Saxton: NASCAR needs to revisit policy of keeping wins on illegal cars
Years back, perhaps when the awards for NASCAR Cup were presented at a gala at the Waldorf Astoria in New York, I got to spend some time chatting with Bill France Sr. He is the man who gets credit for founding NASCAR. There were a few of us media types involved in the session.
Part of the conversation dealt with taking wins away from racers when they were found to be racing illegal cars. Bill France felt that when fans left the track they should take with them the memories of seeing the winner celebrate the victory. Even if the winner was found to be illegal the win would stand.
I can understand that thinking just like I understood France Sr. saying, not an exact quote, that if there is no coverage of the race in the morning newspaper the race did not happen. That is how strongly he felt about media coverage of the events. Keep in mind that goes back to the days when the morning newspaper seemed to be on a large number of front steps.
Back in those days, more than 25 years ago, if a winner was found to be illegal there would be a penalty of some sort but the win would stand. That is the way it is today in NASCAR Sprint Cup racing. Back then I agreed but today I think differently.
With all the tools available to get their message out to the public in a very timely manner, I think it is time to have NASCAR Cup winners that are found illegal lose their win. In fact I think that is the way it should be in all racing ... in my opinion.
At the weekly short tracks, more than a thousand across the nation, a winner found to be illegal is most likely listed last in the race finish or disqualified all together.
Having the win taken away, losing the points and the prize money and on top of all that suffering other penalties would certainly send a strong message to the racers that running an illegal race car will not be considered acceptable.
As far as fans knowing who the winner is when they leave the track, with today’s social media being used by just about everyone, the fact that the winner was disqualified and a new winner named could be seen or heard before the fans left the track parking lot. Well, maybe not quite that quickly.
As for those who feel that racing illegally is not the same as cheating, I am still thinking about that. What do you think?
*** The annual Charlie Eckert Memorial will take place Sunday afternoon, October 16th at the Grandview Speedway. The famed racer who many grew to know as “Chargin’ Charlie” was a highly accomplished small block modified competitor during the 70s, 80s and 90s. Charlie won feature races at various venues including Bechtelsville’s Grandview Speedway.
In 2013, Charlie’s son Chuck Eckert took command of the Outlaw Enduro Series (formerly NEETS tour) and quickly came up with a new race to honor his father. The yearly tradition continues this season under the direction of series promoter Dave Dissinger.
The 2016 season finale, the fourth version of the Charlie Eckert Memorial, will consist of: Big Car Enduro (125-laps), Small Car Enduro (125-laps), Ladies Race (20-laps), a junkyard car race (distance depends on car count), and the final 2016 race for Blast From the Past Vintage Stock Cars. The popular Vintage Club will host a 15-lap feature for the Modified Class (experienced drivers and tri-track cars) and a 15-lap main event for the Vintage Division (70s or earlier). Their card will culminate with a first-ever 30-lap Vintage Car Enduro.
The Sunday enduro show is the second of a two-race weekend at Grandview Speedway as the NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Series will hold an event on the prior Saturday evening, October 15th. That event, starting at 6 p.m., features a Mod Madness show with both Small Block and Big Block Modifieds racing. In addition there will be racing action for Sportsman, 305 Sprints and Vintage racers.
On Sunday October 16th, pit gates open at 8 a.m. for car inspection. Grandstand gates will open at 12 p.m. and racing starts promptly with Vintage Car hot laps at 1 p.m. Adult general admission to the stands is just $10. Children under 12 are free.
*** On Saturday night, Port Royal Speedway returns to action with the World of Outlaws sprint cars at 5 p.m. followed by the final show of the season on October 22, Open Wheel Madness featuring twin 30-lap features for the 410 sprints and the URC sprints.
Visit the speedway’s official website at www.portroyalspeedway.com for all the latest speedway news and information or find Port Royal Speedway on Facebook and Twitter.