Detrimental But Determined

Last week was full of talk of Denny Hamlin and his $25,000 fine from NASCAR for "statements detrimental to NASCAR" and his refusal to accept and pay this fine.  He took a stand, posted a tweet, and was backed by not only his team, but by millions of fans. Even people that weren't his fans before are standing behind him now.

So I ask the question, what exactly did Denny say that was so bad, or more importantly, so wrong?

The first two races were complete snooze fests. Even Daytona, that is normally action packed, was a single-file, follow the leader, boring event.  It was clear that the new car wasn't what it was hyped to be. Not since "Sliced bread" that turned out to be moldy has anything been more disappointing. 

The crashes in the NNS race at Daytona was terrifying and noone wanted a repeat of that tragedy.  But was it too much to ask for some excitement? Danica Patrick lead the race which clearly gave away the issues the car was facing.  That was the first clue that everything wasn't sunny in the Sunshine State.

Then NASCAR headed to the desert and the racing was even dryer than the atmosphere. The only excitement was on the final lap when Hamlin dove onto the apron and made a move on the 48 and the 2.  Denny's post-race interview was dead on!  The racing was boring and there is a problem and everyone but NASCAR knows it.

Heading into Las Vegas, I wouldn't have bet on what took place when NASCAR decided that stating the obvious wasn't allowed.  NASCAR is protective over its new race car like a secret society is over its top secret happenings.  But the G6 car has become the elephant in the room that noone wants to talk about and the sport has now become scripted.  Apparently, you can have a DUH! moment with a reporter, that is never printed and be suspended.  The officials are out to tattle tale and the higher ups are going to squash the competition like bugs if they speak their minds.

Going into week 4, it's time to start stating the obvious.  The golden child is starting to look a little tarnished and it's time to tweak it.  The fans aren't happy and neither are the drivers.  Admitting that everything needs improvement, even Apple had to admit its products had a bruise on occasion, is what competition is all about. Being unyielding to the obvious is what sunk the Titanic and is exactly what will destroy NASCAR.

The fans took up Hamlin's cause and began the FREE DENNY hastag on Twitter and STAND WITH DENNY was plastered all over Facebook.  They called for t-shirts to be printed and the support meant a lot to the driver.  Walking out to face Goliath with just a few stones and a sling shot is scary, and not every David topples its foe with just one shot.  It isn't just because Denny had chosen to speak and the world should listen.  He didn't say anything everyone else wasn't already saying. He simply stated it on camera. 

My personal opinion is that NASCAR has taken a dangerous stance that the drivers aren't allowed to say anything honest about the competition on the track.  They want "boys have at it" and for personalities to show, but only if it fits inside a tiny box that suits the lie they want to present.

Hamlin has refused to pay the fine and chose not to appeal it either.  When I first read that, I have to admit I was fearful of the repercussions of such a decision.  I want him to win races, I want him to make the Chase, and even better, I want him to be Sprint Cup Champion.  I do not want anything to stand in the way of that, no matter what the point is. 

NASCAR has declared the matter closed, the fine will be taken out of Hamlin's race winnings.  Well, I'm not buying that.  I think NASCAR realized it infringed upon Denny's freedom of speech, underestimated the fans reaction and has backed off on its foolish fine.  Do I think the money will ever be paid? NO! Do I think the matter should be forgotten? NO!  NASCAR has a huge problem and it's bigger than Denny Hamlin and a few statements of the obvious post-race. 

They are blind to the fact that nothing and no one is perfect and everything can be improved upon.  After 5 races there need to be changes. After 10 races there need to be more changes. Changes need to continue to be made until the drivers and teams are happy.  And the way to find out what those changes should be is to talk to the people IN the cars and the people working ON the cars.  Giving them a gag order and demanding they not air the family dirty laundry will lose fans from a sport that is already seeing more empty seats in its stands. 

I stand behind Denny Hamlin no matter what.  I like the person he is when he speaks his mind.  But thanks to NASCAR, I won't get to see the real Denny because he won't give as many interviews and he certainly won't be as fun to listen to when he does choose to speak. 

It's times like these when I wish Dale Earnhardt was still around and can't help but wonder what would happen were he still The Intimidator and the icon and voice of NASCAR.  Just makes me realize what a huge hole he left when he left us and how badly NASCAR needs him still.