COLUMN: The Dale Earnhardt Jr. Rules

How many warnings are too many?

Truth be told, I'm not sure how I feel about what Dale Earnhardt Jr. did to win the LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday. Coming to the final restart of the race, he not only passed the pace car on three different occasions while leading -- earning repeated admonishments from NASCAR -- but he also dipped below the line coming out of turn 4 heading to the green flag to create a ridiculously disjointed restart.

I know he likely wouldn't have won had the caution not come out shortly after the white flag flew, and I know that no one's safety was put in jeopardy by him coasting pass the pace car with the engine shut off. But still, rules are rules -- and at every track in America, it's standard practice that passing of the pace car is not permitted.

Especially if you've been warned not once, not twice, but three times.

I'm just left to wonder if someone with a more questionable reputation -- and far less a fan favorite, like a Kevin Harvick or a Robby Gordon -- someone who isn't Sprint Cup racing's poster boy, would have been given so much leeway.

Drivers in the Cup garage learned one thing this weekend when NASCAR called them out onto the collective carpet for their recent criticism of the Car of Tomorrow, telling drivers it would no longer be tolerated. We're all led to believe that NASCAR means business when it says so, that it's not afraid to lay down the law and do a little housekeeping in its own place when it feels it has to.

We also learned that if you're Dale Earnhardt Jr., the sport's most marketable and popular personality, you're given plenty of leeway.

I'm just not sure if it's right.

But on the other side of the fence, we know it's not only NASCAR's officials that hold Earnhardt to a different standard. The media and other Sprint Cup competitors hold him to a different standard by and large, too.

When Greg Biffle ran out of fuel after taking the white flag and while under caution during a race at Kansas last fall, he was ripped by other drivers for not maintaining what they felt was "reasonable speed." Several drivers, Jimmie Johnson included, were vocal in their displeasure at NASCAR allowing Biffle to keep his win.

There was no such belly-aching on Sunday, and for a brief moment, Dodge driver Kasey Kahne even helped push Earnhardt down the frontstretch en route to the checkered flag.

The media has been easy on Earnhardt, too, for his passing of the pace car. More noticeably, in comparison to another recent high-profile fuel mileage win, there has been glowing praise heaped upon Earnhardt's shoulders.

When Danica Patrick won her first Indy car race in Japan earlier this spring, Bob Margolis of Yahoo! Sports was extremely critical, saying, in essence, that she hadn't really won anything. On Sunday, he was downright happy to see Earnhardt win a race in the same manner.

Margolis said Earnhardt's win was "sweeter," because "the guy who won it had been looking for a win for, well, it seems like forever."

It seems when it comes to Earnhardt Jr., the NASCAR world truly has a different set of rules.

If he can pass the pace car without penalty, can a 5-tire pit stop or a bigger rear wing be far behind?

Comments

[mike sands]

Kasey Kahne never pushed him,get your facts straight and drink some more koolaid!!!
In his own words,write what you want too,we got a WIN!!!

From TB:

"We?"

[joe]

drivers didnt complain because biffle was to slow under yellow it was because he was stopped under yellow and was passed by other drivers. if youre going to write about nascar at least have your facts straight

[Kevin]

If NASCAR wanted to help Junior win the race they wouldn't have called a caution when Sam Hornish spun without hitting anything.

From TB:

That's not entirely true. If they wanted to help him win they absolutely would have thrown that caution -- knowing that cars use a fraction of the fuel under caution that they would use under green.

[BAMA23SMOKE20]

First, let me start by saying I am a "true" NASCAR fanatic, and have been for years (back to when Cale was driving).
I have always said, in my opinion, NASCAR was a "true" athletic sport and drivers were "true" athletes, try having the "average-Joe" do what these death-defying drivers do, not just for one race, but an entire season. However, my opinion was been greatly altered as of yesterdays Michigan "Life-Lock" 400, not my opinion on the latter point, but on the first opinion....THE SPORT.

A sporting outcome is determined on the field, on the court, on the diamond, on the rink, maybe even by the officials (ala Kenseth pit-stop), but NEVER, let me repeat myself in case you missed that last line....NEVER by management or ownership, that would be titled by another name....... maybe....... COLLUSION!!!

Maybe the U.S. Senate should leave Bob Kraft and the Patriots alone and start talking to the France Family.
NASCAR accomplished what it, not only wanted to do, but, what it NEEDED..... to divert the attention of media and fans from the "black-eye" (pardon the pun) of the surprise announcement of the upcoming racial and sexual harassment lawsuit, to the "faux-win", no matter how fixed it was, of the NASCAR "golden-child.

Can someone please explain to me how a driver with so little to claim as accomplishments can garner so much attention by fans and media.... that however is enough for a whole series of articles in itself?!?!?!

Way to go NASCAR...... "WAG THE DOG"..... no one does it better than you!!!!!

