I’m not sure where integrity went in my generation and the generations following.  Obviously, from the highest level of government to the people next to you in line at the grocery checkout, integrity and honesty have gone the way of the Dodo bird.  It simply seems to exist only in a very small segment of society.   We have had two major chain grocery stores go out of business within a mile of my house, both quoting the high losses from theft making it impossible to maintain a profit margin.  Where is the integrity there?   It seems to be the norm, rather than the exception, that folks are more apt to cheat, lie and steal, than to try to live an honest life.

I can’t count the times I’ve been lied to, led on, stolen from, and promised things that were never delivered.  In fact, I think many of the promises I have believed in were made in bad faith to begin with, just another way to use me in some way or another.   But all of that is just personal comment and point of reference for where I am going with this Legendtorial.

Let’s talk about NASCAR’s continued use of the word “integrity” since last Saturday at Richmond.   Brian France, Mike Helton and the Pemberton guy all want us to believe rule changes have been made to “preserve the integrity of the sport” although more appropriately it should be stated that an effort should be made to “restore integrity to the sport”.

Let’s first examine the “Duck Boy Rules for Restarts”.  It is without question that Duck Boy beat the leader of the Richmond race to the line on the last restart, an infraction of the rules which cost Jimmie Johnson a race at Dover earlier this year.  Now, under the “Duck Boy Rules” it won’t matter if the second place car beats the first place car to the line on a restart.  Frankly I have no problem with this rule. If the guy starting second can beat the guy starting first on the restart to the line, then that is what racing is about!  NASCAR still forbids those behind the first row from passing before the line and I’m not too sure how I feel about that.  The “experts” seem to think allowing such passing would cause major accidents.  Frankly, I don’t agree with that assessment. When I raced, as Johnny Mallonee pointed out in a Forum post Sunday, we went when the green flag waved.  If the dudes ahead of us were asleep, we went around them.  Simple as that.  Surely NASCAR cannot be blind enough to think allowing passing before the line is more dangerous or more susceptible to accidents than those green-white-checker fiascos we witness multiple times throughout the season.   Do away with the re-start zone and let the flagman start it.

Ok, now let’s talk about the “integrity” NASCAR has lauded in its allowing Jeff Gordon into the Chase and assessing such a large fine against Michael Waltrip Racing.   First off, and I’ll say this only once, if we weren’t forced to endure the asinine Chase to begin with, neither MWR, NASCAR, or all we loyal fans would have to suffer through this.   The Chase was increased to 13 drivers this year.  Absurd.  Clint Bowyer should be thrown out and Jeff allowed in and that would have been the proper solution.  Integrity?  Is there anyone who believes Clint Bowyer when he says he didn’t spin that car on purpose?  His body language alone, and his inability to face the questioner head on screams “LIAR”.  NASCAR chose to allow him to remain in the Chase without penalty and still he sticks to the story that the spin was not intentional.  Clint believes the NASCAR fans are stupid enough to buy his story.  Oh, I know there is no “proof beyond a reasonable doubt” on an intentional spin, but how much proof do you need.  I would suggest Bowyer be given a lie detector test but considering that 5-Hour junk messes up the mind anyway, I doubt a lie detector test would be conclusive.

If NASCAR wants us to believe it is sincere in its efforts for integrity, put Bowyer out of the Chase.  It’s that simple.  To allow him to remain is an insult to all those in the Chase and to the other competitors.

Now let’s talk about NASCAR’s new addition to the rule book (although no one ever seems to see the rule book), wherein all competitors are required to give a 100% effort at all time.  Seriously?  I truly want to know how they intend to enforce this.  Further, if they felt it necessary to change the restart rule to cover the Duck Boy event because they didn’t want to have to make such decisions, how can they seriously expect to determine who is giving 100% and when?  Are they going to wire monitors to measure drivers’ brain waves so they can determine when a 100% effort is being made?  This rule boarders on ridiculous.  You know, perhaps NASCAR should consider a new definition of “ridiculous” and leave “integrity” alone for awhile.  I can’t wait to hear the first penalty handed out for some driver giving only 99.9%.  Poor devil!!  He may be banned for life, or until NASCAR determines they need him back.

Let’s talk about that rule of no one manipulating a race finish, as if NASCAR hasn’t done that repeatedly with those “debris” cautions in the last few laps, so many times we all know are fake cautions meant to make an effort to manipulate a finish.  But let’s just consider the manipulation and the 100% effort rule.

For instance, let’s just take this scenario under consideration.  Say we are at Homestead, final race, and the Championship is to be decided between Logano, Kyle Busch, and Kenseth.  Say the championship depends on where these three guys finish and the race comes down to a battle between Logano and one of the JGR drivers. Let’s say if Kenseth wins the race, he gets the championship but if Busch wins, Logano finishes second Logano gets the championship. Busch is first Logano second and Kenseth right on the bumper.  Does Busch suddenly develop problems and pit so Kennseth gets the title?  How is NASCAR going to prove Busch faked a pit stop if all that was worked out in the JGR team meetings before ever leaving Charlotte.    NASCAR could never prove that and wouldn’t even try.

So, in my humble opinion, all these changes to the rules are simple lip service to try to appease the fans and sponsors who are so outdone with the Richmond results NASCAR is concerned for their image.  That is almost laughable.  NASCAR’s image in the old days was not the best, but it grew because folks loved it and knew what they were getting with the likes of Curtis Turner, Lee Petty, Fireball Roberts, Joe Weatherly and so many more like them.  Now we are inundated with drivers buying their way into rides, talent or not, and big management teams trying to “cheat” in any manner they can to make themselves appear more than they are.  Frankly, I’m a little tired of it.

I have read, and personally heard, several comments over the past week that the interest in NASCAR racing is waning.  Several folks have said they aren’t planning to watch any Chase races, but then I’ve heard such comments made in the past about one circumstance or another and the party making the statement is right back at it next race.  I guess I will always be watching, more these days for the latest comic comments coming from NASCAR management.  You can’t make that stuff up.  NASCAR has always had the element of intrigue with rule interpretation, and, in fact, with the rule book itself.  I really think the rule as to “actions detrimental to stock car racing” is such a joke that David Letterman could make a million using that line in stand up routines.   This is one of those rules that makes sense only when taken in the context that whatever NASCAR feels suits the purpose at the time is a reason to use this rule.

I will repeat what I have often said.  I am not a NASCAR hater, rather I am a fan of NASCAR and the sport.  I want NASCAR to respect that.  Don’t make statements about integrity and allow the man YOU determined to be the reason for all the derogatory publicity from Richmond to remain in the Chase.  Put him out! Have you considered what your image will be if the 15 wins the Cup?  You had better give that some thought because if it happens, you are going to have a public relations nightmare you won’t be able to handle.   You had also better give some deep and deliberate thought to the Rookie of the Year title.  Everyone knows who you want to win it, but the one competitor for that title is beating your favorite in every category.  Don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re going to float that one past the fans.