Round One Could Be Costly to Childress
[media-credit name=”CIA Stock Photo” align=”alignright” width=”246″]
[/media-credit]I have been around NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series since it was known as the Grand National Series and I’ve never seen or heard about anything that compares to what happened in Joliet this weekend. We’re used to seeing drivers get physical with each other after a race ends, but owners? I cannot imagine Joe Gibbs, Jack Roush, or Rick Hendrick throwing punches, but then again, I couldn’t have pictured Richard Childress doing that either. But he did, and it wasn’t a very wise thing to do.
From all reports, the event happened as Kyle Busch was walking to either his transporter or motor home. I’ve heard both. It’s not clear whether Busch said anything to Childress, but Childress took off his watch, got Busch in a headlock, and punched him four times. Busch did not resist, knowing that if he did anything in that situation, he would break his probation agreement. He also knew that trying to stay out of Kevin Harvick’s way at the end of the race at Darlington did him no good. He still got punished because he hit Harvick’s car and knocked it into the pit wall while trying to get away. That wasn’t going to happen this time. Busch walked away for all the eyewitness accounts I’ve heard.
Childress will get the usual $25-30,000 fine and probation from NASCAR according to most of the media experts, but I’m not so sure it will be that lenient. Car owners are held to a higher standard than competitors. NASCAR considers them businessmen and leaders of their respective teams. Back in the old days, the sanctioning body might have looked the other way in a situation like this, but I don’t think they will today. I can’t recall a real fist fight except for Jimmy Spencer punching Kurt Busch through his car window a few years ago (why is it always a Busch?). I do remember standing beside Matt Kenseth when Jeff Gordon, wearing his helmet, pushed him at Bristol. I’ve seen crew members hold back drivers so they wouldn’t get at each other, but never a punch thrown.
It doesn’t matter if Busch said anything to him or not, but a 65-year old man should have sense enough to take whatever a person less than half his age can dish out. Childress as out of line and that’s why NASCAR restricted his movements on Sunday. I look for a heavy penalty for the legendary car owner.
NASCAR promises a full statement and the penalty on Monday. Whatever it is, it won’t set well with fans who have generally taken Childress’ side in the skirmish. Just like they took Harvick’s side in the altercation at Darlington. Busch has his fans, but the loudest cheers come when he falls out of a race or gets passed on the track. I guess he should take solace in that it used to be Jeff Gordon getting that treatment, but this time, the blame falls on Richard Childress. And NASCAR agrees. Prepare for the worst.
Wheaties FUEL Puts ‘Bowyer in Black’ for Coke Zero 400 at Daytona With FanVote and Sweepstakes Promotion
WELCOME, N.C. (June 6, 2011) – General Mills Inc. is putting Sprint Cup Series driver Clint Bowyer back in black. Beginning today through June 15, fans have the opportunity to put “Bowyer in Black” by voting which black Wheaties FUEL paint scheme Richard Childress Racing driver Bowyer will pilot at the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 2nd, 2011.
By visiting the official “Bowyer in Black” website at , fans can simply log on and vote for their favorite orange-and-black paint scheme. The site boasts four options for the No. 33 Chevrolet and features an opportunity for fans to enter-to-win a sweepstakes with a grand prize VIP trip for two to a Sprint Cup Series race. The package features airfare, hotel accommodations, VIP passes and $500.
The event marks the return to familiar surroundings for the four-time Sprint Cup Series winner, who drove a primarily black paint scheme the first three NSCS seasons of his career at RCR.
“I’m very excited that General Mills is giving me the opportunity to drive a black car again,” said Bowyer, the 2008 Nationwide Series champion. “It was fun to drive the Wheaties FUEL Chevrolet at Las Vegas earlier this season and any of the black paint schemes in the vote will look sharp under the lights at Daytona.”
Fans who visit the website can vote for their favorite paint scheme one time per day (with a valid e-mail address) from June 6-15 and the winning scheme and sweepstakes winner will be announced on June 20th. The sweepstakes winner will have the choice of attending a NSCS event at Daytona, Indianapolis in July or Richmond in September.
“This really is a cool deal for my fans or any fans of the sport for that matter. Not only do you get to pick the black paint scheme for my Wheaties FUEL Chevrolet at Daytona, but two fans will get to come out to the track for a VIP experience of a lifetime,” added Bowyer.
About General Mills Racing
One of the world’s leading food companies, General Mills operates in more than 100 countries and markets more than 100 consumer brands, including Cheerios, Häagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Old El Paso, Progresso, Yoplait, Cascadian Farm, Muir Glen, and more. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, General Mills had fiscal 2010 global net sales of US$16 billion, including the company’s $1.2 billion proportionate share of joint venture net sales. General Mills has been fueling race teams since 1998. In 2011 Cheerios and Hamburger Helper are the primary sponsors of Richard Childress Racing’s No. 33 Chevrolet Impala SS with Clint Bowyer behind the wheel. Visit www.cheeriosracing.com.
About Richard Childress Racing
Richard Childress Racing has earned more than 190 victories and 12 NASCAR championships, including six in the Sprint Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series. Its 2011 Sprint Cup Series lineup includes Paul Menard (No. 27 Menard’s Chevrolet), Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet), Jeff Burton (No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet) and Clint Bowyer (No. 33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet). Its Camping World Truck Series program includes 2010 Rookie of the Year Austin Dillon (No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet) and Joey Coulter, Jr. (No. 22 RCR Development Chevrolet). Tim George Jr. (No 31 RCR Development Chevrolet) and Ty Dillon (No. 41 Chevrolet) will compete in the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. For more information, visit www.rcrracing.com.
