What do you think of this from www.jayski.com?

Question

NASCAR Calls mandatory meeting for all Cup drivers Friday: NASCAR called a mandatory meeting for Sprint Cup drivers and owners before Friday's practice at Michigan International Speedway in which president Mike Helton encouraged everyone to keep the fans first. NASCAR officials and drivers both agreed this simply was a reminder that during these tough economic times when fans are paying $4 a gallon for gas to travel to tracks that drivers should be more positive about the sport. In other words stop complaining about the new car that has become a target for everything that is wrong in NASCAR's premier series, from creating boring races to being so hot that the drivers are at risk. "My interpretation was that the drivers should be thankful for the position they're in and should be more positive in where this car is going to be in a year or two," Dale Earnhardt Jr. said. Jeff Burton agreed. "In today's conversation you could have heard whatever you wanted to hear," he said. "I bet if you asked every driver what they heard they would have said something different. What I heard was things aren't bad. Let's don't forget we can make things better."

NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter said this so-called "Come to Jesus" was a reminder of chairman Brian France's preseason back-to-basics message. That the timing was a few days after the lawsuit, he added, was merely coincidental and that the lawsuit wasn't discussed. "We remind them if it weren't for the fans we wouldn't be here," he said. "The fans are paying over $4 a gallon for gasoline. [We told them] to keep the fans in mind when you're talking, to show your appreciation to the fans. Without them this wouldn't be like it is." The criticism reached an all-time high last weekend at Pocono. Denny Hamlin and several others implied the car was much hotter than the older car and possibly put drivers at risk. Series director John Darby understands. He said there are a lot of things available to keep the cars cooler "that's not being used." He reiterated that NASCAR has no plan to change the car until it's been through an entire season.(in part from ESPN.com)(6-14-2008)

Answer 1

The NASCAR dictatorship strikes again.  It is quite often that the drivers are reminded that they need NASCAR more than NASCAR needs them.  This is just another case of the same thing.

But they put some icing on it to make it taste better.

Answer 2

I think they should have the right to voice their opinions, it's a free country afterall, I answered a question similar to this last night, and after sleeping on it, I can see the other side of the coin a little better, I still believe that they have the right to voice their opinions, but I really think it should be done behind closed doors, the drivers work for their sponsors, their manufacturers, etc.. they are the employees, in any other business, if an employee went around griping about their employers the way that some of them do, they'd be out of a job. So, shut up and drive and take up your issues with the people who you're having them with, I have nothing to do with their tires, their air conditioning, or any of that, I just want to watch them race..

Answer 3

That probably stems from Thursday night's debacle at Macon Speedway's "Night of NASCAR Stars."  It was really hyped that Rusty Wallace and the rest of the Wallace brothers were going to be there.  As soon as Rusty finished with his ESPN duties, he disappeared, not to be seen again at the track for the rest of the evening.  I, for one, am glad he wasn't the only draw, because I would have been really disappointed.  As far as the rest of the drivers there...good job!!  Great racing!!  The Reuitman's were just awesome, and as down-to-earth as you can get!!

Answer 4

Glad to hear it Tom !!

As far as Denny Hamlin?? I'm sure Coach Gibbs can get him a nice, cooler position on Sunday afternoon's, in the [NFL]???

Answer 5

It's c**p. NASCAR is trying to keep everyone as sheep, followers. It's bad enough when they interview drivers within thirty seconds after driving 500 miles at 200 mph, and scolding them for using "bad" words.

This isn't junior high school.

Answer 6

I agree with NASCAR.  Driving in the Cup series is a privilege not a right. Its not good for the sport when the drivers continually rant and rave.  As far as the drivers complaining about heat all I can say is Boo hoo!  Nascar is a sport not an activity.

Answer 7

I understand it looking at it from nascar's perspective.  But as a fan, I would like to know I'm hearing what the drivers REALLY think.  So no, I dont like it even though I understand it.

Answer 8

I applaud it too. If Nascar was easy everyone in world would be doing it. It doesn't matter how much the drivers cry about the new car they are not going to change it just because they are crying. This car is new and before you know it the teams will have it worked out and it will get better. In my opinion the races are getting better from where I see it. The drivers are going to have to learn that just because they gripe about it all the time doesn't mean nascar will change anything especially after Nascar has said repeatedly that they were not going to change anything on this car this year.

Answer 9

I'm not sure what to think about this. I see NASCAR's point. Fans are paying A LOT to be there. However, I also want to hear the driver's true opinion about things. Hmmm, my answer sounds wishy washy.

Answer 10

I'm glad NASCAR held the meeting to remind drivers to "keep the fans first" even if it really means "quit your crying". The crews will figure out the new car soon enough and we as fans just need to have a little patience.