NASCAR: 10 Things NASCAR Got Right Or Wrong In 2016
Bad: Penalizing Kyle Busch
Everyone knew Kyle Busch would be angry after letting a record setting 4th straight victory in the Xfinity Series slip through his hands in the final moments of the spring race at Fontana, but no one could have guessed the controversy that one loss would stir up for Busch. In fact, the loss arguably set in motion a debate about whether drivers should be given time to collect themselves or not after a race.
Unfortunately for Busch, NASCAR’s response to that question was a resounding no and he was eventually fined for not showing up to the press conference that is held after the race. While it is understandable that NASCAR would be unhappy with Busch for not making his mandatory media appearance, one could argue that his attitude would have gotten him fined anyway.
With that being said, NASCAR officials need to realize that drivers are in a no-win situation in this case and give drivers the option of skipping media interviews. Not only would doing so be a huge favor to the drivers, who typically have to watch what they say to reporters anyway, it also greatly decreases the possibility of a driver saying something that puts themselves or the sport in a negative light.
Next: Feeling the heat?