A Parting Gift For Stewart
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02/09/2016 J. L. Steele |
Two and a half weeks before the 2016 NASCAR season begins, Tony Stewart was already the talk of the sport after injuring his back in a dune buggy accident. Once the severity of his injury was reported, two questions began to dominate the conversation among fans; how long would he be out and should he be granted a waiver for the Chase. The first question is yet to be answered but the latter should already be settled without a doubt. Yes, Tony Stewart should be granted an exemption.
Since NASCAR announced the option of granting waivers before the 2014 season, there was and continues to be much argument about it. After last season, any further discussion about it is pointless. As fans recall, Kurt Busch was suspended for the first three races of 2015 due to pressure from some quarters while he was being investigated for allegations of abuse against his ex-girlfriend. Once he was cleared by law enforcement, NASCAR rightfully granted a waiver, allowing him to have the opportunity to qualify for the Chase, which he did. Once Kurt had his off-track issues settled, the universal sentiment seemed to be that he deserved the waiver. However, it wasn't quite as unanimous when it came to younger brother Kyle.
Kyle Busch was of course, severely injured in the season opening Xfinity Series race at Daytona. His injuries were both gruesome and unfortunate. Regardless of one's position regarding a possible Chase exemption, all had to acknowledge his dedication and determination in returning to the track after 11 races. Yet, there was still a question in the minds of many whether Kyle deserved the chance to compete for the title. After all, he was a Cup driver who chose to race in a different series. He wasn't hurt driving in a Cup race. Many believed not racing for the Chase was just the expensive yet unfortunate price he should pay for making that decision. NASCAR of course, did indeed grant the waiver and Kyle went on to earn his first career championship.
Based on that decision, it's somewhat surprising to hear so many question whether Tony Stewart should receive the same allowance by the sanctioning body. The question was answered last season with Kyle Busch's situation. When this option was first announced in January of 2014, then vice president for competition, Robin Pemberton stated, "...in light of everything else that we've done, we felt compelled that if we have a medical reason, we can excuse a driver for a period of time based on a medical reason." The only question left to answer after that statement was and is, how long is "a period of time?" In Kyle's case, it was 11 races. Early reports are that Stewart could return to competition sometime in May. If that's the case, he'll miss somewhere between 9 and 12 races. That is, of course in the same neighborhood of what Kyle missed last season. Since Kyle was given the opportunity, it should be granted to Stewart as well.
"But Kyle was hurt in a NASCAR sanctioned race, Tony was not" say the fans who don't think Stewart should be given a waiver. Why does that matter? Both drivers chose to take an unnecessary risk, away from the series they're paid to race in. One was given the waiver, the other should be. "What if it takes him longer to heal?" Now that's a valid question and whether it's in this case or another one down the road, it's one that NASCAR is going to have to be prepared to answer. How much of the season can a driver miss before a Chase waiver is no longer an option? Perhaps we'll find out sooner rather than later but hopefully not.
"Chase waivers are ridiculous and should never be allowed" is still a good argument starter but it's pointless. That horse is so far down the road, arguing at this point about who left the barn open is nothing more than a waste of time and fodder for pointless call in radio shows. Like a lot of newer ideas implemented by NASCAR, this is the realty of the sport in today's world. Fans don't have to like it but they have to accept it. Kyle Busch being crowned champion after racing just two thirds of the season may not have pleased a lot of fans but it wasn't Kyle's doing. It was NASCAR's. They created this possibility and now they get to deal with it. It's already been proven to be more than a hypothetical situation. Not only do they have a driver who played by those new rules and made the Chase, he became the sport's champion.
"It's good for the sport" was the reason given for a lot of NASCAR's changes over the past few years. That phrase has now become a punchline in a lot of circles as many of those changes have proven to be anything but good. That being said, granting Stewart the clearance to compete for a Chase spot is indeed good for the sport, besides being the right thing to do. 2016 is the final season for the three time series champion. With the loss of Jeff Gordon, Stewart is now the elder statesman among full time competitors. The season Gordon closed his career with was as good as one could hope for, short of winning the title. The positive attention and fan interest in brought to NASCAR was sorely needed and very much deserved for the driver. The same could be said in 2016 for Tony Stewart.
