Did Tony Stewart Really Win At Talladega?
Rookie Regan Smith Thought He Won The AMP Energy 500
Oct 7, 2008
At least for this week, the water cooler talk will predominantly involve Regan Smith’s pass on Tony Stewart as they approached the checkered flag. Of course, Smith’s pass was ruled illegal, and he was relegated to an 18th place finish by the powers that be.
Smith and his Dale Earnhardt, Inc. team were livid as they felt that NASCAR stripped them of a victory. It would have been Regan Smith’s first career win, and the first win of the season for DEI.
NASCAR does not allow a driver to pass or advance his position if he crosses the yellow line. However, if NASCAR feels as if the driver is forced under the yellow line, the pass may be allowed. Smith’s argument was that he was forced under the yellow line. He was also under the impression that anything goes on the last lap as far as passing is concerned. NASCAR officials stated otherwise.
“It might not say it in the rule or history books, but the 01 car won,” said a disconsolate Smith, who currently leads the Raybestos Rookie of the Year standings. "I was pumping my fists like we won it, because I thought we did," he went on to say. "I knew where I was going to make my move and I was always told that the rule is if you get forced down [below the yellow line], then you're the winner. They always say, 'well on the last lap it is NASCAR's discretion.' I guess that was NASCAR's discretion, but I felt like we got forced down there."
NASCAR declared Tony Stewart the winner, which was his first win of the 2008 Sprint Cup season.
Fans and media members will debate both sides as to who should have won. Some fans will moan and groan that NASCAR wanted one of their big name stars to win as opposed to a no-name rookie. Others will fault NASCAR and their inconsistency when it comes to rules. However, the rules clearly state that you cannot pass under the yellow line and that is what Regan Smith did.
Did Stewart force Smith beneath the yellow line? That is another issue because an argument can be made either way. Stewart already had the inside line when Smith put his nose underneath him; however, it appeared as if he threw a block right before Smith went under the yellow line. The block never conclusively showed that it was the reason for Smith dipping below the yellow line.
NASCAR would receive criticism no matter which driver they awarded the victory. It was just one of those judgment calls that seem to happen so often in NASCAR these days.
On the final lap of the race, the race winning pass should be allowed no matter if it is under the line or not, as long as the driver is not out of control. Smith passed Stewart in a clean manner, and if this were any other track, he would have won.
Quote of the week
Greg Biffle on Regan Smith and Tony Stewart (sarcasm)
“I feel like Regan got robbed. What he needed to do was wreck Tony in front of the entire field. Stay there and turn him sideways. Make him go flipping through the grass on his roof. That is the message they (NASCAR) are sending.”
