FanNation

"in the old days"???? What makes them think that anything thing has changed?

Just let the drivers try to organize. They'll never get in another NASCAR race for the rest of their lives.

Trainwreck | 03/14/08, 08:42 AM

Oh please - Unions are not for employees making millions of dollars a year. Frankly unions serve few purposes in the 21 st century (union members fire away at me). The UAW will eventually bankrupt the American auto industry with benefits far exceeding the rest of the nation, (health coverage till death).

jackmanrob | 03/14/08, 08:47 AM

Didn't some of the drivers form a sort of union to protest Talladega when it opened, and NASCAR had no problem finding other drivers to sit in their cars that weekend?

Unions are for people with leverage, and with so many drivers that want to get into Cup racing and the nature of drivers' employment, the drivers that are there now have very little, if any. The only thing that's going to get NASCAR's attention is a death.

nin_man | 03/14/08, 08:58 AM

Stewart is the moral-compass for no-one. It is pretty obvious he is going to have a real hard time dealing with KB in the same team as him. Thus this is just the precursor to another season of TS meltdowns. ( which is really just a euphanism for a temper-tantrum)
This entire tire issue is just so much hype. In Fontana you had the track weepin' with all the whining that emminates from some of these prima-donna's. Which makes me wonder: Why is it OK to run a race on a track that has very obvious water issues? Maybe because they have a professional obligation "to put on a show" even if it means being a little bit more careful. So again. if the Goodyear tire was a poor choice for the CONDITIONS ( a variable that encompases everything track,temp,surface type,surface condition, moisture in air , moisture on track, cloud cover sunlight, wind, barometric pressure, alltitude, banking, length on straights, fuel mileage) get over it. With all these variables it is actually quite common for a tire to be found less than ideal for a particular track. If any of the variables is way different than usual. It happens all the time in all types of racing.
Remember Nascar isn't a tire testing stage, like F1 car racing or Touring car racng. I mean there is not much innovation in Nascar tires than can windup being useful in sports cars. Road-racing demands on tires is far greater and thus provides the need for innovation. Nascar is a SPEC series that gets a purpose built tire.

johnnyrunner | 03/14/08, 09:14 AM

Jackman is right these drivers don't need any unions, they are making millions of dollars a year. Forming a union would also do serious harm to the sport in terms of sponsorship; it would be extremely difficult to get a driver who is not performing up to par out of a ride, for instance switching AJ out for Mike after three races would never happen if these guys were in a union. And sponsors will not want to fund teams who have sorry drivers.

nascarzorin | 03/14/08, 09:42 AM

I believe these guys make enough cash that they don't need a union to protect heir interests
I have 2 friends that worked for 2 different factories in Ohio and both voted in unions .. Both factories closed within a year and both lost their jobs cause the work went overseas!!! Not that this would happen in NASCAR but was just a thought about unions!!!!

Jr. #88 Fan from Ohio | 03/14/08, 10:55 AM

That would be their interests--Why is it I proof read my comments and find nothing but as soon as I hit the save comment box , my mistakes jump right out at me!!!!! LOL

Jr. #88 Fan from Ohio | 03/14/08, 10:56 AM

I have the same problem Jr #88 - dont worry about it. With the grading curve you should achieve an A+.

jackmanrob | 03/14/08, 11:06 AM

LOL Wish I had that grading system in High School!!!!

Jr. #88 Fan from Ohio | 03/14/08, 11:12 AM

nascarzorin....right on the money. I worked in the same union for 31 years and am a firm advocate of unions, but there is a place for them and that place is not in Nascar.

JKINDELRAY | 03/14/08, 11:37 AM

me too 88...I make very sure not to pick on someone's grammer. Cuz sure-as-s**t I will post something really dense.

johnnyrunner | 03/14/08, 12:04 PM

johnnyrunner- Me too!!!!!!!!!!
JKINDELRAY- I'm not really knocking unions. I have never had to option to be in one and only knew these 2 friends who joined one. Not saying, as you did ,that there is a place for them!!!

Jr. #88 Fan from Ohio | 03/14/08, 12:10 PM

The new union could be called Rich B-a-stards Whining union or RBW

jackmanrob | 03/14/08, 01:58 PM

Good one jackmanrob!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!LOL

Jr. #88 Fan from Ohio | 03/14/08, 03:08 PM

Does Will Ferrell still drive these days?Or is he not in the union?

bostongm | 03/14/08, 03:45 PM

A drivers union would hurt the top drivers. They would have to give up some of their pay so the lower, less skilled ones would make a little more. If a driver would speak out on his own on safety issues, it still wouldn't mean he spoke for everyone in the union - just himself.

Red Zone | 03/14/08, 03:52 PM

If they are not going to allow a union, then they need to do away with the top-35 rule: That is giving drivers who don't cut the mustard a shot at making a race when others who qualified better than them have to go home (remember Boris Said last July at the Pepsi 400????)

Blueashriel | 03/14/08, 04:23 PM

I think a union would be good. These guys don't need a union for money, but for other issues.... such as tires. If they all acted on a solid front NASCAR would at least have to hear their opion, instead of Tony being shrugged off as just being Tony.

Yes, NASCAR could find replacements, but does anyone remember the baseball strike? No body wants to watch back ups, and as if NASCAR would be okay firing all its curretn top 35 in owner's points. Would they have as many viewrs the next week without Jr, Smoke, and whoever else you might like. I dont think so.

The way it stands now, NASCAR has the ability to do whatever it wants, and I see y'all talk about that on here all the time.... So, I am thourghly suprised that I am the only one that sees the benefits of a top 35 drivers union. Once agian, I don't think they would/ need to lobby for money.

Archie_Bunker | 03/14/08, 05:26 PM

They aren't many other issues in Nascar that requires a union.

nascarzorin | 03/14/08, 06:35 PM

Does anyone actually think that NASCAR would allow a union??? I think not!!!

NASCARQueen | 03/14/08, 10:07 PM