T
tstwrt2win2002
Guest
I dont know if this has already been shown here (if it has, sorry about repeating it) I found it on the team DEI webpage.
TEMPER, TEMPER
Commentary By Dawn Poplin
September 18th, 2002
Much has been said lately about the hot tempers in NASCAR and what should be done to drivers who cross the line of expected behavior. Drivers have been fined, penalized points, put on probation, and forced to sit out races. The decisions made are without a doubt controversial. Each driver has fans and critics who will argue over whether the man in question is being unfairly targeted or simply receiving just rewards. Drivers themselves disagree over the justness of the penalties assessed to their peers. At the center of this controversy sit those who must make the disciplinary decisions concerning those who are guilty of “conduct unbecoming to NASCAR”.
I have been reflecting on this matter, and would like to make a request of the NASCAR administration, media, and even to the fans of this sport, which we all claim to love so much.
Racing involves a high level of intensity. When a driver is involved in an incident, he invariably gets out of his car angry with someone or something—another driver, himself, his car, or just plain dumb luck. Cameras zoom in to catch that first sign of frustration. If it is especially “expressive”, that footage will be shown all week. When he emerges from the infield care center, he is met with microphones and questions. He has not had time to collect his thoughts, review the tape footage, or deal with his frustration. His words at this time may be quite colorful, and he is sure to be quoted several times.
Consider the Bristol race. Several men later expressed regret or even shame for their actions during the race. My question is this: Is it “conduct appropriate to NASCAR” to keep showing the footage of these incidents during the race, keep a running count of the acts of aggression, and make them the main topic of conversation all week”. To the NASCAR media I say, “You are guilty of tabloid TV, many of you at the expense of your peers in the racing world.” There were many inspirational stories out there that could have been covered, but I guess the ugly stuff is better TV.
There are those men in the NASCAR world that have that extra measure of self-control. We have not seen them respond to these kinds of circumstances with physical or verbal aggression, but with grace and humility. These are extraordinary men who deserve our utmost respect, yet they are all too often overlooked because they are not “interesting” enough. But let us recognize that the others are simply men working in a very intense and public environment, where one man’s actions can be very costly to another.
Consider Ricky Rudd’s recent troubles. Ricky was blindsided with a blow to the eye that had the potential of costing him his eyesight, ending his career, or at least ending his iron man streak. Men, I ask you especially, how many of you would have refrained from retaliation in the heat of the moment? Mr. Helton, could you have turned the other cheek? I have worked in a male-dominated career field most of my adult life, and I know few men that have that kind of self-control, even if it is the desired response.
To the fans that worry about these drivers being poor role models or poor reflections of the sport, I beg you to look inward first. Each of us knows what it is like to experience a stressful day, and not be proud of the manner in which we speak to our children, spouse, parents, etc. Now, imagine your harshest words or actions being displayed on national TV or quoted in the newspapers all week. Does that make you a bad role model to your children, a bad person? No, it makes you human. Few of us will ever experience the pressures that are placed upon these men each week, especially when they are behind the wheel of their car, but we can all relate to the pain of wishing we could take back our words, or undo some action.
As a mother of three sons, I have struggled with how to discipline such angry outbursts. As I consider Tony Stewarts struggles, the regrets expressed by Jimmy Johnson and Ward Burton after the Bristol race, and other individual situations, I find something to admire in these men. It is the ability to say, “I was wrong”, “I am ashamed of my actions”, “I have a problem”, or simply “I’m sorry”. These men are role models for my sons. They, along with their father, demonstrate to my boys what real manhood is about. It is about taking responsibility for your words and actions. It is about seeking to be a better man by learning from your mistakes. I am not worried about the negative effects that seeing such outbursts will have on my children. The responsibility falls to my husband and to me to ensure that they learn the correct lessons.
My last words are for Mr. Helton and the NASCAR administrators responsible for maintaining discipline. It is said with the utmost respect for the fine line you have to walk. “Please don’t be swayed by the winds of political correctness that would have these men behave like neutered cats. It is unrealistic. These men will not emerge from their wrecked cars, and discuss their “disagreement” like Mr. Rogers and Kermit the Frog. It is passion and intensity that drives them—and that same passion and intensity will sometimes get them into trouble. Please keep that in mind. I wish you the very best”.
