Did Tony Stewart Really Win The Amp Energy 500?
ByBy: Keith Bloemendaal
NASCAR really needs to get a handle on the way they enforce the rules at these restrictor plate races. Regan Smith crossed the finish line in first, but NASCAR rules he went below the yellow line and gave him a finishing position of 18th. Tony Stewart, as of the writing of this article won the Amp Energy 500.
The win is the Home Depot team's first this season.
The way I understood the yellow line rule is if you pass below the yellow line, you will be penalized. UNLESS YOU ARE FORCED BELOW THE LINE! While watching the end of the race, it was clear to me that Stewart forced Smith below the yellow line. Had Smith held his ground, Tony Stewart would have been in the wall on the frontstretch!
Some will also argue that the last lap is anything goes, NASCAR did away with that last season.
Other restrictor plate races have been just as controversial. In 2007 Jeff Gordon got pummeled with debris on his victory lap at the Aaron's 499 by the fans after NASCAR awarded the win to him through the use of scoring loops because the caution flew on the last lap.
Get a grip on this NASCAR! Set rules, enforce them the same week in and week out!
What do you think, am I wrong? Comment to give your opinion.
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1 Comments
October 5th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Keith,I think the yellow line rule states: “If a driver is forced below the yellow line that driver can not advance position as a result of being forced below the line. Any driver forced below the yellow line will not be penalized but must fall back in the racing in the same position as before going below the yellow line.Wouldn’t that part of the rule still apply?