Another Viewpoint Archives
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Debbi's Racing Resource Site
By Debbi Willis
Debbi Willis, Daw613@bigfoot.com
Moving On?
A deep sadness crept into my heart while watching the Fox pre-race show of Richmond's night race Saturday. For all intents and purposes, a declaration of "moving on" happened at Richmond. In the aftermath of a whirlwind week of breaking news and Jr's interview, NASCAR has spoken and it's not even August yet. Obviously, NASCAR doesn't want to deal with the mess they've created anymore and have convinced everyone (except maybe the fans and media) to "move on". Maybe this is their way of pre-empting any concerns about Daytona so they don't experience the pre-Dega publicity approaching Daytona. Maybe they think they've just "reasoned" very strongly with all the drivers at once and nipped any further action in the bud. Maybe. But, Death has woven itself a starring role in NASCAR with it's presence in 4 deaths in the past year. However, I have no doubt that for a long time, the racing will be a bit more cautious until the gun-shy feelings and flinches pass and the confidence that all is being done is back. Then, depressing as the thought is Death will raise it's ugly head once more if the chassis'/aero rules package remains in force.
In the meantime, Tommy Propst, the EMT who was never interviewed to begin with has been legally grilled and his story has remained the same. Of all the "stories" heard since February, his is the only one not changing. No changes in his account of his findings when he went to assist Dale Earnhardt. Obviously, NASCAR couldn't get to him the way they appear to have gotten to everyone else. Tommy's risks at telling the truth aren't as great as his partners needs to maintain her position with the Speedway. Logic dictates that a split-second reaction and talk would have occurred immediately had the belt been broken at the scene, not 5 days later in the big mystery fiasco that NASCAR created. The autopsy report reviewed and reported on by Dr. Barry Myers wouldn't have shown that the belt did it's job, either. Lone voices tend to tell the truth, it's the majority that act like a herd of sheep and agree. Admirably and much like his late favorite driver, Tommy Propst didn't give in and buckle under the scrutiny. Facts are facts and logic is logic.
Bill Simpson had been furious from the moment the broken seatbelt news happened. Repeated attempts to get a straight story and even an interview with NASCAR had failed, until this weekend. Personally, I never thought I'd ever see the man famous for setting himself on fire to prove his product, roll over and comply. Some very serious discussions must have suddenly taken place to cause that, and frankly his interview was downright humiliating to watch. From fighter for vindication to accomplice for the "health of the sport", the Fox interview with Simpson in Richmond appears as though all is resolved with NASCAR. Per Bill's quote: "I don't really have any comment about anything that happened from yesterday back. Nothing. I'm concerned with the health of the sport, it's been my life, it's 24/7 for me. I'm currently working with NASCAR on some new things and I think we just have to go forward from here. Put all this stuff behind us, whatever we're talking about here." Whatever we're talking about here? Since when did Bill Simpson lose sight of what was being discussed? Why do I still have questions if I just got all the answers? I guess the "new things" are pacifying Bill now. Sorry Bill, I know it's a tough road to travel, but there'll still be repercussions. Just this morning, reports say Richard Childress has changed out the Simpson belts in all his cars (except Mike Skinner's) per his driver's requests. Guess they are just moving on, too.
Mike Helton had a meeting with all the drivers, too, in Richmond. Supposedly Helton "cleared the air" and informed everyone of everything and now the drivers are satisfied. Dale Jr went on record this week to state "I know what the facts are. I am not going to tell you what I know, don't ask me what I know, but I know what the facts are. I am not sitting here waiting for an answer like you all are. And I'm OK with it." So, Dale Jr. knows what happened and he's satisfied and he trusts Mike Helton. He almost appeared to gloat that he knew the truth and wasn't waiting like we are. Of course, it might be easy to do that to a media that's been brutal along the way, but to the fans? Understandably, Dale Jr's age showed. He doesn't have all the clout his dad had nor as much ability to back up any talk, but "no comment" would have said the same thing. Ricky Rudd, Jeff Gordon and Kurt Busch played spokesmen for the drivers after the drivers meeting. Gordon says "it helped confirm alot of things for me." Kurt Busch says, "..decisions based on what they know, and what they know is always correct. If we got a beef with NASCAR they're always gonna win that conversation." Strangely accurate for a rookie in the sport. So ,we're told all is fine, NASCAR's doing their best and the drivers are satisfied. Why aren't I? I find it odd not to hear from the outspoken drivers from the beginning like Mark Martin, Jeff Burton, Bobby Labonte or Dale Jarrett, who have been largely ignored (or perhaps they've declined) in major interviews since Dale's death.
So now, NASCAR is "moving on" but will everyone else follow? I can only imagine Helton's pep talk to the drivers might have sounded like this: 'Dale's gone, we're still here and we still have a season to run. Now are we gonna spoil the season whining and crying about what I'm doing about Dale's death or are we gonna do our jobs? Do you want to race? Then let me do my job and ya'll do yours.' That would be the long and short of it. The Keys to everyone's responses have been in the "health of the sport" (translated to: do you want to be responsible for killing the sport we all love and profit by?) and "what they know is always correct" (translated to: if it isn't, we've got the power and PR to make it so), Ultimately a trust factor exists in any high risk sport and the trust has been broken. Broken trust can be overcome though and that is what all this "moving on" is about. Without feeding the media, maybe NASCAR did make it right with the drivers and Bill Simpson and are simply keeping it private. Only time will tell. If anyone is dissatisfied or unsure of the leadership, changes will happen. But, by counting on the benefit of the doubt, this may be the most graceful way out of a severely botched situation. My prayers after all this is that we don't have to deal with another fatality because we forced peace without the truth to resolve it. Moving on won't be any good if we're doing it with blinders on.