[1FastSOB]

Is anyone really surprised by the double standard? What does surprises me is that even with the preferential treatment, one of the biggest budget teams and the best equipment in the sport, all that little E can manage is a fuel mileage win 15 races into the season. Really? Don’t get me wrong; he only “bent” the rules as much as NASCAR let him. But is this really the type of win Jr. nation was looking for and wants to hang their hats on? I was a huge Dale Sr. fan and I guess I had higher expectations. Rather than getting up on the wheel and charging to the front, we get stretched rules and a coast across the finish line after a 76-race wait. Wow.

[Sean]

You need to get your facts straight, read afew articles guy. Kasey Kahne never pushed the 88 car, and as soon as he was told that he could not pass the pace car and that was relayed to him in the car Jr. stopped. Along with the last fact that riding on the apron to save fuel and keep it in the pickup is standard practice... Please either watch NASCAR further/ get an understanding of it, or write without bias'.

From TB:

I think it was pretty clear in the column that I "wasn't sure how I felt." Go ahead and explain to me how that's biased???

[Sharon]

So its okay for Biffle to do, but not Junior? The No.99 team can blatanly do something for an advantage that got them a win, and actually keep the win, but when Junior coasts a little past the pacecar its a travesty, an injustice? Get real. Kasey Kahne didnt push Junior over the finish line...I have seen pictures to prove that. He maintained speed and finished the race himself. It wouldnt matter what Junior did, there are some who are just going to dissect it and take issue with it. Sort of pathetic if you ask me.

[Otis]

Check your facts...there is no written rule against what he did, and he was formally warned by NASCAR not to do it one time, after which he complied.

From TB:

I'm a big fan of the "check your facts" criticism. Now, you can check yours. NASCAR warned Earnhardt 3 times about passing the pace car -- and on the 3rd occasion they threatened to park him.

[Graceann]

Kasey Kahne did not push Jr. I thought so at first from the angle on TV, but if you rewatch you will see he was just so close it just appears that way. I am not a huge fan of the fuel mileage wins but sometimes that's the way it goes. I am not so sure of the passing of the pace car, NASCAR is famous for inconsistent rule changes. Yes, there was an uproar over Bifle last season and the HMS drivers were the loudest. However, it is over and down in the books Jr is the winner and no amount of complaining will change it. I do think the POWERS of NASCAR need to have a written book of rules on all "what ifs" and at least try to be more consistent if they expect the fans to continue to pay the high fuel and ticket prices to come to the track.

[Jackie]

For all you Dale, Sr fans...please look back at the Daytone 500 he won. He WON UNDER CAUTION!!!!

[Larry]

It has become clear to me that you writers will jump on Jr's coat tails no matter what. Be it good press or bad, you guys have to write something about Jr so people will read you. Not a problem. Jr. won, that is in the books, did NASCAR help him? Questionable. Has NASCAR helped other drives with questionable calls in the past? YES they have( depending on your perspective). How quickly we forget the controversies of the past. Truth is, NASCAR has done nothing new at all, they make calls that we fans either hate or love. What has changed? Jr won the race, they out smarted the rest of the teams, they stretched the rules better than the rest of the teams, they deserve the win, they have the win, and all the belly aching and negative press isn't going to change it.

[Valeri]

I have commented on these articles trying to diminish Dale Jr.'s win so let me say this again; Dale Jr. has the trophy, the money and the WIN!!! There is NOTHING you can do or say that will change that. Have a good week and keep complaining if you want to. Jr Nation is going to have a great week!!!!

From TB:

If you could just please point out where I was complaining, that would be fantastic. The "Junior Rules" I refer to have more to do with the media's lack of outcry and other competitors' non-responses.

[James030]

Does anyone remember the 1999 (I think) Pepsi 400 at Daytona that Dale Jarrett won under caution as he was running out of fuel? He was passing the pace car down on the apron as well that night... And guess who finished 2nd and never complained? That would be Dale Sr...

[garrett]

NASCAR officials explained that the "passing the pace car" rule was set up so that guys couldn't gain a lap on the field, which is clearly not what Jr was doing, so they told him to knock it off. No harm was intended. Kenseth was crying like a baby.

As for the fuel mileage win, guys win on pit strategy all the time...2 tires, 4 tires, gas n' go, or in this case, nothing. You can't cheapen a win because of strategy. Same goes for all sports. Should hockey goals be discounted because the goalie was pulled in favor of a forward? Should baseball teams not be able to throw pitchers for 1 batter? Are hail mary's a cheap touchdown? What about hack-a-shaq? You get my point.

From TB:

I don't recall saying that I thought it was a 'cheap' win because of fuel mileage. In fact, I don't think so at all -- strategy is strategy. But, I would point out, and did before, that some media tried discrediting Danica Patrick's win for that very reason.

[DonB]

Funny how people see the same race, and see it Different, funny how people read the same article, and read it Different

[shaneb]

Many many wins over the years have come from fuel strategy and just plain luck. No matter who is on top people are gonna bash them. The last couple years when johnson and gorgon were tearing it up everyone called foul and said they were getting special treatment. Now I am not a gordon or johnson fan, actually quite the opposite but come on, do you people really think NASCAR would risk the multi million dollar empire they have built just to get Gordon Johnson or JR a win???? If that was the case he would have won a championship by now and would never have gone over 2 years without a win. A JR championship would be HUGE for NASCAR but they aren't gonna cheat to make it happen.

