The thrilling world of NASCAR, where victory or defeat is often decided in mere fractions of a second, has been a subject of recent debate. The focal point of this controversy is the conduct of drivers on superspeedways, with some including racing titan, Alex Bowman, questioning the fading ethics of the sport. Bowman’s insights, stemming from lessons learned from racing icon Jeff Gordon, shed light on the thinning lines of driver etiquette.
Often, drivers involved in superspeedway crashes, such as the ones frequently seen at Daytona and Talladega, shrug off responsibility with a dismissive “it’s just superspeedway racing”. Joey Logano, a Penske star, is one such example. Despite playing a role in sparking a massive pile-up in a recent race, Logano refused to take blame, attributing the mishap to the frantic nature of the race. Interestingly, Gordon, a staunch advocate of driver ethics, openly criticized Logano’s actions, a sentiment echoed by many within the racing community.
Bowman, reflecting on the current state of superspeedway racing, agreed with Gordon’s stance. He acknowledged that almost every driver, himself included, has caused a crash at some point. However, unlike Logano and others, Bowman expressed remorse for his past mistakes. He recounted a Daytona 500 incident where he was responsible for a crash, emphasizing how hard he was on himself afterward. This self-accountability reflects the principles imparted on him by his mentors at Hendrick Motorsports, a team known for its commitment to racing ethics.
Hendrick Motorsports’ dedication to maintaining racing ethics is not just a personal choice, but a tradition upheld by its mentors, Johnson and Earnhardt Jr. They believe drivers should be held accountable for their actions on the track. Yet, the decline in driver etiquette raises questions about whether drivers like Bowman can sustain this tradition.
However, beyond driver ethics, the current state of superspeedway racing presents more significant concerns. The aggressive tactics used on high-banking tracks like Daytona, resulting from the implementation of the Next Gen car and parity racing, have been highlighted as problematic. Denny Hamlin, a known critic of these issues, proposed reducing horsepower and drag for better control on superspeedways.
Superspeedway races are visually appealing with their three-wide, close-packed racing. Yet, they often become tedious for drivers who must maintain slow laps for the majority of the race, leading to strategic fuel-saving tactics. This tension culminates in a final push, often resulting in catastrophic crashes. Hamlin believes the solution lies in reducing horsepower and drag, which would allow drivers more control and reduce accidents.
The transformation of superspeedway racing is an ongoing process, and NASCAR still has a long road ahead to create a product suitable for its iconic drafting tracks. In this changing landscape, the wisdom of veterans like Jeff Gordon and the introspective approach of drivers like Alex Bowman will play a crucial role in preserving the essence of the sport.
