NASCAR chairman Brian France held two town hall meetings Tuesday with the sport’s “stakeholders” to discuss everything from its toughened drug policy to the economy, competition and fan interest.
“I learned a long time ago if you get everybody involved, they can’t complain,” team owner Rick Hendrick said after exiting the morning session. “That’s what happens in our sport, people don’t feel like they get a voice.” … Details
Team owner Rick Hendrick, who has previously said he doesn’t plan to make changes to Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s team, wasn’t as definitive on Tuesday.
“Could it change?” Hendrick said following a meeting with NASCAR officials at the Research and Development Center. “We’re talking about things. We’re going to make decisions as the days go by, but we haven’t made any decisions as it stands now.”
Hendrick did not specifically say the change would be to break up Earnhardt and crew chief Tony Eury Jr. before this weekend’s race at Dover. But in the past when discussing changes he made it clear that wasn’t a consideration…Â Details & Video
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At the very beginning of this year NASCAR initiated a new substance abuse policy. Part of that policy featured random drug testing during a race weekend. The bottom line here was clearly evident: NASCAR has a zero tolerance policy towards drivers being behind the wheel of their race cars while under the influence of drugs.
The new policy was heralded by the drivers, team owners, the racing media and the fans. Many said it was about time a stronger policy was introduced. It was also noted that NASCAR’s new substance abuse policy made them stand considerably taller above the programs used by the other major sports in this country… Details
Today’s 93rd running of the Indianapolis 500 is taking place at a weird time in motorsport. Actually, there really never isn’t a weird time in motorsport, but the ongoing financial collapse and tepid, sort-of, kind-of recovery, coupled with tanking sales and bankruptcies in the auto industry, has made this moment extra-weird.
Just for background, there are three main types of car racing that matter: IRL, of which the Indy 500 is a marquee event; Formula One; and NASCAR. Each has its own flavor. The first two are “open wheel” categories, featuring the exotic-looking race cars outfitted with sculptural aerodynamic technologies and uncovered wheels. NASCAR showcases “stock” cars that are supposed to be based on existing Chevys and Fords but that are, in fact, custom-built …Â Details
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