By Debbi Willis
Debbi Willis, Daw613@bigfoot.com
Moving On?
A deep sadness crept into my heart while watching the Fox pre-race show of Richmond's night race Saturday. For all intents and purposes, a declaration of "moving on" happened at Richmond. In the aftermath of a whirlwind week of breaking news and Jr's interview, NASCAR has spoken and it's not even August yet. Obviously, NASCAR doesn't want to deal with the mess they've created anymore and have convinced everyone (except maybe the fans and media) to "move on". Maybe this is their way of pre-empting any concerns about Daytona so they don't experience the pre-Dega publicity approaching Daytona. Maybe they think they've just "reasoned" very strongly with all the drivers at once and nipped any further action in the bud. Maybe. But, Death has woven itself a starring role in NASCAR with it's presence in 4 deaths in the past year. However, I have no doubt that for a long time, the racing will be a bit more cautious until the gun-shy feelings and flinches pass and the confidence that all is being done is back. Then, depressing as the thought is Death will raise it's ugly head once more if the chassis'/aero rules package remains in force.
In the meantime, Tommy Propst, the EMT who was never interviewed to begin with has been legally grilled and his story has remained the same. Of all the "stories" heard since February, his is the only one not changing. No changes in his account of his findings when he went to assist Dale Earnhardt. Obviously, NASCAR couldn't get to him the way they appear to have gotten to everyone else. Tommy's risks at telling the truth aren't as great as his partners needs to maintain her position with the Speedway. Logic dictates that a split-second reaction and talk would have occurred immediately had the belt been broken at the scene, not 5 days later in the big mystery fiasco that NASCAR created. The autopsy report reviewed and reported on by Dr. Barry Myers wouldn't have shown that the belt did it's job, either. Lone voices tend to tell the truth, it's the majority that act like a herd of sheep and agree. Admirably and much like his late favorite driver, Tommy Propst didn't give in and buckle under the scrutiny. Facts are facts and logic is logic.
Bill Simpson had been furious from the moment the broken seatbelt news happened. Repeated attempts to get a straight story and even an interview with NASCAR had failed, until this weekend. Personally, I never thought I'd ever see the man famous for setting himself on fire to prove his product, roll over and comply. Some very serious discussions must have suddenly taken place to cause that, and frankly his interview was downright humiliating to watch. From fighter for vindication to accomplice for the "health of the sport", the Fox interview with Simpson in Richmond appears as though all is resolved with NASCAR. Per Bill's quote: "I don't really have any comment about anything that happened from yesterday back. Nothing. I'm concerned with the health of the sport, it's been my life, it's 24/7 for me. I'm currently working with NASCAR on some new things and I think we just have to go forward from here. Put all this stuff behind us, whatever we're talking about here." Whatever we're talking about here? Since when did Bill Simpson lose sight of what was being discussed? Why do I still have questions if I just got all the answers? I guess the "new things" are pacifying Bill now. Sorry Bill, I know it's a tough road to travel, but there'll still be repercussions. Just this morning, reports say Richard Childress has changed out the Simpson belts in all his cars (except Mike Skinner's) per his driver's requests. Guess they are just moving on, too.
Mike Helton had a meeting with all the drivers, too, in Richmond. Supposedly Helton "cleared the air" and informed everyone of everything and now the drivers are satisfied. Dale Jr went on record this week to state "I know what the facts are. I am not going to tell you what I know, don't ask me what I know, but I know what the facts are. I am not sitting here waiting for an answer like you all are. And I'm OK with it." So, Dale Jr. knows what happened and he's satisfied and he trusts Mike Helton. He almost appeared to gloat that he knew the truth and wasn't waiting like we are. Of course, it might be easy to do that to a media that's been brutal along the way, but to the fans? Understandably, Dale Jr's age showed. He doesn't have all the clout his dad had nor as much ability to back up any talk, but "no comment" would have said the same thing. Ricky Rudd, Jeff Gordon and Kurt Busch played spokesmen for the drivers after the drivers meeting. Gordon says "it helped confirm alot of things for me." Kurt Busch says, "..decisions based on what they know, and what they know is always correct. If we got a beef with NASCAR they're always gonna win that conversation." Strangely accurate for a rookie in the sport. So ,we're told all is fine, NASCAR's doing their best and the drivers are satisfied. Why aren't I? I find it odd not to hear from the outspoken drivers from the beginning like Mark Martin, Jeff Burton, Bobby Labonte or Dale Jarrett, who have been largely ignored (or perhaps they've declined) in major interviews since Dale's death.
So now, NASCAR is "moving on" but will everyone else follow? I can only imagine Helton's pep talk to the drivers might have sounded like this: 'Dale's gone, we're still here and we still have a season to run. Now are we gonna spoil the season whining and crying about what I'm doing about Dale's death or are we gonna do our jobs? Do you want to race? Then let me do my job and ya'll do yours.' That would be the long and short of it. The Keys to everyone's responses have been in the "health of the sport" (translated to: do you want to be responsible for killing the sport we all love and profit by?) and "what they know is always correct" (translated to: if it isn't, we've got the power and PR to make it so), Ultimately a trust factor exists in any high risk sport and the trust has been broken. Broken trust can be overcome though and that is what all this "moving on" is about. Without feeding the media, maybe NASCAR did make it right with the drivers and Bill Simpson and are simply keeping it private. Only time will tell. If anyone is dissatisfied or unsure of the leadership, changes will happen. But, by counting on the benefit of the doubt, this may be the most graceful way out of a severely botched situation. My prayers after all this is that we don't have to deal with another fatality because we forced peace without the truth to resolve it. Moving on won't be any good if we're doing it with blinders on.