NASCAR drivers don’t have enough spine to boycott

Orlando Sentinel columnist David Whitley isn't the most popular scribe of NASCAR fans, but ol' Whitley hit it right on the head with his column today.

If Carl Edwards and other drivers believe it's unsafe to race at Talladega and Daytona, they should refuse to race there.

Boycott. Refuse to drive. Protest until NASCAR changes.

If the drivers' truly want change at NASCAR's superspeedways, that's the only way they'll get it done without somebody dying.

NASCAR drivers have walked out before — 40 years ago, in fact, when the sport's biggest stars like Richard Petty refused to race at Talladega. That boycott had little impact, because "King" Richard Petty wasn't big enough to force the hand of Big Bill France.

Well, guess what, folks … things have changed. Big Bill is gone and the drivers now hold the keys to NASCAR's cash register.

If they walk, so does the money.

NASCAR would listen. It would have no choice but to listen.

If NASCAR's biggest stars weren't on the track at the Coke Zero 400, fans would stay home.

Doubt me on this?

The majority of NASCAR fans watch NASCAR because of its stars, not the speed or the technology or the nuts and bolts mechanics of the cars.

Let's face facts: It's a sport driven by personalities, not horsepower. And if NASCAR thinks it could survive without its current Sprint Cup roster on the racetrack, then it's in serious trouble.

If NASCAR boss Brian France has any doubts, he should call IndyCar boss Tony George. Orlando Sentinel [Editor's Note: NASCAR drivers would never boycott, they are like sheep following the herd.]