little taste of what's going on each Wednesday.
@DaleJr - Headed to@NHMS in the AM. Feels like I haven't raced in a month. Looking forward to cutting some laps in practice and hanging with my crew.
@NHMS - Every time@DaleJr mentions us, our@TweetDeck feed blows up!#LoveTheAttention :)
@ClintBowyer - Nothing better than a good ole short track!@TRoadSpeedbowlpic.twitter.com/7InVhVi6QM
@BubbaWallace - Badass. Badass. Badass. Badass. Badass. Badass. Badass. Badass. Badass. Badass. Badass. Badass. Badass. Badass. Badass. Badass#Transformers
@KevinSwindell - Hell of an@indyraceparts car tonight@EldoraSpeedway 4th is really good considering this happened about halfway...pic.twitter.com/DsJGUoCl91
@Matt_Crafton - I think she is ready.http://instagram.com/p/qX3ysPATjM/
@DaleJr - Nothing like a Saturday night at your local short track.@JRMotorsports@joshberry@WilliamByronpic.twitter.com/tTf3k5Fr3i
@Josh_Wise - She is ready to rock and roll at Racine.#iamspecialized#shivhttp://instagram.com/p/qcjM6eo-xJ/
@dcaraviello - Pretty clear Nationwide race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is set for a while w/ today's announcement of Eli Lilly as "multi-year" sponsor.
@IMS - The@jeffgordonweb 1994 Brickyard 400 car has made it to@IMS! Come on out!#SuperWeekend#NASCARpic.twitter.com/mHLw2og4XQ
@BMSupdates - Ease into the work week? Not here! Work continues at The Last Great Colosseum.#NASCAR r... pic.twitter.com/3Hmpl4PHpI
@GoodyearRacing - Congratulations to@Keselowski on his@NHMS sweep over the weekend!#NASCARpic.twitter.com/oP97PdawwW
@Kenny_Wallace - Someone tweeted; "a good day is when you put you're phone down" LOL, LOL. Of course they picked their phone up to tweet that
@Scott_Paddock - It's Race Week@ChicagolndSpdwy#NASCARpic.twitter.com/P2YvYau8Ko
@MartySmithESPN - ATTENTION: If you have a NASCAR-themed tattoo, pls send me photography of it & share w/ me the story behind it!
Email: ESPNSider@aol.com
@PhoenixRaceway - Updated Chase Grid:@keselowski moves past@JimmieJohnson for P1 after his dominating win on Sunday.#NASCARpic.twitter.com/skcGzV1nMl
@JDMotorsports01 - "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall" - Unknown
@NASCAR NEWS: - Chase for the#NASCAR Sprint Cup cars will have special paint scheme elements ->http://nas.cr/w513
@dustinlong - #NASCAR … Team Penske thrives while saving tests for end of year:http://bit.ly/1p2nX4n
@TeamHendrick - Are you on Snapchat? So are we. Add us.pic.twitter.com/WFmjVwZBt5
@MissSprintCup - It's a packed house here@Team_Penske this morning to celebrate@keselowski's third win of the season! -JWpic.twitter.com/gTZqiXZ2Gz
@JeffGordonWeb - Sad to hear about Gary Lee's passing. He was a special friend & very important part of@ESPN's "Thunder" broadcasts.pic.twitter.com/ukKtApTrVS
@Hockensomethin - Traffic headed into charlotte this morning....to think we are 20 miles north of charlotte too#77suckspic.twitter.com/SI71JneB7q
@RyanBlaney22 - Just crowd surfed and yes, it's as awesome as it sounds/looks. Thanks@DiscountTire employes.
@kaitlynnvincie - I wonder if I am the only girl in America who doesn't give a damn about the Bachelorette. Find love the real way people.
@BubbaWallace - New addition to the apartment. Found a perfect place for it...Whatcha think@RyanBlaney22
Allen Bedgood is a Photographer and Newsletter Contributor for Frontstretch. He can be reached via email at allen.bedgood@frontstretch.com. Follow him on Twitter @AllenBedgood. ~~~~~~~~~~
GOT A NASCAR QUESTION OR COMMENT? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
That's right; our Fan Q & A column is back once again in 2014. Send your question Summer Bedgood's way at summer.bedgood@frontstretch.com and if you're lucky, you'll get your name in print on Thursday when she does her weekly column. It's all part of our daily mission to give back to you – the fans that keep Frontstretch afloat!
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TODAY ON THE FRONTSTRETCH:
by Phil Allaway
FRONTSTRETCH TRIVIA
Q: Team Penske's Gil de Ferran dominated the 2001 Molson Indy Toronto, leading 49 laps. However, he was eliminated with a little less than 20 laps to go. What happened?
Check back Thursday for the answer, here in the Frontstretch Newsletter!
Tuesday's Answer:
Coming tomorrow in the Frontstretch Newsletter:
-- Top News from Phil Allaway
-- Critic's Annex by Phil Allaway
-- Potts' Shots by John Potts
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Tomorrow on the Frontstretch:
Vito returns to the website this week with his unique views on everything racing.
Kevin returns with a look at the statistical side of NASCAR. This week, Kevin checks out how the Cup Series is shaping as the series heads into its final off-week.
Tech Talk by Mike Neff
Mike is back with your look at the technical side of NASCAR. This week, Mike will talk to NCWTS Doug Randolph as the team preps for the 1800CarCash Mudsummer Classic.
Fantasy Insider by Jeff Wolfe
This week, Jeff checks in with a look at the season thus far and what the rest of the year might mean for your team.
Truckin' Thursdays by Beth Lunkenheimer
This week, Beth is back with a look at more of the moments in series history that stand out the most.
Got something to say about an article you've seen in the newsletter? It's as easy as replying directly to this message or sending an email to editors@frontstretch.com. We'll take the best comments and publish them here!
©2014 Frontstretch.com
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