THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 13, 1995 TAG: 9508130767
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BOB ZELLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
Last month, after Chevy driver Jeff Gordon finished second behind Ford driver Dale Jarrett at Pocono, Chevy car owner Rick Hendrick sounded an alarm.
``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 Chevys had won all but four of the 1995 races, it did not take long for the Ford camp to unload on Hendrick.
Wayne Estes, Ford's Winston Cup media specialist, 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.
Shrill rhetoric, of course, is nothing new in the Winston Cup series. The Ford and Chevy teams have been firing shots across each other's bows for years.
In the politics of modern Winston Cup racing, teams and manufacturers apparently have decided that the only way to get what they want is to shout long and loud, attacking the other side all the while.
And it's gotten to the point that no matter what is said, it's no longer spontaneous. Each side invariably accuses the other of orchestrating its 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 told Estes.
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, in fact, published Kranefuss's 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 in private?
``I'm not sure, because I haven't lobbied effectively either way,'' Roush said Saturday as his drivers, including pole-winner Mark Martin, prepared for today's Bud at the Glen. ``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. He's said that before, but it's strong talk coming from one of Ford's strongest loyalists. And it is aimed to shake the status quo with NASCAR, Ford or both.
Ford, of course, has received concessions in 1995, as has Pontiac. At most of the recent races, NASCAR has given the Fords and Pontiacs bigger spoilers and lower ground clearance than the Chevys. (In today's race, the spoilers and front air dams are the same for all cars because NASCAR believes they are equal on the road courses).
NASCAR's generosity has irked the Chevy folks.
``Everything (Ford has) asked for, they've got,'' Chevy driver Sterling Marlin said.
Added Chevy driver Ken Schrader, ``It was a big deal last year when they won all those races (21). 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 to the issue is the argument that the rich teams always prevail over the smaller teams when it comes to politics.
``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.''
NASCAR president Bill France Jr. 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?'' one top manufacturer's representative said.
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, asking for more than they need in the hopes of getting what they need? ``I would think they would,'' France said. ``I would if I was them.'' by CNB