The opinions expressed here are the sole opinions of the writer and do not reflect the opinions of TeamDEI.net
You can email her at [email protected]
TEMPER, TEMPER
Commentary By Dawn Poplin
September 18th, 2002
Much has been said lately about the hot tempers in NASCAR and what should be done to drivers who cross the line of expected behavior. Drivers have been fined, penalized points, put on probation, and forced to sit out races. The decisions made are without a doubt controversial. Each driver has fans and critics who will argue over whether the man in question is being unfairly targeted or simply receiving just rewards. Drivers themselves disagree over the justness of the penalties assessed to their peers. At the center of this controversy sit those who must make the disciplinary decisions concerning those who are guilty of “conduct unbecoming to NASCAR”.
I have been reflecting on this matter, and would like to make a request of the NASCAR administration, media, and even to the fans of this sport, which we all claim to love so much.
Racing involves a high level of intensity. When a driver is involved in an incident, he invariably gets out of his car angry with someone or something—another driver, himself, his car, or just plain dumb luck. Cameras zoom in to catch that first sign of frustration. If it is especially “expressive”, that footage will be shown all week. When he emerges from the infield care center, he is met with microphones and questions. He has not had time to collect his thoughts, review the tape footage, or deal with his frustration. His words at this time may be quite colorful, and he is sure to be quoted several times.
Consider the Bristol race. Several men later expressed regret or even shame for their actions during the race. My question is this: Is it “conduct appropriate to NASCAR” to keep showing the footage of these incidents during the race, keep a running count of the acts of aggression, and make them the main topic of conversation all week”. To the NASCAR media I say, “You are guilty of tabloid TV, many of you at the expense of your peers in the racing world.” There were many inspirational stories out there that could have been covered, but I guess the ugly stuff is better TV.
There are those men in the NASCAR world that have that extra measure of self-control. We have not seen them respond to these kinds of circumstances with physical or verbal aggression, but with grace and humility. These are extraordinary men who deserve our utmost respect, yet they are all too often overlooked because they are not “interesting” enough. But let us recognize that the others are simply men working in a very intense and public environment, where one man’s actions can be very costly to another.
Consider Ricky Rudd’s recent troubles. Ricky was blindsided with a blow to the eye that had the potential of costing him his eyesight, ending his career, or at least ending his iron man streak. Men, I ask you especially, how many of you would have refrained from retaliation in the heat of the moment? Mr. Helton, could you have turned the other cheek? I have worked in a male-dominated career field most of my adult life, and I know few men that have that kind of self-control, even if it is the desired response.
To the fans that worry about these drivers being poor role models or poor reflections of the sport, I beg you to look inward first. Each of us knows what it is like to experience a stressful day, and not be proud of the manner in which we speak to our children, spouse, parents, etc. Now, imagine your harshest words or actions being displayed on national TV or quoted in the newspapers all week. Does that make you a bad role model to your children, a bad person? No, it makes you human. Few of us will ever experience the pressures that are placed upon these men each week, especially when they are behind the wheel of their car, but we can all relate to the pain of wishing we could take back our words, or undo some action.
As a mother of three sons, I have struggled with how to discipline such angry outbursts. As I consider Tony Stewarts struggles, the regrets expressed by Jimmy Johnson and Ward Burton after the Bristol race, and other individual situations, I find something to admire in these men. It is the ability to say, “I was wrong”, “I am ashamed of my actions”, “I have a problem”, or simply “I’m sorry”. These men are role models for my sons. They, along with their father, demonstrate to my boys what real manhood is about. It is about taking responsibility for your words and actions. It is about seeking to be a better man by learning from your mistakes. I am not worried about the negative effects that seeing such outbursts will have on my children. The responsibility falls to my husband and to me to ensure that they learn the correct lessons.
My last words are for Mr. Helton and the NASCAR administrators responsible for maintaining discipline. It is said with the utmost respect for the fine line you have to walk. “Please don’t be swayed by the winds of political correctness that would have these men behave like neutered cats. It is unrealistic. These men will not emerge from their wrecked cars, and discuss their “disagreement” like Mr. Rogers and Kermit the Frog. It is passion and intensity that drives them—and that same passion and intensity will sometimes get them into trouble. Please keep that in mind. I wish you the very best”.
The opinions expressed here are the sole opinions of the writer and do not reflect the opinions of TeamDEI.net
You can email her at [email protected]
