2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pre-Season Update One

Congratulations to the NASCAR Hall of Fame class of 2018.

Rest in peace Barry Dodson, Dan Guerney, and Keith Jackson.

The most shocking instant for me occurred during an interview following Dale Jarrett’s reading of Robert Yates’ speech. Robert’s speech was heartrending and included beautiful sentiments about his family. Robert reportedly wrote the speech himself before his death in October 2017. Dale Jarrett said that Robert Yates should have been inducted in 2014 instead of DJ. I was gobsmacked. While I completely agreed with him, I had no idea he recognized, or would publicly admit, that truth. I’ve complained about Dale’s early induction while so many of those who built the NASCAR he was able to enter are not in the Hall of Fame, and some are not even on the list of potential candidates for induction. Dale isn’t the only member about which I feel that way.

I have advocated for a modification of the voting system allow the induction of members from two different categories. I would like to see NASCAR create a foundation/founder category and a modern category. I believe there should be inductions from each category each year with a separate ballot and vote for each. If the number of people entering the Hall annually remains 5, then three should be from the foundation category and two from the modern category.

I understand that NASCAR intends the Hall of Fame to be a tourist draw and profitable venture – at some point. I also believe that it should serve its stated purpose of honoring those who made the sport what it is today. Currently there are a number of members that are popular choices, and were seemingly chosen to bring in tourists, that should not have been inducted before those made it possible for the drivers of the modern era to have a career in NASCAR by building the NASCAR that existed when they started.

I believe Richard Petty is the touchstone for the delineation between foundation and modern. I think the King began in the foundation era and ended his driving career in the modern era. The end of the high point of his driving career could be the cut-off point for the categories. If the majority of your career occurred before or during his illustrious career, you’re eligible for the foundation group. If the majority of your career occurred after the heights of his historic achievements, you’re in the modern category. I feel as though it would help the voters compare apples and apples, as opposed to what is occurring now. It would also – I hope – put an end to the addition of people who should be included 20 years from now, over those who will likely never get in because the people who understand their achievements are dying off and/or no longer in power.

If this method had been used initially I believe most of the folks in the Hall of Fame would have been voted in already, but some, appropriately, would not. I believe going forward it could work, though it won’t repair the damage done by the current ‘homecoming queen’ method of selection. There are several deserving folks who have died without being inducted, while some who have not contributed as much to making NASCAR beloved are in the Hall of Fame.

Then there’s Ken Squire. He has an award named after him. I was recently told that he felt about his inclusion in the Hall of Fame as I do. He has contributed a lot to broadcasting, but does that really qualify him to be inducted – ahead of everyone on the first and/or second ballot? I don’t think so. I thought creating the Squire-Hall award put those who worked with NASCAR the deserved honor and recognition without exaggerating their status by including them in the Hall of Fame. If those who supported the sport will all be included, Linda Petty definitely should’ve been included on the first ballot along with her husband, as well as Judy Allison. The Squire-Hall award created an appropriate space for specific contributions to NASCAR. The Hall of Fame would do well to have other ‘specific/defined spaces’ for candidates for inclusion. Many are deserving, but their contributions should have context.

Jumping off the soapbox, let’s have a look at recent news. The winter weather in the Charlotte area resulted in national attention to professional drivers experiencing amateur issues with icy roads perpetuating the stereotype that southerners can’t drive in a small amount of snow. Of course we southerners know there might be a small amount of snow, but a big chunk of ice and without special equipment, no one can actually drive on ice. Just sayin’.

I’ve seen articles about Monster evaluating the deal with NASCAR. I hope Monster is providing NASCAR with a lot of money. I have not liked what I’ve seen that Monster has brought to the sport. I agree with Bunny, it isn’t a good fit. If there’s a better title sponsor available I look forward to NASCAR making a better deal with a better ‘partner’. The Monster overlord is making a mess of NASCAR. Of course the same holds true for their television deals. FOX seems to have cut back on what it provides to NASCAR coverage. I hope that’s temporary and will go back to the high quality that existed before FS1. NBC is a joke and I look forward to either an overhaul or a new deal with a professional group. Maybe while they’re reshuffling things for Dale Jr they will come up with a workable game-plan and lose some of the amateurish dead-weight that currently plagues their NASCAR broadcasts.

Practice for The Clash at Daytona will be underway February 10, so we’re less than a month to stock cars in action. Tick-tock.

Motorsports News:

2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pre-Season Update One

Next Race: Daytona

GO 48!!!!