The other weekend the rule was passed down, no, reinforced that radio traffic will remain public domain between teams.
It was reinforced because after the public airing of their “spirited debate”, because Kurt Busch was inquiring about it.
It seems Kurt and team owner Roger Penske had some terse words at Martinsville. To the point, that the term “Dude” was tossed out there by Kurt. Oooooh. (Source: NASCAR)
Thinking this would be a great item to chat about, I asked my “Tight In Turn Two” partner, Charlie Turner from ON PIT ROW his take, because frankly, I hate talking to myself some days!
A: So do teams need some radio privacy?
Bruce: NASCAR has built a reputation for fan access to the teams. This access seems unparalleled compared to other sports, and makes it stand out. Since they’ve instigated it successfully, it would seem like we’re being short changed if they pull it. This facet of the fan access is part of the personality of the sport known as NASCAR. Plain and simple.
I get wanting a private chatter moment. I get drivers getting heated about some things and letting rip while they’re out there. Being in-car is like going through a divorce. It’s an emotional experience everyone sympathizes with (Thinks they get), but will never emotionally understand – Ever.
Even if they deigned it OK for teams to have a private channel for unruly talk, would they even take the time to have the forethought to use it in their heated moments? NBaP says that’s a 50/50 potential at best.
Eh, if we didn’t have live access, we’d miss aspects of the drivers that endears us to them.
Some years ago, I recall Dale Jr. spending an entire caution lap at California, oops, Auto Club Speedway with him ripping his team a new one for missing a lug nut and having to go back in.
I remember Robby Gordon getting into a wreck at Richmond and spouting off what he’s going to do to the guy who wrecked him, all the while his crew chief telling him to shut up. (In hopes of not drawing ire from the NASCAR trailer in case Robby did dump the guy.)
I have lots of fond moments of in-car radio and I personally don’t want to lose those moments. If they need privacy, they can get it after the race in their trailers. We don’t have access to those… yet. Then Kurt can call people “Dude” all he wants. (So what’s the big deal with the word “Dude”? Now if he called someone an asswipe or worse, then we’d be getting somewhere!)
Charlie?
I don’t know. Calling Roger Freaking Penske “Dude” isn’t something that I would do.
Be that as it may, on to the privacy channel. Here’s how NASCAR will make the decision on whether to have one or not. They will make the private channel a “subscription access only” feature. It will be private for the freebies, but if you want to pay, you’ll be able to hear the Penske-Busch divorce develop in real time. (And it won’t take that long.)
I can’t see NASCAR taking anything away from the fans at a time when the Frances are trying to woo them back to the tracks and TV broadcasts. This past weekend was just a disturbance in the force.
Charlie Turner
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Charlie makes a good point. In fact he’s onto something when he references a disturbance in the force.
Over at Charlie’s place, ON PIT ROW, we talk about possible issues with the idea behind Richard Petty entering a car in the Indy 500. What is Richard thinking by leaving the fold of NASCAR for a race weekend and taking a car and John Andretti to the Indy 500.
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