Tony Stewart, Jeff Burton and the ethics of NASCAR

Would you call Tony Stewart a cheater?  Or Juan Pablo Montoya?

In veiled verbiage they each, in turn accused the other of just such a thing Sunday. In the media retelling, post incident, sides were taken - and it seems to me at least equally so.

So who is the cheater. Anyone...anyone.

Rewind ten or so years to when Mike skinner drove an RCR Lowes Chevrolet and proudly, vehemently crowed, " I'd wreck my own mother to win a race!." frustratedly, after not quite being able to catch his mother.

Had he caught mom - and wrecked the poor dear - to win his first and only, then Winston Cup, race would you forever think him a scoundrel?

If your 10 year old little leaguer hits a ball that goes through the legs of the second baseman and as your future big leaguer rounds first base and heads for second, she misses the base altogether. You saw it. Your little bambino knows it - but the ump misses it.  The fans cheer. Your kid is all smiles. What do you do?  If you don't voluntarily call your own kid out, are you a cheat?

My answer to all of the above is, no.  I believe that in sports, you compete to win your competitions, whether large or small, and if during the heat of those competitions, you push or exceed the rule book it's up to the referees to referee.

Jeff Burton has had three, at least, occasions this year to race for a win at the end of major races. He has, in every instance, and for all to see, seemingly avoided contact with his competitor and raced them clean.

He has won two of the three races that I am referring to. He is, certainly, a gentleman racer.

I just wonder if Richard Childress wouldn't prefer someone with Mike Skinner's attitude. Or The Intimidator's.

Photo credit: Beth Anne Heisler - On Pit Row

Comments

[marc]

Or Robby Gordon?

[racefan57]

Everything evolves

[Vroom!]

Burton is a true gentleman on the ovals...I keep scrolling down to that foto of Ingrid, bad boy, bad boy!!

[charlie]

True Marc. Childress had lightning in a bottle when he had Robby. It seems noone can fully harness that lightning, though.
Blatant plug alert: We are hoping to have Robby on the show tonight.