Drivers should be professional enough to police themselves and refrain from using such offensive language, even in the heat of battle. They should be conscious of the fact that fans and others are listening and choose their words and rants more carefully.
What!?
Yearly we end up in this ridiculous debate about the language used over team radios. Someone, somewhere inevitably gets offended by an f-bomb or a tirade and some in the media pick it up as a cause célèbre.
In fact, TC wrote about it two years ago – in that case it was Kurt Busch getting into it with Roger Penske on the radio. As TC said at the time, “who cares.”
The debate ramped up this week after tirades from Martin Truex Jr. and you guessed it, Kurt Busch. Put together a lot of f-words and a lot of criticism of equipment and crews and you get the general idea about what was said.
The openness of crew communications in NASCAR makes it a great resource for fans and the media. In no other sport do you get easy, real time access to privileged communications between athletes and coaches (or in our case, crew chiefs). We’re provided with insights into team strategy, the highs of victory and in some cases the frustration of defeat.
With that privilege, we have to realize that these athletes have every right to express themselves for better or worse in some venue. The adrenaline and danger associated with this sport leads to the occasional understandable outburst. Not too long ago I heard a driver tell his crew they were “ruining [his] f****** career.” He didn’t necessarily mean that, but in the heat of the moment and the heat of the battle he was letting off steam.
And while you may or may not agree with the use of language, I think it’s hard to argue that these guys shouldn’t have an outlet to express what they’re feeling in the heat of battle. Saying that they need to moderate themselves is absolutely ridiculous.
Being in the car during a race is not an interview and is not really an environment that lends itself to “choosing words more carefully.”
I don’t think NASCAR should make radio traffic private – it really is one of the great things about the sport – but I think there needs to be a realization about the nature of the communications on those channels. And lets face it, the more complaining that’s done in public about what’s said on those channels the more likely the teams are to move to, or push for closed communication channels.
So the long and short of it is, if you don’t want to be offended by bad language, don’t listen.
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Heading to Talladega this weekend, we are getting ready to bear witness to a couple of newer phenomenon in NASCAR competition. The first of course is the new style restrictor-plate racing that dominated the day at Daytona in February. The tandem drafting will most likely be the name of the game again on both Saturday and Sunday at ‘Dega. And the second I’m referring to is the ability that drivers now have to talk to each other during the race. Racing Radios and Racing Electronics can now program systems in which the drivers can jump from their own radio frequency to that of another driver and actually communicate during the race. We saw it happen at Daytona because it allowed the drivers to better navigate the tandem drafting, but I’m not sure if it’s something that should be happening.
Some teams have had setups in the past where teammates could switch over their radios and talk to each other, but it didn’t happen often, and when it did it was usually under caution or at superspeedways. Now though, some drivers will have as many as 15-20 different drivers they will be able to talk directly with during the race.
I understand why some find it necessary, as with the tandem drafting and the “switch” that must take place periodically it can make things easier. But I question if discussing strategy and talking with competing drivers is really in tune with the spirit of competition. It can also create problems for spotters, crew chiefs, and crews.
Just as an example, when driver A jumps over to driver B’s channel, he can no longer hear radio traffic from his own channel. Any information that needs to be conveyed to the driver from the crew and crew chief must now be relayed through the spotters. It adds a level of complication to making adjustment and pit strategy calls that probably isn’t necessary. I’m wondering how long it will be before a driver needs to pit, or is calling out adjustments he needs to his crew, but isn’t on the right radio channel. Chaos will most certainly ensue.
For the spotters, when drivers are hooked together, we’ve seen that usually the lead car’s spotter will end up spotting both cars. This effectively eliminates the immediate need for half the spotters stand. The half that aren’t working however, must still continue spotting their race car, as their driver could return to his own radio channel at any moment. It’s a very odd situation to listen to.
Besides the communication issues, I also wonder if spending time and focus switching radio channels while at speed is the right thing for drivers to be doing. Racing at Daytona and Talladega is hard enough without having to worry about what radio channel you are on. This gives me a driving while talking/texting vision.
