At Sunday’s YellaWood 500 from Talladega Superspeedway, Denny Hamlin beat Matt DiBenedetto by .023-seconds in a photo finish. However, Hamlin was below the yellow line while avoiding a near wreck and advanced his position, which is against the rules, according to NASCAR. In the NASCAR rule book, drivers who advance their position below the yellow line result in either a drive-through penalty or regulated to the last car on the lead lap. These rules only apply to Talladega and Daytona.
After the race, Matt DiBenedetto was penalized for forcing William Byron to the double yellow line and finished in 21st, while Chris Buescher was penalized for a similar penalty and finished in 22nd place. Chase Elliott was initially penalized, but after his team filed an appeal, it was rescinded, and he would finish in fifth. Fans showed their displeasure for Hamlin during his victory speech on the track.
Before the finish, the race switched networks from NBC to NBCSN. This left many fans who don’t get NBCSN unable to watch the finish.
After the race, NBC Sports broadcaster and NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. suggested that the double yellow line should be eliminated.
While Earnhardt Jr. did make some good points about eliminating the rule, another problem arises. With no yellow line, some people are concerned that drivers would drive down close to the grass to take the shortest distance around the track. This would create another scenario of 4 or more wide racing.
Many NASCAR fans and reporters expressed their frustration with the finish. Fans feel NASCAR has its favorites and will go out of their way to help their favorite drivers. The rules they create only apply to those who buck them, speak their minds, and challenge their decisions.
On Sunday, fans were frustrated regarding the switching of the networks and the race’s finish. NASCAR must make changes right now. First, the networks should have earlier start times for the races. Go back to what was with 1 p.m. start times. Daytona and Talladega always take longer to finish due to multiple crashes. If networks aren’t willing to stay with the race to the end, then move the start time up. Otherwise, end the race under caution and no green, white checkered endings.
While it is not a popular decision, having races finish under caution will guarantee the race will end on time. This year, the NTT IndyCar Series was criticized for not waving a red flag to stop the field at both the Indy 500 and Gateway so fans could see a finish. After yesterday’s race, you can’t blame IndyCar for finishing under yellow. At least, they would not have a controversial finish.
After the race, Scott Miller, the vice president of competition, had this to say during his interview with NASCAR on FOX reporter Bob Pockrass.
Scott Miller describes the yellow-line calls on the final lap, penalizing Matt DiBenedetto and Chase Elliott and no penalty for race winner Denny Hamlin. Plus his thoughts on eliminating the rule: pic.twitter.com/DzZwE6wfax — Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 4, 2020
Races like the one this past Sunday is just one reason why fans have stopped watching NASCAR. They hate that NASCAR makes rules and then breaks them. Along with creating fake cars, the playoff system, and implementing the political stance this season, NASCAR has led fans to turn the tv off or, better yet, watch the other racing series.
This race should be a learning lesson for NASCAR. There should be no more overtime attempts, no more red flags unless there is significant clean up needed, and no more switching networks if races go longer than expected. End races at the exact distance they are scheduled for, and if the race ends in caution, so be it. But then NASCAR doesn’t listen, they are too busy watching Ricky Bobby and sucking a lollipop.
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