Writing.Com: Times are changing

You know, it isn't so much about condemning the actions of the #55 team, or any other team. It's about change.

The sport is changing. Some people (Mr. Excitement) are speaking about competing in an honest and forthright manner...Jimmy Spencer is saying this. Pardon me while I laugh. There is hardly a single racing team out there that hasn't tried to push the envelope at some point and time. It's part and parcel of the sport. A bit like boxing goes with hockey...or at least it used to.

I understand that NASCAR is attempting to reinvent the image of the sport as the audience continues to expand. This means there must be an image of impeccable integrity...even if it's something of a hypocritical effort.

This sport stands on innovation. Innovation, invention...cheating. Can you see how easily one slips into the other?

However, what was done to the #55 car was cheating. Blatant. It wasn't bending the rules or tweaking an interpretation. What was attempted has been outlawed for decades. It was a desperate attempt to find a few more horsepower so that the #55 would get into the 500. Why didn't they get out the back-up car? The modification (some kind of fuel additive in the intake manifold) was probably in the back-up car as well. The crew chief has been fired. But I do wonder just who all knew about this...I wonder.

Well, lessons are learned and I hope the media madness is over. The Duels are on this afternoon. We'll be racing for real. Time to focus on the part of the sport that demands our attention week after week...

The boys will be going fast