Will Tony Stewart win the 2016 NASCAR championship? Probably not. Based on his recent performance, will he even make The Chase? Perhaps but it might still be a long shot. Regardless, based on the precedent already established and with the discretion NASCAR has in making the decision, he should be given the opportunity. Tony Stewart will be granted a waiver and will have the opportunity to race his way into the 2016 Chase.
Since NASCAR announced the option of granting waivers before the 2014 season, there was and continues to be much argument about it. After last season, any further discussion about it is pointless. As fans recall, Kurt Busch was suspended for the first three races of 2015 due to pressure from some quarters while he was being investigated for allegations of abuse against his ex-girlfriend. Once he was cleared by law enforcement, NASCAR rightfully granted a waiver, allowing him to have the opportunity to qualify for the Chase, which he did. Once Kurt had his off-track issues settled, the universal sentiment seemed to be that he deserved the waiver. However, it wasn't quite as unanimous when it came to younger brother Kyle.
Kyle Busch was of course, severely injured in the season opening Xfinity Series race at Daytona. His injuries were both gruesome and unfortunate. Regardless of one's position regarding a possible Chase exemption, all had to acknowledge his dedication and determination in returning to the track after 11 races. Yet, there was still a question in the minds of many whether Kyle deserved the chance to compete for the title. After all, he was a Cup driver who chose to race in a different series. He wasn't hurt driving in a Cup race. Many believed not racing for the Chase was just the expensive yet unfortunate price he should pay for making that decision. NASCAR of course, did indeed grant the waiver and Kyle went on to earn his first career championship.
Based on that decision, it's somewhat surprising to hear so many question whether Tony Stewart should receive the same allowance by the sanctioning body. The question was answered last season with Kyle Busch's situation. When this option was first announced in January of 2014, then vice president for competition, Robin Pemberton stated, "...in light of everything else that we've done, we felt compelled that if we have a medical reason, we can excuse a driver for a period of time based on a medical reason." The only question left to answer after that statement was and is, how long is "a period of time?" In Kyle's case, it was 11 races. Early reports are that Stewart could return to competition sometime in May. If that's the case, he'll miss somewhere between 9 and 12 races. That is, of course in the same neighborhood of what Kyle missed last season. Since Kyle was given the opportunity, it should be granted to Stewart as well.
"But Kyle was hurt in a NASCAR sanctioned race, Tony was not" say the fans who don't think Stewart should be given a waiver. Why does that matter? Both drivers chose to take an unnecessary risk, away from the series they're paid to race in. One was given the waiver, the other should be. "What if it takes him longer to heal?" Now that's a valid question and whether it's in this case or another one down the road, it's one that NASCAR is going to have to be prepared to answer. How much of the season can a driver miss before a Chase waiver is no longer an option? Perhaps we'll find out sooner rather than later but hopefully not.
"Chase waivers are ridiculous and should never be allowed" is still a good argument starter but it's pointless. That horse is so far down the road, arguing at this point about who left the barn open is nothing more than a waste of time and fodder for pointless call in radio shows. Like a lot of newer ideas implemented by NASCAR, this is the realty of the sport in today's world. Fans don't have to like it but they have to accept it. Kyle Busch being crowned champion after racing just two thirds of the season may not have pleased a lot of fans but it wasn't Kyle's doing. It was NASCAR's. They created this possibility and now they get to deal with it. It's already been proven to be more than a hypothetical situation. Not only do they have a driver who played by those new rules and made the Chase, he became the sport's champion.
"It's good for the sport" was the reason given for a lot of NASCAR's changes over the past few years. That phrase has now become a punchline in a lot of circles as many of those changes have proven to be anything but good. That being said, granting Stewart the clearance to compete for a Chase spot is indeed good for the sport, besides being the right thing to do. 2016 is the final season for the three time series champion. With the loss of Jeff Gordon, Stewart is now the elder statesman among full time competitors. The season Gordon closed his career with was as good as one could hope for, short of winning the title. The positive attention and fan interest in brought to NASCAR was sorely needed and very much deserved for the driver. The same could be said in 2016 for Tony Stewart.
Will Tony Stewart win the 2016 NASCAR championship? Probably not. Based on his recent performance, will he even make The Chase? Perhaps but it might still be a long shot. Regardless, based on the precedent already established and with the discretion NASCAR has in making the decision, he should be given the opportunity. Tony Stewart will be granted a waiver and will have the opportunity to race his way into the 2016 Chase.