This is a public service announcement provided to the real NASCAR fan by the author of this column.
Moments after the checkered flag flies this coming Sunday (Nov. 21), you will be told what you have witnessed this past racing season.
You will be told that you have been privy to perhaps the most exciting and thrilling NASCAR championship in modern history.
You will be told that you, the fan, begged for this finish and that NASCAR, or more importantly, Brian France, has given you exactly what you have asked for.
You will be told that this year will go down in history as the crown jewel of France’s reign as King.
You will be told that the future of the sport you love is vibrant and thriving, despite what radical, right-wing, gonzo journalists like myself are publishing.
What you won’t be told, among other things, is this set of facts:
Denny Hamlin was eliminated from contention after Texas. Jimmie Johnson was eliminated this past week in Phoenix. Kevin Harvick is your 2010 Cup champion (under the old points format, of course).
How do you like being told what you think?
Actually, you don’t have to wait until Sunday at all to get a head start on finding out what you believe. Sympathetic articles, such as this one by thatsracin.com editor, Bob Henry, will get you started.
As you can see, Mr. Henry does point out some of the finer points of exactly what most of you have been saying for quite some time now. Unfortunately, as he states in his closing statements, the problem is not NASCAR, but rather, a communication problem. (Seems kind of ironic to me, seeing as how the sport’s title sponsor’s very business is communication!) Anyways, his point is you have not been giving them a chance. Maybe you should after this next race!
As longtime readers know, I am the first to yell when things go wrong and when things go right. I have applauded recent NASCAR decisions such as double-file restarts, green-white-checkered finishes (not three of them, though) and more uniform start times. Conversely, I have also pointed out to you that while these changes ARE good, it was, and is, a frantic effort to stop a mass exodus by millions of fans who are tired of the general BS that NASCAR, under the direction of Brian France, has become.
Yes, there has been some very good races of late, but let me ask you… for I, unlike those in the ivory towers, see and read all your comments and I trust your judgment… don’t you think the racing would have been just as good without having to crown another possible fake champion? I say “possible” because if Harvick can pull it off, he will truly be the real champion, despite NASCAR’s best efforts. He is, after all, only the guy who has scored the most points all season.
So be forewarned. Brian France and company are going to show you how they have carved a beautiful rose out of a hardened turd this season and yes, it sure does look nice sometimes! However, I applaud all of you who do take the time to write and email and have the guts (and audacity) to see the “rose” for what is really is.
I trust you all to make your own decisions. Someday, we will get our sport back. Your views, through the mighty voice of your dollars staying in your wallets and the clicking of your remote controls IS being heard. And if NASCAR has to go to great lengths to convince you that you have just seen a fantastic season, seems to me that the “failure to communicate” is on their end, not ours!
Congratulations to Kevin Harvick!
Stay off the wall,
Jeff Meyer
About the author
The Frontstretch Staff is made up of a group of talented men and women spread out all over the United States and Canada. Residing in 15 states throughout the country, plus Ontario, and widely ranging in age, the staff showcases a wide variety of diverse opinions that will keep you coming back for more week in and week out.
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