Aric Almirola never should have been removed from the Joe Gibbs Racing, Rockwell Automation, Busch Series car last week. It was a classless act by JGR and Rockwell to pull Aric, after he qualified the car and had it running out front from the start of the race. Aric didn't help himself much after he was removed from the car though. He said in a pre-race interview that he was just "keeping the seat warm" for Denny Hamlin and he was willing to do "whatever was best for the team".
But; when he was removed from the car he took off, so as not to talk with the media and didn't return for the post race celebration. A celebration that was in all reality, HIS celebration. Denny Hamlin may have been in the car at the end of the race, but it was Aric Almirola's victory to celebrate. It's easy to say when you're not involved, but Aric could have really solidified a spot in the fans hearts if he would have taken the high road and stuck around, remembering his pre-race comments and shared victory lane with Denny Hamlin and the rest of the Joe Gibbs Racing crew.
Aric has let it be known, contrary to some bogus Internet reports, that his future lies where his past--a very successful past to boot--has been. Aric is scheduled to do more Busch Series races this year along with a Craftsman Truck Series race or two for JGR. He will not be replaced in those races and hopefully he will be able to see victory lane again soon--and be able to enjoy it.
The question all week has been who was wrong, hurt, offended and to blame for this? The answer is--practically everyone involved. It was sad that the sponsor couldn't see the benefit in keeping "the kid" in the car. Sometimes publicity sneaks up on you when you least expect it. JGR and Denny Hamlin could have refused to make the change, with the definite probability of pissing off the sponsor. Somethings are worth more than money.
JGR had made a huge deal out of not pursuing Dale Earnhardt Jr. because they didn't want to be associated with Budweiser. I'll hitch my wagon to someone who has the chutzpah to stand up to "the man"; when "the man" is wrong, regardless of the potential monetary shortfall, even if that someone has a brew in his hand.
Everyone lost in this mess. Aric Almirola, Denny Hamlin, JD Gibbs and Rockwell all could have been heroes. All chose not to be. Lets hope this doesn't become a case of winning the race, just to lose a much bigger prize--respect.
Photo credit: captainthunderracing.com
It's all about the publicity and perception...so this decision scored a big ZERO!
Posted by: Vroom! | June 29, 2007 at 05:56 AM
sponsors are dictating more and more what goes on in the sport which is not a good thing...there is a fine line that has to be walked when it comes to corporate sponsorship and what is good for the sport..JGR slipped over that line on what could be a slippery slope I am hoping it doesn't lead to what has happened in other series where drivers get rides based on their ability to bring sponsorship dollars to the table.. I know this isn't the case with Hamlin but letting corporate sponsorship gain more control will eventually lead to this.....
Posted by: robert bourne | June 29, 2007 at 05:52 PM