| Waltrip’s Missed Opportunity |
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| Written by Phil Reggio | |||||||
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Each week, throughout the sporting calendar, from January 1 to December 31, the actions of athletes give us something to talk about. Whether it is “water-cooler” material, poker table banter, or barroom debates, clowns are born every day. And with that said, I would like to crown this week’s king: Michael Waltrip. Okay, Mike, actually the title will be shared with Timmy Hardaway, but for now, I’ll focus on #55.  NASCAR has become bigger than anyone might have imagined. The sponsor dollars, television dollars, and memorabilia dollars has created a mega-corporation, rivaling the dominance of the NFL and Major League Baseball within the American sports arena.Once a sport identified with the South, NASCAR is watched all over the country and world, loved by hundreds of millions religiously. I must admit, you won’t find a Jeff Gordon t-shirt in my closet, yet, I can’t help but notice how many people talk up the races, collect the die cast cars, and wear the M & M’s jackets. The guys at NASCAR marketing deserve a raise. Which brings me to this week’s burning question: Why did Michael Waltrip have a foreign substance on or in his car? I think I can answer that question. Money. NASCAR is no longer a good ole’ boys sport. The competition to keep sponsors is brutal, and drivers can no longer race on the circuit by name alone. Results speak volumes; hence, cheating has become as common and ordinary in NASCAR as the Confederate flags that adorn the skies of racetracks throughout the South. So why pick on Waltrip when so many are testing the waters? Michael spoke to his penalty from NASCAR and was quoted as saying, “During preparations for the 2007 season and especially the 2007 Daytona 500, I specifically requested that our competition teams not disrespect NASCAR, our competitors or our sponsors by blatantly circumventing the rules.” Okay Michael, sounds like your employees “blatantly disrespected” NASCAR while “sprucing up” your car. Now, the fans of NASCAR want to know if the orders were handed down, godfather style, or was someone trying to make decisions for you, without your knowledge or blessing? As the owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, full responsibility does fall upon you, and if you truly wanted to send a message to your sport and the fan base that follows NASCAR, bowing out this week’s race would have been the right decision. Yet, with the attention of the media locked directly on #55, the sponsors are toasting their glasses, blatantly turning their back to the “immoral” decisions made by either you or your crew. NASCAR has tried to firm up their penalties this year with the increasing number of “irregularities” found before and after races on their racecars, and I can respect the hard-line approach. However, wouldn’t it be great to see one of NASCAR’s finest drivers step-up and actually step-down from a race, sending a clear message to all drivers? A few universities have imposed penalties upon their programs when violations have come into the public eye, and I applaud the effort. The MLB Players Union has fought drug testing forever and now finds itself being looked after by the U.S. Congress (what a waste of tax dollars). The NFL seems to have done something right. Their hard-core policies keep most of the athletes in line. With that said, NASCAR is trying to send a clear message by not only fining teams, but also taking points away. Bravo. Lost points equal fewer dollars, and fewer dollars equal zero sponsors. Still, I’m waiting for the day when someone realizes that cheating is not something that should be justified, promoted, or taken lightly. The days of moral decision-making seem to be lost amongst the dollars that now encompass professional sporting events from sea to shining sea. What has become of professional sports, and why do we turn our backs and drool over the soap opera like dramas that are covered and aired by ESPN? Memo to all professional athletes… respect can’t be bought and cheating makes it hard to earn it back.
Ross
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Falling on your sword is noble, indeed. But, what if he's innocent? Michael Waltrip is a classy guy. I choose to give him the benefit of the doubt. I believe his statement and apology: Michael Waltrip Statement on NASCAR Penalty for the No. 55 MWR Entry -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 02-14-2007 08:00pm - DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. ? Michael Waltrip?s statement regarding the NASCAR penalties handed down this evening to the No. 55 Michael Waltrip Racing entry: ?In the past 12 months, Michael Waltrip Racing has hired more than 150 people and we currently employ more than 200. Although we have grown at an accelerated pace, it has been our mission to hire people with high moral value and character to properly represent our sponsors and our ownership. ?During preparations for the 2007 season and especially the 2007 Daytona 500, I specifically requested that our competition teams not disrespect NASCAR, our competitors or our sponsors by blatantly circumventing the rules. ?This is not the action of an organization, a manufacturer or a sponsor. This was an independent act done without consent or authorization from me or any of my executive management team. As an owner, I realize I am ultimately held responsible for the actions of my employees. Therefore, I accept the penalties issued tonight by NASCAR. ?I respect NASCAR?s rules, its people and the sport?s integrity, which is why I am so sad and embarrassed. I am dedicated to get to the bottom of this because I will not let the independent act of an individual or individuals tarnish the incredible accomplishment my organization has made to be where we are today. ?I want to apologize to the other owners, who know how hard I?ve worked to get here in such a short period of time, NASCAR, Toyota, NAPA, all my sponsors, the drivers and especially the fans.? Go #55!!!  Go Mikey!!!  Ross |
Lenny "I'm Clean" Dykstra
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Talk means nothing in today's world Ross. Being responsible and standing behind actions, whether they are right or wrong earns respect. Eventually, one day, someone will step-up. I don't know when, but hopefully soon. |
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