For the last couple of years now, NASCAR fans have been talking about what is commonly referred to as phantom cautions and even some drivers including Kyle Petty and Matt Kenseth have commented too on these phantom cautions only they called them entertainment cautions, including Kyle Petty saying “If it helps for better racing, then the more the better and that its all about entertaining the fans”, but despite those comments, until now, NASCAR has not really had any reaction.
Fast forward to last Tuesday's comments made by Tony Stewart on his weekly satellite radio show in which Stewart had a lot to say about debris cautions including using the words “god, wrestling and the integrity of the sport” and the difference is, NASCAR had a reaction, a huge reaction so much that a 6am Friday morning meeting at Talladega was mandatory, following that meeting with a trip to the media center were the media say a completely different Tony Stewart.
Nevertheless I have to say I wouldn’t want to have heard what Stewart had to say just following the phoenix race if he was that frustrated, it was better that he went home to cool off, however he still spoke out and granted it wasn’t the best way to do so, but I will say I applaud Tony Stewart in specking out and it may have opened NASCAR’s eye’s up at least a little bit.
When it comes to entertainment or phantom cautions, there’s no need for them, debris cautions are a fact of racing in terms of safety for the drivers and the fans and this race fan has no problem with them so long as they are justified, not fake. If you want cautions, well try a competition caution either halfway or with 50 miles to go, at least everyone knows.
In the WindTunnel question of the week:
Do you think:
1. Phantom cautions for debris are fine, as long as they make the racing more exciting
2. Phantom cautions are a bogus manipulation of the competition and thus harmful to the integrity of the sport.
My answer is simple, “2”, Phantom cautions are a bogus manipulation of the competition and thus harmful to the integrity of the sport, plus they also contribute to the downfall in ratings and track attendance.
One final comment, if I didn’t enjoy watching NASCAR racing and have a passion for it, then I would not spend 3 to 4 hours on a Saturday night or Sunday doing so, nor spend my hard earned money on collectibles, apparel or tickets to the events and despite all the this, I still have the passion for it. That’s it and hopefully after all of this NASCAR has a clear understanding of just where the fans sit on this subject and where the changes need to be made, now what’s next…See Yeah!
