Sometimes I use the term “Pandora’s Box” to help illustrate a particular issue or event.
“Pandora’s Box” is a metaphor for something that brings about great troubles or misfortune, but also holds hope. In Greek mythology, Pandora’s box was a gift from the gods to Pandora, the first woman on Earth. It contained all the evils of the world, which were released when Pandora opened the box.
Sunday evening at Martinsville, NASCAR, which had been holding the proverbial “Pandora’s Box,” opened it up in post-race and again on Tuesday in the hopes of limiting or preventing events like what unfolded in the closing laps of the Xfinity 500.
The Christopher Bell incident that we witnessed on Sunday was a re-run of the “Hail Melon” move by Ross Chastain two years ago. Bell tried to make it look a little less obvious, but when you are up against the wall and your foot to the pedal on the last lap, you’re not thinking about how it looked or how it was executed. You’re desperately trying to make the Championship Four.
NASCAR reviewed the video, telemetry and other factors in determining the eventual outcome. Bell was speechless at the end, went over and congratulated William Byron, but Joe Gibbs, owner of the 20 car, was seething.
As Gibbs was leaving the infield, he told reporters following him that NASCAR had told him that Bell’s penalty and disqualification from the Championship Four could not be appealed.
Gibbs was not in a mood to be toyed with or interested in a debate on the matter. It was a cut and dry decision.
The penalties handed down on Tuesday to three teams didn’t involve Bell or Gibbs. It opened up Pandora’s Box and a lot of other questions.
Penalties were handed down to the 1 team and the 3 team (both Chevrolets) for behavioral infractions (“blocking” and holding back the other cars from passing Byron to help put him into Championship Four) and the 23 team (a Toyota) for likewise a “behavioral” infraction (“blocking” to help Bell reach the Championship Four).
So let’s break it down.
The 1 car (Trackhouse Racing) team executive (Tony Lunders), crew chief (Philip Surgen), and spotter (Brandon McReynolds) have been suspended for the next NASCAR championship points event. Additionally, the team and driver have been fined $100,000 and assessed with a loss of 50 points.
The 3 car (Richard Childress Racing) team executive (Keith Rodden), crew chief (Justin Alexander), and spotter (Brandon Benesch) have been suspended for the next NASCAR championship points event. Additionally, the team and driver have been fined $100,000 and assessed with a loss of 50 points.
The 23 car (23XI Racing) team executive (Dave Rogers), crew chief (Robert “Bootie” Barker), and spotter (Freddie Kraft) have been suspended for the next NASCAR championship points event. Additionally, the team and driver have been fined $100,000 and assessed with a loss of 50 points.
Cut and dry, huh?
Not quite. This sort of thing has been going on for years but NASCAR decided it was time to drop the guillotine blade before the championship race in Phoenix, and all involving non-playoff teams.
I can remember at Talladega a few years ago, all of the teams (Ford, Chevrolet and Toyota) would pit together, draft together, yes, even block together for the respective front-runner. No penalties or fines were issued. NASCAR allowed it and it could have changed the scope of the playoff picture down the line.
So why do it now and let it go from the past?
That’s my question.
I have no immediate answer or explanation for NASCAR’s decision.
It’s as though NASCAR makes this stuff up as it goes along, further complicating the recipe for great racing. You have to admit it. The recipe for great racing differs significantly from the days of moonshining and racing on the beach at Daytona.
You have to have rules to govern the drivers and teams but NASCAR should be more proactive in anticipating possible issues rather than a knee-jerk reaction at the end of the race.
Then again, it could be all for entertainment purposes, to draw more fans into the championship race either in person or by television.
Simply put, to create drama, discussion and divisiveness. It’s what a majority of us crave in our lives.
Rod Mullins is the editor of Dickenson Media.
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