NASCAR's $25,000 fine last week of Tony Stewart for his participation in an incident that involved altercations between Brad Keselowski and Matt Kenseth and Keselowski and Denny Hamlin suggest the racing entity needs to overhaul its discipline policy.
And avoid looking like the NFL these days.
NASCAR chairman's silence on Tony Stewart investigation a sign of backtracking?
Stewart backed up into Keselowski with his car after Keselowski inadvertently hit his car after the race as he was still dealing with Kenseth and Hamlin after the race. NASCAR handed down a $25,000 fine to Stewart. The incident in and of itself was not worthy of a $25,000 fine, according to the popular sentiment of those inside NASCAR's circle.
USA TODAY Sports suggested that Stewart's fine had a direct correlation with the tragic death of Kevin Ward Jr., in which Stewart ran into him and killed him during an Aug. 9 dirt-track race. Stewart, the publication said, may be under increased scrutiny from NASCAR because of it.
Tony Stewart fine causes media firestorm related to the death of Kevin Ward Jr.
NASCAR has sent differing messages in its handling of the Stewart-Ward tragedy. When Stewart returned to racing after Ward's death, NASCAR allowed him to earn a spot in the postseason Chase for the Cup, even though its rules would have prevented him from earning a spot.
But a few days later, NASCAR chairman Brian France refused comment about Stewart's return.
Now NASCAR fined Stewart but didn't fine Kenseth or Hamlin, both of whom confronted Keselowski after the race. The Washington Post reported that Kenseth put Keselowski in a headlock and Hamlin threw a towel at Keselowski, before having to be restrained from attacking him.
In essence, Kenseth and Hamlin both received the "Boys will be boys" treatment while Stewart was fined. Of course, in the real world, any driver would suffer consequences for intentionally backing into another car.
USA TODAY Sports also suggested that Stewart himself often received favorable treatment from NASCAR before his tragic accident.
Much like the NFL suddenly trying to rein in football players that have been pampered and slapped on the wrist for transgressions their entire football lives, NASCAR has a budding image problem - albeit on a far lesser scale than the NFL.
Still, NASCAR can't continue to pick and choose whom to makes examples of. Stewart's tragedy should serve as the impetus for conformity of rules. Had Stewart put Keselowski in a headlock, he likely would be suspended from NASCAR right now.
NASCAR needs to figure out how to proceed to avoid an NFL-like image problem.
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