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There is very little in
this world more frustrating then dealing with the midnight deadline
of April 15.
As I see it, a four-day run of restrictor plate racing is less of a
challenge then understanding the United States Tax Code. At least in
the Tax Code there isn’t a word about going under the yellow line,
no matter if you are trying to reduce your tax liability (which is,
in a way, a means of advancing your position).
Now, if only we could get the IRS to understand when a mistake is a
mistake versus it being a deliberate attempt to defraud the
government. It would be as if the media center suddenly broke out in
a chorus of “We believe” when faced with an explanation from the
NASCAR brass.
Mind you, I have no complaints with the decision at Talladega as
handed down by Mike Helton, NASCAR President. I don’t even have a
problem with the no-call/call situation from Texas.
However, just so no one starts calling me spineless, there is little
room from agreement on the call that surely cost Brian Vickers a
chance at his first career win.
It doesn’t matter that I disagree with NASCAR on the call involving
Vickers. It also doesn’t matter that I agree with NASCAR on other
issues. What matters is that one takes the time to listen and try to
understand the position of another. NASCAR listens. Why shouldn’t
the media?
It appears, at least from listening to an assorted number of
scribes, that it is far easier to spend a day painting a picture of
a jackass, and then it might be to take an afternoon to see a horse
of a different color.
If you are wondering where this is all leading, maybe I should just
state more specifically that this writer has grown sick of those he
would call peers. So sick, in fact, that it no longer amazes me that
two of these peers, albeit great story tellers, in reality show
little interest in putting out the facts. Add to those the few who
have sworn vendettas against certain car owner or drivers, one or
two who find the landscape looks best while expanding their lungs
with illegal drugs, and one who swears so heavily it could make a
sailor blush and you can see the media pool is more like a
Mississippi swamp then an Olympic arena.
Luckily, a minority actually is concerned with the facts, and not
with publishing a great rumor or exaggeration of the truth.
While he hasn’t said so, even our esteemed publisher has been
disappointed with the efforts of this lowly scribe over the past
three months. He is not alone in that disappointment.
Therefore, with the reality of an error in judgment admitted, a new
start begins. All I ask is that you try to understand my lack of
effort and work with me as it improves.
I figure if NASCAR deserves the benefit of the doubt, so do I.
The author can be contacted
stanc@autoracing1.com
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