[kristy]

Kasey did not push Junior. Tony Stewart used to bump draft the pace car and no one had a problem with that. If Nascar wanted to help Jr win a race, they wouldn't have waited 76 races to do it. Perhaps if this wasn't some petty complaint, more drivers would have complained about it. No matter how he got his first win with Hendrick, someone would be complaining about something.

[KC]

I agree with your article completely. I find it very, very refreshing to know that there are journalist that call it like they see it, notwithstanding Jr. Nation.

From TB:

Mom? Is that you?

[Gary]

New rules that apply only to Dale Earnhardt, Jr. This list is not all-inclusive and may be amended by NASCAR at their slightest whim.

1. Pit road speed: oh, 100 MPH , give or take.

2. In case of a crash during a race a secondary car may be utilized. Race will be red-flagged while secondary car is prepared. However, this car must start tail end of the
longest line.

3. On second thought, He can re-start in the same position He was in at the time of the crash.

4. An eighth flag, this one green with a white diagonal stripe, will be added and waved at any car coming with 50 feet the 88, either during the race or under caution. Failure to comply will result in a black flag.

5. Green-white-checker format will not be utilized in the unlikely event the 88 is leading the race again at the time of the incident.

6. In case qualifying is rained out drivers will be lined up according to the following criteria: 1. Number of championships won by their father in the ‘modern era.’ 2. Owners points.

7. If Earnhardt Jr. runs out of fuel while leading on the final lap the caution will waved, the field frozen and He will be declared the winner if he can complete the remaining mileage on foot.

8. It will be strictly forbidden for anyone to compare Dale Earnhardt Jr. to Danica Patrick in any way.

[Tom]

I don't have a problem with you expressing your opinion as long as the "facts" you mention have some sort of truth to them. You're not even close man! Kasey Kahne never pushed the #88. Why on earth would he? If Dale Jr. runs out of gas and can't make it back to the flag (even under caution) Kasey wins. Everything I've heard and saw indicated NASCAR told Dale Jr. not to pass the pace car anymore and he quit. Dale Jr. is accontable for his actions on the track. I guess accountability doesn't exist in the press much anymore. You and your "facts" help prove that.

[Jeffrey]

"Rather than getting up on the wheel and charging to the front, we get stretched rules and a coast across the finish line after a 76-race wait. Wow." -BAMA23SMOKE20

After how hendrick's dominated last year, that is exactly how they got there first win this year. Remember phoenix, "let up early, your 20 seconds ahead" that was chad's words, when we all saw on tv it was more like 4-6 seconds. WOW dishonesty, not charging to the front. No one said a word, oh but wait it was johnson winning that way not jr. Shut-up BAMA23SMOKE20. I can't recall all of Sr's wins, but i would almost put a paycheck on it that at least one of them was on strategy, not charging to the front. I wouldn't have cared if Jr was running 15th and 14 cars in front all wrecked in the same corner on the last lap. I'll take that win.

[Lorraine Corson]

Junior rarely plays the fuel mileage game and everyone else does. A lot of wins are now a lot about strategy. Have you forgotten Ryan newmans 5 or 6 fuel mileage wins a few years back. By the way Dale Sr used to pass the pace car on cautions plus bump it when Elmo Langley was driving. SO CHILL OUT.

From TB:

The argument, of course, Lorraine, is that Sr. did that to play -- not to gain a competitive advantage, which is what Jr. did.

[mike sands]

when I said (we) got a win,I meant (we) got a win,I've spent about $1800.00 changing everything from felt on my pool table to the color of everything in the closet,so I feel like I'm helping sponsor (we)!!

[Kevin]

From TB:

"That's not entirely true. If they wanted to help him win they absolutely would have thrown that caution -- knowing that cars use a fraction of the fuel under caution that they would use under green."

The caution for Hornish would have been an advantage if there wasn't a green white checker finish.
The race had three laps to go when the caution came out and he had to run under caution and then run the extra laps to finish the race. When the race went green again he wasn't able to run part throttle like he was before the caution for Hornish.

[MIKE PERRY]

Get it straight they told him one time after the third time he did it and he backed off i was there and had the scanner on Jr's channel WHINE WHINE people never said a word about Hamlin causing the caution at Richmond and then sdriving to pit road,Also at Pocano Busch goeas back out to cause another caution to help his teammate get a better finish even though over 100 laps down this gave no one a advantage passing the pace car under caution JR NATION WINS

From TB:

I know you'll never see through your Junior-can-do-no-wrong glasses, but Hamlin was penalized by NASCAR. And you are lying to yourself if you say no one got an advantage by passing the pace car at Michigan. Junior did -- he used it as a means to conserve fuel.