| According to media debriefings, most of NASCAR's | | | | Helton also stressed that griping in public is bad for |
| private session at Michigan went something like: | | | | business. He told the assembled millionaires how |
| Before you speak, think. And then, think again. Come | | | | fortunate they were to drive a race car once or |
| to us first. Keep an upper chin and look on the bright | | | | twice a week, making a living that far exceeds what |
| side. Consider how lucky you are . . . | | | | the common man can afford. |
| NASCAR is known for disciplining its drivers in the | | | | Greg Biffle shared that drivers were informed that |
| so-called hauler, a mobile trailer taken to each race | | | | future criticisms should be handled internally and not |
| that amounts to the sanctioning body's version of | | | | through the media, that doing so would encourage |
| the principal's office. NASCAR officials met for less | | | | better communication between the governing body |
| than 10 minutes with drivers and owners on June 13 | | | | and independent race teams, and allow more and |
| in a bigger setting, effectively pressing the mute | | | | faster solutions to perceived problems. Jeff Gordon |
| button on Car of Tomorrow complaints and other, | | | | added that the get together was not a gripe session |
| unnamed concerns. The meeting occurred after | | | | and Helton never said specifically to put a lid on it. |
| NASCAR told drivers in the preseason to express | | | | The $225 million lawsuit recently filed against |
| themselves openly without fear of reprisal. | | | | NASCAR apparently was never mentioned. Gordon |
| The COT has been substandard at some of the | | | | would not elaborate on what else was discussed, but |
| bigger tracks this season, and Michigan's two-mile oval | | | | said it was a good idea to get everyone together to |
| invited a bigger black eye if drivers continued to carp. | | | | air things out before going public and starting rumors. |
| Hence, the collective warning. | | | | Biffle says such meetings, currently, are too |
| Some of the main beefs on the COT have been that | | | | infrequent to have any positive effect. |
| the car is too heavy around turns, and passing is too | | | | The COT is here to stay, so get used to it, Helton |
| difficult due to unsettled aerodynamics and the car's | | | | concluded. NASCAR has let it be known that |
| extra width. The final straw came at Pocono in early | | | | someone is available to listen to any and all concerns, |
| June, when drivers said the COT was too hot in the | | | | and that most issues can be resolved in private |
| cockpit, a fact that was verified by NASCAR | | | | before stirring the masses. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is not |
| technical director Steve Peterson. | | | | convinced, saying drivers can carry more weight if |
| NASCAR president Mike Helton was the featured | | | | they go through different mediums, where more |
| main speaker at the brief gathering. Writers, | | | | pressure is applied by the paying public, who are not |
| broadcasters, and camera crews were not invited, | | | | accountable to NASCAR's heavy hand or random |
| but media personnel waited outside to get comments | | | | discipline. Even so, Junior admits that frequent venting |
| and general observations. Drivers and team owners, | | | | through the airwaves or print medium is not healthy |
| they were told, should feel satisfied with the car as it | | | | for the sport. |
| is and not demean what NASCAR has done to make | | | | Sounds like slower ticket sales are the real problem. |
| the sport safer, more competitive, and ultimately less | | | | The call is out for better racing without yielding driver |
| costly. Media magnet Tony Stewart wasn't sure | | | | safety. If the COT's the problem, fixing it is time |
| what to think, but says he was made to feel like | | | | sensitive. |
| he'd just found the proverbial pearl of great price. | | | | |