Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
So if NASCAR wants drivers to police themselves, why did it penalize Jason Leffler in Saturday's Nationwide Series race for retaliating against James Buescher?
Because, Nationwide Series director Joe Balash said, Leffler simply went too far.
Balash told NNSRacing.com's Lee Montgomery:
"As we've talked about letting the drivers police themselves and race and those kinds of things, there's limits to everything, and when we feel those limits are crossed, then we have to step in," Balash said. "We truly believe that that was a line that was crossed."
Was Leffler remorseful? According to his comments after the wreck, not at all. Ouch!
3 comments
Comments
I have no problem with what Leffler did – however – I think what NASCAR means by “self-policing” and “have at it, boys,” does not mean that it’s ok to come back out on the track, scores of laps down, and flat out wreck somebody in retaliation for a same-day incident.
by Chef Dodge on Apr 5, 2010 2:37 AM EDT reply actions
Agree w NNS
No prob with Leffler if he feels thats what he needed to do.. but I personally draw the “have at it” line at laps down driver wrecking another who is on the lead lap. Parking deserved.
by DRLDeBoer on Apr 5, 2010 12:12 PM EDT reply actions
I think he should have been parked, but I also think his retaliation was the right way to do it. If I’m running 30 laps down and the guy that wrecked me is on the lead lap, I want to make sure he doesn’t have a good finish. Worst case, I get parked and don’t get to run anymore and MAY lose 1 spot. The alternative is I can take the guy out running in the top 10 next week and get parked and have 2 bad weekends.
Also, the way Leffler did this was the right way to do it (if you are going to do it). He didn’t hook him at 190. He simply walled him and kept going. It makes for some good controversy.
by jshaunburke on Apr 5, 2010 3:24 PM EDT reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed