NASCAR- Laying Down The Law Or Censoring Free Speech?

It came out earlier this week that NASCAR had penalized two drivers for allegedly making disparaging remarks about NASCAR. Their names were not known until sources revealed the drivers were Denny Hamlin and Ryan Newman.

Hamlin was fined for commenting about a caution during a race. Newman was fined for allegedly making derogatory remarks about NASCAR after the spring Talladega race. I thought we had something called the First Amendment to the Constitution that gives all Americans the right to freedom of speech. NASCAR drivers (and everybody else) should be able to speak their minds without intimidation or fear of reprisals. This is political correctness run amok.

I know there is one school of thought that says NASCAR was just doing what any company would do if their employees openly criticized it. That sounds good on the surface but it should be noted that Hamlin and Newman are not NASCAR employees. Hamlin is employed by Joe Gibbs Racing, Newman by Stewart/Haas Racing. It is true that NASCAR is a sanctioning body and there are some things NASCAR should be allowed to regulate,such as a code of conduct,on-track behavior,etc,but whether or not drivers should be penalized for simply stating opinions is ridiculous. If drivers were employees of NASCAR itself,I would understand,as employee loyalty is important with any company but drivers are team employees,they do not work for NASCAR directly.

Some argue that Major League Baseball,the NBA,and the NFL do the same with their athletes. In the spirit of consistency,it should be said they are just as guilty as NASCAR.

Certainly NASCAR is big enough to take some criticism. It would not hurt NASCAR to listen to the fans and the drivers once in a while. I have no idea how it hurts NASCAR. NASCAR has been suffering from declining race attendance and sagging TV ratings. Those things started happening before the recession. NASCAR is clearly at fault for its own troubles, not fans or drivers. The economy is likely a factor but to a lesser extent because these problems plagued NASCAR before the recession began. The recession has added to NASCAR's difficulties but is not the cause of them.

Earlier this year, NASCAR announced they were going to let drivers police themselves, yet NASCAR wants to regulate what drivers say. NASCAR cannot have it both ways. If drivers are allowed to police themselves on the track, they should be allowed to speak their minds as well. There is such a thing as constructive criticism. NASCAR would do well listening.

NASCAR dishes it out so they should take it as well.

Congratulations,Jamie McMurray

Jamie McMurray is one of my favorite NASCAR drivers. I was so happy for Jamie when he won the Allstate 400 At The Brickyard,one of NASCAR's most prestigious races along with the Daytona 500. McMurray is only the third driver to win the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard in the same year. Congratulations,Jamie,on a win well-deserved.

Again,congratulations to Jamie on winning the race. Also,congratulations to Jamie and his wife Christy,who are expecting their first child in December. Driver Ryan Newman and his wife Krissie are expecting also,along with Sam Hornish Jr and his wife Crystal. Congratulations to all new and expectant parents.

Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski

Last Saturday,at Gateway International Raceway,in the closing laps of the NASCAR Nationwide series race, Carl Edwards punted Brad Keselowski off the track for the win. Defenders of the move by Edwards say it was just a racing deal or something Dale Earnhardt Sr might have done.

Edwards admitted wrecking Keselowski for the win. He admitted wrecking Keselowski in the Atlanta Cup race as well. Edwards intended to wreck Keselowski for the win and admitted it. That was just plain dirty driving on Edwards' part. When Dale Sr raced anybody,he would give them a tap just to "rattle their cage" and meant no harm to anybody and if they wrecked,it was purely an accident. It seems Edwards has every intention of wrecking his rivals if they do not let him by. Never mind that the driver in front of him wants to win also and is not obligated to move aside for Carl Edwards or any other racer. Unlike Edwards, Earnhardt Sr earned and deserved the respect of other drivers and millions of fans. Edwards' good-guy,always smiling image is questionable in my opinion. Why he acts like he does on the track sometimes,I have no idea.

The "penalty" dealt by NASCAR is a joke. Edwards was given a 60-point deduction,a $25,000 fine,and placed on probation the rest of the year. Keselowski was also placed on probation the rest of the year. Why should Keselowski be penalized? Keselowski did nothing wrong. Keselowski was the victim. At the very least, Edwards should have been suspended the rest of the season.

Something tragic could happen on the track before NASCAR actually does something about Edwards. I cannot speak for other NASCAR fans,but I would not be surprised if the numbers are growing. I am fed up with NASCAR and their slap on the wrist "penalties" and blatant favoritism. NASCAR has again contributed to its own demise.

Remembering A Special Man

On July 12, 2010, I lost a very special person in my life. My father passed away. For nine months, since he had a stroke in October, 2009, he had been bedridden and suffered much pain. I am thankful now that his suffering is over. He was a deeply dedicated Christian and knew Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and Lord.