You won’t often read a blog post by us that doesn’t have a clear cut opinion, but I have to say that I’m really on the fence with this one. I certainly understand the reasons why the drivers are doing it, but I also have clear reservations.
Thoughts?
As NASCAR continues to look for ways to improve the sport, both on and off the track, one area I believe they are missing a huge opportunity is with their online content. While there are plenty of articles, blog posts, and video clips available at NASCAR.com and the many other racing related websites, NASCAR is trailing most of the other major sports with their live streaming options.
NASCAR’s current online presence is controlled by Turner Sports, a division of Turner Broadcasting Systems, and has been since 2001. In 2008, the two entities extended their online deal through the year 2014. This puts Turner in direct control of NASCAR’s official online footprint.
Currently, outside of the six races that TNT’s RaceBuddy is available online, NASCAR.com’s online offerings are pretty scant. TrackPass offers scanner audio, timing and scoring data, limited MRN/PRN broadcasts, and some weird virtual racing animation called RaceView. There are also some short feature shows and racing highlights available each week. There is however, no way to watch races streaming live online, view archived race footage, or even listen live to MRN and PRN broadcasts and shows.
And compared to the other major American sports, NASCAR is still in the digital ice age. For example, while they don’t offer live streaming video of games online, the NFL does have live online streaming audio for all 32 teams. Major League Baseball has their MLB.TV package that allows fans to watch every regular season game live online, and they’ve been doing so for years. The NBA offers League Pass Broadband that allows viewers to watch 40 games a week live online including full DVR features, plus every game from the season is archived and available at any time to watch in full replay. Even the NHL has Gamecenter that offers live online games, plus they just added a new archive of old and classic games that are available for download. Everyone else seems to get it, except NASCAR.
The biggest obstacle appears to be that NASCAR has several partners in terms of broadcasting, and getting them all to agree on a fair package might be difficult at best. But the one key factor that could change everything is NASCAR. It’s their product in the end, and if they wanted it done, it could get done.
Just to give you and idea about what the networks think, earlier in the season when asked about streaming races online, FOX’s David Hill said that they would not do it, so as to protect their local affiliates. After reading that, and knowing the difficult situation that network television is in, I can understand his position. What’s interesting to note however, is that while he’s not okay showing NASCAR races online for fear of harming his local affiliates, he’s certainly okay “harming” them by allowing Major League Baseball to stream every single game online with it’s MLB.TV package while FOX continues along as part of $3 billion TV contract with MLB that runs through 2013. Good one David.
What NASCAR needs is a comprehensive online package that would allow fans to pay a subscription fee for everything mentioned. Allow them access to live audio and video of press conferences, practice sessions, qualifying, and races online. Make RaceBuddy available for all 36 races. Give them access to listen to all of the MRN and PRN broadcasts and shows. Want scanner audio for every driver you? You got it! Offer several different packages at different price points, and let them choose what they want. There is so much activity going on during the week and at the races on the weekend, and it could all be available for consumption, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, right on NASCAR.com. Cha ching, cha ching!
NASCAR needs new ways to connect with their fans, and they are always looking to expand the sport’s reach. They have a golden opportunity lying right in front of their faces to accomplish both, and they have chosen to ignore it. Somebody please explain this to me.
Thanks to another Monday race, we’ve got a short week before we head to Talladega. The ARCA cars will take to the 2.66 mile tri-oval on Friday, with the Nationwide Series and Cup Series headlining the weekend. While the teams make last minute preparations, we’ve got more questions and answers for you. If you don’t know what this post is, we answer any and all reader questions every Wednesday, right here. So if you’ve got one, click on the ”Ask the Insiders” tab at the top of the page and send one to us. On to the questions…
1. From Allen:
What do you think of Kasey Kahne moving to Hendrick in 2012 and what do you predict his plans will be for 2011?
