Driver solidarity gets Nascar moving
The mobilization of drivers to pay Tony Stewart's fine for criticizing Nascar has borne fruit: Nascar has decided to change the regulations in question.
Tony Stewart is a major figure in NASCAR. He is not only a three-time champion of the sport but also co-owner, with Gene Haas, of his own team. Although he has decided to retire from driving at the end of the season, he missed the first eight races due to an accident in another discipline during the off-season.
He made his return to competition last weekend and did not go unnoticed. He, in fact, criticized Nascar regarding recurring tire issues during the first races of the season. The driver suggested that these issues were linked to teams attempting to save time during tire changes by securing only four of the five nuts, which obviously impacts the safety of both drivers and spectators.
NASCAR considered it a challenge to the sport and a public disparagement, which is prohibited by the sport’s regulations. Therefore, it decided to impose a $35,000 fine.
But the other drivers in the field felt that their colleague was within his rights and that his remarks were justified. The Drivers’ Council, which includes nine drivers such as 2015 champion Kyle Busch or six-time champion Jimmie Johnson, has announced that its members will share the payment of the fine.
Denny Hamlin, the 2010 runner-up, told NBC: “As drivers, we believe Tony has the right to express his opinion on matters impacting a sport he spent nearly two decades building as a driver and owner. While we don’t support drivers who openly denigrate NASCAR, we believe Tony was within his rights to speak up. As a Council, we support him and disagree with the fine. Therefore, the council members decided to equally share the payment of his fine.”
It seems that the pilots’ mobilization has paid off since Nascar has since sent a memo to all teams stating that it is now mandatory for all five lug nuts to be properly attached at all times.
This episode therefore arrives in the United States at a time when F1 drivers have also decided to speak out publicly to demand changes in the regulations of their sport. Such a stance was duly received by Bernie Ecclestone, who had stated that the drivers were just windbags and should keep quiet.
Nico Rosberg had then responded with humor by publishing the photo below of the dinner gathering most of the drivers before the Chinese Grand Prix, with a clear reference to Bernie Ecclestone’s remarks:
or in Bernie’s words: #windbagsunited pic.twitter.com/abZjCTVv26
— Nico Rosberg (@nico_rosberg) April 13, 2016
It remains to be seen whether the protest will gain momentum or if it will remain ineffective. The fact that team directors still have not agreed on the 2017 regulations is not a sign that things are moving in the right direction…
With the participation of www.racingbusiness.fr
