Let me begin by disclosing that I am an unabashed fan of Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (as if there was any doubt amongst readers of this blog). So, I understand that I may be a little biased here, but NASCAR's arbitrary rule-making and enforcement reared its ugly head again this afternoon.
This afternoon, NASCAR fined Dale Earnhardt, Jr. $10,000 for using the s-word in a post-race interview that was broadcast live on NBC. But that's not all. NASCAR also docked Junior 25 points. That deduction dropped Earnhardt out of first place in the championship standings.
All year, NASCAR has been warning its drivers to keep their language clean in radio and TV interviews. Earlier this year NASCAR docked Johnny Sauter and Ron Hornaday 25 points for using that same word in radio interviews. But, unlike Sauter and Hornaday, Little E was not speaking ill of anyone or acting in anger. Rather, Earnhardt was rejoicing in victory lane after winning the race and taking the points lead. So, what exactly did Earnhardt say?
Immediately after climbing from his car, Earnhardt told NBC microphones, "Well, it don't mean s*** right now. Daddy's won here 10 times. So, I've got to do more winning. But we're going to get there. He was the master. I'm just following in his tracks."
My summary: I am all in favor of returning decency to public discourse. Furthermore, NASCAR has every right to try to maintain some control over its image. However, the remedy for language violations should remain a monetary fine. Points should not be docked for off-track infractions. The NBA fines athletes for bad language in TV interviews. But, can you imagine if a team was stripped of a win due to post-game swearing? It's unthinkable. It just doesn't make any sense at all that drivers never lose points for destroying another driver's chance at winning by putting him into the wall and yet a jubilant slip of the tongue could cost a driver a championship.
