For many years I said Goodyear was a sacred cow as far as NASCAR was concerned. I applaud Tony Stewart for having the stones to inform the world about it.
Goodyear has had free reign of NASCAR for years. They dictate race conditions by the tires they foist off on the competitors at $1,800 bucks a set. They even have the media brainwashed. On TV, someone hits the wall because they “cut down a tire.” It is never suggested by any of the TV mouths that there was a tire failure.
So, the fans at Atlanta paid good money to see a terrible race. I guess Goodyear needs to sell as many sets of tires per race as possible. When Carl Edwards ran off and hid from the others when he had new tires and his rivals had seven laps on theirs, that showed the quality of their product.
NASCAR takes a hard line on its competitors. Fining, suspending, revoking points for picayune infractions, but it allows Goodyear to do anything possible to fill its coffers and louse up the races.
NASCAR and Goodyear have been in bed together for a long time and it’s time for new sheets.
• The speculation that Wall Stadium (I’m using the old name...the one it had when it was successful) is going to shut down seems real. This is a very sad story.
The only way the track can be saved is someone who REALLY loves racing pour a couple of million bucks into it, which won’t be seen again. This is unlikely. I doubt someone can lease the place from its current owners since there are debts to be paid.
If this happens, there will be only two weekly race tracks left in New Jersey, New Egypt and Bridgeport. Both are dirt tracks that run on Saturday nights.
What will be the future of the Wall racers? They have few choices, none close by. Riverhead is a long and costly trip. Mahoning in Pennsylvania may be in its final season this year. I really feel for them.
Our sport isn’t the only one ripping its fans off. Next year when the new Yankee Stadium opens, it will cost $29 just to park.
• New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, who resigned in disgrace last week, is a race fan. A relative works for Hendrick Motorsports. Maybe NASCAR will make him Commissioner of Cheating.
• I heard that Bobby Santos III, probably the hottest young prospect in racing, has lost his NASCAR opportunity. I guess what I wrote about the plight of young drivers recently is true. If I owned an Indy car, Santos would be my first choice.
• Double-dating with the Gov at 25 Emerson Place, Valley Stream, N.Y. 11580. E-mail to Racewri771@AOL.com.