Nextel Cup driver Greg Biffle refused to visit the press box and complete his post-race media obligations at O’Reilly Raceway Park following Saturday night’s Busch Series race. NASCAR was investigating and discussing the incident late Saturday.
According to the weekly entry blank, drivers are required to fulfill all post-race media obligations following a race. They are also reminded of the obligation in the prerace drivers meeting.
Biffle spoke to network television and Motor Racing Network following the race, but refused repeated requests to visit the press box. Driver Tony Stewart was fined $10,000 and placed on probation earlier this season when he failed to visit the media center following the race at Phoenix. “In the past, we have always hoped that we wouldn’t have to get to this point to get our athletes to fulfill their media obligations, but obviously that hasn’t worked - it didn’t work in this instance - so this is a starting point,” NASCAR vice president of corporate communications Jim Hunter said at the time.
Bookmark to:
- NASCAR fines Biffle for Busch Media violation
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- Montoya gets fined and placed on probation by NASCAR
- More crew chiefs fined at Daytona
“In the past, we have always hoped that we wouldn’t have to get
to this point to get our athletes to fulfill their media obligations
but obviously that hasn’t worked - it didn’t work in this instance -
so this is a starting point,” NASCAR vice president of corporate
communications Jim Hunter said at the time.
…In the past, the fans hoped we never got to the point where drivers
were being penalized for things that don’t even have to do with racing
because them not doing exactly what you say just because you say it
makes you guys look stupid and god forbid they not get in the three
million sponsor plug of the night and you guys actually lose five
bucks on the deal. Tool.
If I had Nicole waiting for me back at the motorhome I’d blow of the press box interview also…lol.
“Biffle spoke to network television and Motor Racing Network following the race, but refused repeated requests to visit the press box.”
Sounds like he met them to me. Come on NASCAR Officials, quit being such cry babies this season and let these guys do what they are paid for, which is racing. Nit picking never got anyone anywhere, so it certainly won’t do it now.
Is this Racing “NASCAR” or are we all back in High School again? Come on, these guys fulfil alot of their media obligations, ever think they need a rest/break sometimes also.
Here’s a question for Nascar.
If sponsors, etc, are so important and that’s the reason they’re
contractually obligated to talk to the press, why are the lesser
drivers very rarely, if ever, talked to? They have sponsors that need
attention as well, and by your facade of “logic” probably moreso
than the big-time sponsors because less people would of heard of
them. Oh wait, it’s actually about how much companies like DuPont
and Budweiser pay you compared to how much the smaller companies
could and you just use the excuse of sponsor interest to make your
money.
NASCAR has gone too far when drivers are fined for not fulfilling “media obligations.” Go back about 20, 30 years ago, and nobody would have fathomed that.
NASCAR’s changed from a sport for the people to a collection of corporage moguls hoping to get their names mentioned in a post race interview. What a shame.
-Waits for the first hypocrite that was cheering Tony’s fine to enter
the board bashing this decision.-
omg NASCAR penalizes everything.. on the track and off.. if the drivers are ticked off let them cool off for awhile and wait till the next race to get a word from them.. jesus don’t penlize them.. it has nothing to do with racing.
Nascar is taking the life out of these racers for there own cause. Biffle was back and forth between tracks yesterday. Maybe he needed some rest. Lets fine him for being tired. Then lets fine DW for cheering Mikey a little to much. Fine Dale Jr. for saying sh@t.(Oh they did) Bring back the old Nascar. Next thing you know they’ll be fines for what they wear outside the track.
Welcome to NASCAR A.E. as Ryan Smithson once put it on NASCAR.com….. NASCAR: After Earnhardt.
The only reason NASCAR wanted Biffle to appear at the press box was because he was “of interest to the press” for the last laps of a very good race.
Now lets say he did go to the press box and was hounded for a response to how he felt to have been run over and used as a 8 wheel bump and run target.
Then God forbid he told them just what he was thinking. Being the exact reason he didn’t go to the press inquisicion. Now he is looking at a huge fine and loss of points for actions not in the best interest of NASCAR.
Wow talk about damned if you do damned if you don’t.
NASCAR should fine its self for actions detrimental to being intelligent.
you said it before I could Billy
Brian and Mike need to grow up and leave the drivers alone.