Truth & Rumors > Auto Racing

NASCAR makes example of Waltrip

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Michael Waltrip pulled up to the back of Jimmie Johnson's car, settled in on his bumper and shoved him all the way around Talladega Superspeedway as the two drivers worked on a strategy for NASCAR's fastest race track. Only problem? NASCAR doesn't want to see such aggressive drafting anymore, and when Waltrip didn't heed a warning to back off a bit, he was yanked out of the final practice session leading into Sunday's race. It was NASCAR's way of sending a message to the drivers: They can police themselves or NASCAR will do it for them. It's all part of a concerted effort to avoid a repeat of the spectacular last-lap accidents that marred the last two restrictor plate races this season. Carl Edwards went airborne into the Talladega safety fence on the final lap of April's race, and Kyle Busch sailed hard into an outside wall at Daytona in July.

Associated Press

Michael Waltrip, AP Michael Waltrip, AP
November 1, 2009  08:15 AM ET

NASCAR should consider speed bumps on the turns; directional signals on all the cars; 50' limit on drafting, and a couple of no passing zones.

NASCAR= Not A Sport Certainly A Ripoff

November 1, 2009  09:04 AM ET

Let em race.

November 1, 2009  09:15 AM ET

Yup Nascar's way of saying Johnson can't get touched - he has to win Nascar's
first 4peat, don't race him hard - back off him - we will pull you off the track,,
Is the FIX IN or what,,I,am begining to think the guys on here are right - Nascar
does what it wants.

November 1, 2009  09:44 AM ET
QUOTE(#1):

NASCAR= Not A Sport Certainly A Ripoff

Nice.

I HATE THE CHASE

November 1, 2009  09:55 AM ET

That last lap crash at Dega in the spring wasn't from aggressive drafting. It was from drivers trying to jockey for position and put their car in a place that there was no room for it. I don't want to see those kind of wrecks, but I do want to see drivers try to get as much as they can and win. If I want to see a parade, I'll go watch cars in the car rider circle of my local school or a nice Christmas parade anywhere. I want to see racin'! I really hope Brian France and Nascar aren't doing things to make it easier for JJ to win the championship. While the 4 time repeat champion would make for big story lines, Mark Martin winning the first of his career would bring more fans back to the sport. Older guy who was so loyal to Rousch and Ford before coming back fulltime in a Hendrick Chevy.

November 1, 2009  10:42 AM ET

Mikey needs all the practice he can get. He will cause the first caution!!!

November 1, 2009  10:44 AM ET
QUOTE(#4):

Nice.I HATE THE CHASE

And again I agree. Most useless thing tried. Just let them race. If they want to award money at the end, combine wins with laps led and give that guy the dough

November 1, 2009  10:49 AM ET

Thanks Nascar for not letting me down on being consistent by shooting yourself in the foot, One more time. I would suggest aiming a little higher.

November 1, 2009  10:50 AM ET
QUOTE(#3):

Yup Nascar's way of saying Johnson can't get touched - he has to win Nascar'sfirst 4peat, don't race him hard - back off him - we will pull you off the track,

Do you have a clue? He was PUSHING him. Not "racing him hard". Watch plate races, understand how it works, THEN comment.

No bump drafting in the corners. They talk about it every year, and every year people try to figure out a way to do it. This is no different. And NASCAR's position has been the same. Year after year. Regardless.

November 1, 2009  11:12 AM ET

Carl tried to block and screwed up.
Drives me nuts to NASCAR and the press trying to make it look like it was Brad K's fault.
Brad K. had position and Carl pulled down on him and crashed himself.
What NASCAR needs to be pushing hard about blocking and stop trying to make a example of a field filler like Waltrip for bump drafting.

November 1, 2009  11:37 AM ET

This is the kindler.. gentlier.. Nascar.. the one we've grown to dis-like

November 1, 2009  01:06 PM ET
QUOTE(#9):

Do you have a clue? He was PUSHING him. Not "racing him hard". Watch plate races, understand how it works, THEN comment.No bump drafting in the corners. They talk about it every year, and every year people try to figure out a way to do it. This is no different. And NASCAR's position has been the same. Year after year. Regardless.

First off read the comment and what it means - Nascar is telling the drivers that they can't race Johnson to hard -and also Nascar changed the rule today that the drivers can't bump draft to day and they can't croud Johnson,,what does THAT tell you.

thank you

November 1, 2009  01:11 PM ET

All of you people who think Nascar is "fixing it" for Johnson to wins are idiots. Having Johnson win is one of the worst things that can happen for the sport (for anyone other than a Johnson fan). Having such a dominant driver for so many years tends to drive away fans, especially in Nascar since so many of them are idiots who tend to easily believe in many of the "fix" conspiracies.

From a business standpoint, Nascar would be better off trying to keep Johnson from winning a championship and getting Mark Martin a championship or Dale Jr. a few more wins.

November 1, 2009  01:19 PM ET

Gristle, Take all this with a grain of salt.
Drop your blood preasure a bit and enjoy the race.

November 1, 2009  01:49 PM ET

As I watch the race it is pretty evident that NASCAR has turned this into a bunch of bovine excrement -- we may just as well draw a number to see who will win the race (just like a rip-off lotto). Big dogs are hangin' in the rear waiting for the herd to thin out and last 25 laps will race. BBBBOOOORRRRIIIINNNNGGG!! OK -- good thing football is on the other channels...

November 1, 2009  01:51 PM ET
QUOTE(#13):

All of you people who think Nascar is "fixing it" for Johnson to wins are idiots. Having Johnson win is one of the worst things that can happen for the sport (for anyone other than a Johnson fan). Having such a dominant driver for so many years tends to drive away fans, especially in Nascar since so many of them are idiots who tend to easily believe in many of the "fix" conspiracies. From a business standpoint, Nascar would be better off trying to keep Johnson from winning a championship and getting Mark Martin a championship or Dale Jr. a few more wins.

Democrat

November 1, 2009  01:54 PM ET

Drivers are rebelling right now. They are all single file about a car length apart. That's the way to give NASCAR the big middle finger! Funny.

November 1, 2009  01:58 PM ET
QUOTE(#17):

Drivers are rebelling right now. They are all single file about a car length apart. That's the way to give NASCAR the big middle finger! Funny.

HeHeHe -- absolutely correct ... the IDIOTS are NASCAR re getting exactly what they deserve ... notice the empty seats?

November 1, 2009  02:02 PM ET

Finally some action, cars hitting the pits! LMAO
How Pathetic is this!

 
November 1, 2009  02:02 PM ET

OK -- back to football ... be back in 45 minutes to see if anything has changed ... BSBSBSBSBS

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