Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 13, 1995 TAG: 9508150011
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB ZELLER
DATELINE: WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. LENGTH: Medium
``This was a Ford IROC race,'' Hendrick said. ``We need some more spoiler [at Indy]. If they're going to let us come, give us a chance.''
Given the fact that a Chevy had won all but four of the 1995 Winston Cup races, it did not take long for the Ford camp to unload on Hendrick. Wayne Estes, Ford's Winston Cup spokesman, asked a half-dozen Ford owners and drivers for their reaction.
``I'm sure that comment was so absurd that it wasn't taken seriously by anyone,'' said Ford car owner Jack Roush, who was one of the most critical respondents.
Shrill rhetoric, of course, is nothing new in NASCAR's top series. The Ford and Chevy teams have been firing shots across each other's bow this year and for many years in the past.
In the politics of modern Winston Cup racing, teams and manufacturers apparently have decided the only way to get what they want is to shout long and loud, attacking the other side all the while.
And it has reached the point where no matter what is said, it's no longer considered spontaneous. Each side invariably accuses the other of carefully orchestrating their comments in an effort to influence NASCAR's decision making.
``I think that Rick's statements prior to Indianapolis were well thought out, well planned to try to stop the bleeding in the Ford direction,'' Brett Bodine said.
Said Ford owner Michael Kranefuss: ``I think they had a good campaign going, and it all appeared to be well coordinated.''
The Ford comments were well coordinated, too. Estes printed Kranefuss' quotes twice in the space of four days to make sure no one in the media missed them.
Obviously, the strategy feeds on itself. When one side cries foul, the other side cries even louder.
Is the public lobbying effective, or is it better to do your politicking privately?
``I'm not sure, because I haven't lobbied effectively either way,'' Roush said Saturday at Watkins Glen International as his drivers, including pole-winner Mark Martin, prepared for today's Bud at The Glen NASCAR road race. ``Nothing has worked either way. We've [Ford teams] been on the bottom side of `close' for too long, and we've been totally ineffective in changing that.''
Roush went on to say that if Ford remains ``continually disadvantaged'' against Chevy, he would consider switching manufacturers. He's said that before, but it's strong talk from one of Ford's strongest supporters. And it is aimed to shake the status quo with NASCAR, Ford, or both.
The Ford teams, of course, have received concessions in 1995, as have the Pontiacs. At most of the recent races, but not today's race, NASCAR has given the Fords and Pontiacs bigger spoilers and lower ground clearance. (The spoilers and front air dams are the same for this race because NASCAR believes the cars are equal on road courses.)
And this has irked the Chevy folks.
``Everything [Ford has] asked for, they've got,'' Chevy driver Sterling Marlin said before the Brickyard 400 on Aug.5.
``It was a big deal last year when they won all those races [21],'' said Chevy driver Ken Schrader. ``We didn't get nothing. We win this year and they've got concessions big-time. They [NASCAR] just keep giving them to 'em. They did a better job of crying, that's for sure.''
Another twist is the argument that the rich teams always prevail over the poorer teams when it comes to politicking.
``I think in NASCAR, we do things by the golden rule,'' said Bill Ingle, crew chief for Ford driver Ricky Rudd. ``He who has the gold rules. Nothing happens until the guys with the gold holler.''
NASCAR president Bill France has heard all of this many times before. Public politicking in NASCAR has been around since the sport was born.
``The question is: Is this part of the entertainment?'' said one top manufacturer's representative, who did not want to be identified ``because I'm involved in it.''
It is part of the show, but ``we like to think we're professional'' in evaluating claims, arguments and politicking, France said.
So do teams exaggerate their complaints in the hopes of getting what they need?
``I would think they would,'' France said. ``I would if I was them.''
by CNB