Is NASCAR About to Ban Celebratory Burnouts?
R.I.P. victory lap burnouts? It sure looks that way.
NASCAR seems to have reached a tipping point in its tolerance of post-race victory burnouts, some of which damage the vehicle enough to interfere with the post-race inspection process. After an incident last weekend, the organization says it might have to lay down rules, Autoblog reports.
Following Sunday’s Cheez-It 355 at Watkins Glen International, Denny Hamlin went wild with his No. 11 Toyota, leaving it unable to reach Victory Lane. Hamlin’s tire-shredding smoke show is just one many incidents that ruffled officials.
Their fear is that post-race showboating could cover up rule violations, even though there’s no evidence of that happening.
“It’s something that’s been out there that we are trying to avoid yet balance the celebration,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR’S Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer, during an interview with SiriusXM NASCAR yesterday. “I think (we will see something) in the very near future, and this isn’t putting it all on the 11 car, this is something we’ve talked about, it’s a trend we don’t like to see.”
Drivers can expect regulations on in-car celebrations “sooner than later,” said O’Donnell, adding that new rules will likely be in place by the last quarter of the season.
“Again, not there yet, we’re talking to a lot of the teams about it but I think everybody is on board with the direction we want to go in,” he said.
That’s not tire smoke you’re seeing — it’s a funeral pyre…for tradition.
[Image: James Marvin Phelps/ Flickr]
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If Mike Helton pulls this sh** he should be fired and NASCAR will get everything it deserves. NASCAR has fallen a long way from the days of 426 Hemis and 427 Fords and Chevys ruling the track. Hell, NASCAR has fallen a great distance from Bill Elliot dominating the track in his Thunderbird, not to mention #3. With its constant rule changes and caution flags on the last lap when the favored driver isn't in first position, viewers are justified in calling NASCAR the WWE of auto racing. What a crock of ****.
Rules, rules, and more rules. Government of all types expands inexorably until it destroys what it's regulating. What's needed is a production car racing circuit with minimal rules to replace NASCAR. The car has to be one that can be bought at a dealer, and sold a minimum number of retail sales. Any other rules are for safety and preventing additions that can interfere with and/or damage other cars, like outlawing those spinning blades in the chariot race in Ben Hur. Otherwise, let the drivers go at it.
When did NASCAR stop loving America?
Burnouts are childish and dumb. The sooner they leave NA$CAR the better.