We’ll see. Hendrick’s driver performance is pretty hit and miss. Remember Casey Mears and Brian Vickers’ stints with the team? And when was the last time Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. won a race? Check this out, it’s an interesting look at driver performance at Hendrick. He is certainly better positioned now, but there are a lot of factors in play. And if I had to bet, I’d put my money on Stewart-Haas for 2011. – Journo
2. From Paul:
I just read an ‘ask’ question about gear ratios. For ‘Dega and Daytona, why not mandate a gear to keep the speeds down and get rid of the restrictor?
NASCAR actually does have a gear rule at the restrictor plate tracks, to go along with the plate. I think though, that having just a mandated gear would result in the same kind of racing we have now. Everyone would be in a giant pack and passes would be based on aero and momentum. - T.C.
3. From Ike:
What is the fastest anyone has ever gone in the history of NASCAR?
The fastest official, recorded average speed is Bill Elliott’s 1987 qualifying run at Talladega – he went 212 mph. Rusty Wallace went out a few years ago and ran a car in the neighborhood of 230 (top speed) with averages around 220. It wasn’t official though. – Journo
4. From Loren:
They say the new rear deck fin length is adjustable. Can it be adjusted during a race or is the length determined before hand and then can’t be changed?
I’m not 100% sure on this one. I know that NASCAR allows a variance in how long the fin can be, but I don’t know if they’d allow a change to it during the race. If a team did decide to make a change, it would be a very lengthy one to make, as it would require either cutting or replacing the existing setup. – T.C.
5. From Allen:
I’ve noticed this since Daytona, but I’m sure it’s been going on longer: How come the cars do not have the “Official NASCAR Stock Car” logo already on the car when unloaded. I noticed a few weeks ago at Atlanta one car didn’t have it on Friday, but come Sunday it was there. I thought it was painted on, just a sticker?
That sticker is placed on the car after teams successfully make it through the inspection process. Those are NASCAR’s to put on the cars. – Journo
6. From Grover:
During a impound race, what are the teams allowed to change? I assume it is small stuff, tire pressure, tape on the nose, carb jetting, and topping off fluid levels.
It’s pretty much just tire pressure, grill tape, and wedge/trackbar adjustments. Other then those three, there is very little else that NASCAR will allow the teams to mess with. Any carb adjustments and fluid additions would have to be done pre-impound. NASCAR will sometimes make exceptions, but any adjustments have to be approved by NASCAR. – T.C.
7. From Clay:
I was listening to Dave Rogers (Kyle Busch’s Cup Crew Chief I believe) on Sirius Nascar Radio and he was saying that the reason they went with 4 tires at the end of the Phoenix race is that they scanned the other team radios and heard that Chad Knaus was also going with 4 tires. This got me thinking, why don’t the crew chiefs use code names for their pit stops so the competition won’t know who’s doing what on the next pit stop?
It’s unnecessary. Crew chiefs do listen in to other crew chiefs during the race, but the information that gets spewed on the radio isn’t always accurate. If a crew chief wanted to be discreet, it would be as simple as hopping off the box and telling his guys what the stop was going to be. The spotter plays a big role in this too, because he can see what other team’s stops are and pass that information along. – Journo
8. From Paul:
Ok, settle a bet for me. If a driver only completes 250 laps of a 500 lap race but is still running at the end, did he finish the race or only finish half of the race?
If I understand you correctly, it won’t mean that he gets a DNF. He will be shown as finishing the race. He’ll be scored 250 laps down, but he’ll finish. Hope that helps! – Journo
9. From Lost In Texas:
Is it my imagination or does it seem that the Monday races run smoother with less cautions. Is it because everyone just wants to get it over with or what?
It’s your imagination. Monday’s race at Texas actually had more cautions and more caution laps than the previous four races at Texas. And the Martinsville race earlier in the year was right in line with the recent races there. – T.C.
And that brings yet another “Ask The Insiders Wednesday” to a close. Thanks to everyone who sent in questions. And remember, if you’d like to be a part of next week, click on the ”Ask the Insiders” tab at the top of the page and send your question in!