He was born a son of textile workers and grew up in Kannapolis, North Carolina. He wanted to join the Army in World War II but was turned down because of a punctured eardrum. He attended college,where he met my mother. They married soon after graduation. They raised five children,of whom I am number four. My dad was a hard worker and taught us all the value of a dollar. He instilled in us a love of nature,of flowers,trees,birds,and all of God's creation. My dad had a zest for life and had a great sense of humor. He loved his wife,children,and grandchildren. He was very attached with his dog Beau and the feeling was mutual. He was very passionate about such things as gardening and eating.

My father was a very friendly man with a great personality. He never met a stranger. He was everybody's friend and could talk about anything with anybody he met.

I will never forget the lessons he taught me and the times he helped me out. I will always be grateful for those things. His advice was sound and has helped me immensely. One of his favorite sayings is something I live by,that a person who won't be beat can't be beat. Thank you,Daddy. I love you. I miss you very much but at least knowing someday we will be together again.

Dispelling The Danica Hype

So the media's new darling,Danica Patrick,races again in the Nationwide series. This was her second Nationwide race,and as in the first,Danica has failed to impress. She finished the New England 200 in 35th position and five laps down. The only IRL win Danica has ever had was a non-points Indy Racing League race in Japan. The closest she has since come to a win was a second place IRL finish at Texas Motor Speedway earlier this year. Most of Danica's finishes are mid-pack at best.

So why all the media hype about such a mediocre driver? I think we all know that answer,because Danica is female and racing in the Nationwide series,so this makes her a cash cow for NASCAR. Also,the fact that she drives for Dale Earnhardt Jr,another media favorite,is another reason along with the media fixation on open-wheelers in NASCAR even though the only open-wheelers to truly succeed in NASCAR are Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart. It escapes me why some people think Danica is one of the greatest racers of all time when her career statistics do not bear that out. Danica is a token female used by NASCAR to earn their politically correct points.

Somebody says,"Danica causes more ticket sales",proving my point that NASCAR does not care about Danica as a driver,but how much money they can get out of her. Also,if Danica is driving in a race,it might make some people boycott the Nationwide series(along with there being excessively many Cup drivers,but that's another story), NOT because she's a woman but because of her classless,arrogant,prima donna attitude. Danica is notorious for not taking the blame for accidents she clearly causes. She slams her own pit crew and wrongly blames other drivers for her own mistakes by charging into their pit areas and making a jackass of herself. Sorry but until Danica has the guts to take responsibility for her actions,she has not earned my respect.

I have absolutely NOTHING against women or minorities racing in NASCAR but only if they are actually talented and are not being used by NASCAR as promotional gimmicks. There are women racers I admire such as Milka Duno,Sarah Fisher,and Ashley Force Hood. I also admire and respect Janet Guthrie.

If Danica wants to make it in NASCAR and I hope she does,she must make an attitude adjustment.

Congratulations,Duke University

I am normally a fan of the University of North Carolina but Duke University is also in my home state,also a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, and just eight miles from UNC,the 2009 NCAA Men's Division 1 basketball champions. The championship stays on Tobacco Road.

Congratulations to Duke's men's basketball team on winning the NCAA Division 1 championship Monday night in Indianapolis. Duke won 61-59 in a game that could have easily gone either way and was close from the tip-off. Duke defeated Indianapolis-based Butler University. As glad as I am that Duke won,it is still heart-wrenching that Butler would lose the championship game in their hometown. This is Duke's fourth championship and likewise for Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski.

Butler has nothing to be ashamed of with a 33-6 season. Butler fought hard for the win in Monday night's game but the Blue Devils (35-5 for the season) prevailed in the game's closing seconds.

Congratulations,Duke University.

Happy Easter

Yesterday was Good Friday,tomorrow is Easter. Let us remember the message of Easter. Jesus gave His life so that we would live. He paid the ultimate price to offer us the free gift of eternal life, which I gladly received many years ago. Though I make mistakes and do things I should not do,I am quick to repent of my sins and ask God's forgiveness and the grace and redemption He offers us through His Son Jesus Christ.

If you have not done so,why not ask Jesus into your heart right now. He gave His life for you and me because He loves us more than we can comprehend and wants eternal life for all who receive Him as Savior and Lord. Pray this simple prayer :

Lord Jesus.
I am a sinner.
I have sinned against You.
I repent of all my sin.
I know You died for my sin and rose from the dead.
You took the penalty I deserve.
I ask You now to come into my heart and live Your life in me.
I will live for You and serve You all the days of my life.
Thank You,Lord Jesus,for hearing my prayer and coming into my heart.
I receive You as Savior and Lord.
Thank You for saving me.
Amen.

If you prayed this prayer,God has no memory of your past. He has washed you clean.

"Whosoever will call upon the Name of the Lord,shall be saved" (Romans 10:13)
According to the Holy Scriptures,you are a new creature (or creation) in Christ Jesus. Behold all things are become new.(2 Corinthians 5:17).

God bless you now and always.