June 12th, 2009 
T.C. People.
Just like any other sport on this planet, the basis of NASCAR is the people involved. The only real difference between NASCAR and other sports being the means in which the competition happens. In one, it’s guys chasing around a while ball trying to hit it the fewest times possible. In another it’s about putting a frozen piece of rubber into a net more times then the other team. And in NASCAR it’s guys duking it out for several hundred miles, behind the wheel of 3,400 lb stock cars, to see who is the fastest.
When you turn on your TV each week and tune in to watch a race, you are given a small glimpse into the lives of some of these people. You watch how they perform on the track, how they perform in the pits, and what they do and say when they have a camera and microphone in their face. And from watching these things, you form an opinion about what kind of person each individual is.
For example, you know that Jimmie Johnson is a great driver, but he’s “kinda vanilla.”
And, you know that Kyle Busch is also a great driver, but he is anything but vanilla.
But if you were being honest with yourself, do you really KNOW these things about these guys?
Unless you are best friends with them, of course you don’t.
This idea of reality vs. perception is not a new topic, but it is an underlying theme in a lot of the current hot button issues in our sport. Whether we are talking about Jeremy Mayfield, Carl Long, Dale Jr., or Kyle Busch.
There was a piece written by Matt McLaughlin that appeared on the website “The Frontstretch” on Tuesday this week about NASCAR’s new Citizen Journalist Corps. In it, McLaughlin offered up some advice that was given to him early in his journalistic career that caught my attention. Here is an excerpt:
[My boss] told me something that was going to stick with me for life. He told me that the more access I got to the garage area, the more I learned about the people who ran the sport and the people who made up the sport, the less I was going to like it. You look behind the curtain and you risk learning that the wizards are only mortal men. I was naive then, I never thought it could happen. It did.
I thought this was interesting because McLaughlin was being warned about his preconceived notions of the sport and the people involved. Like many others, he had this grandiose picture in his mind about the way things were, and he was about to find out that this picture was actually quite different. And apparently, he didn’t like that.
But where he was disappointed to find out that the “wizards” were actually “mortal men,” I personally was amazed.
Having been a long time race fan before I got involved in the sport, I had my own perception of the way people were. But the deeper I got, and the more I learned about the actual people involved, the more I loved NASCAR.
I found out that some drivers I didn’t really like on TV, I actually really liked in person; and vice versa. And discovering that the stars in the garage and on pit road were just regular people doing amazing things made me respect them even more.
Being active on Twitter has allowed us to have some great conversations with folks about a lot of topics. This week, I took the opportunity to find out what some people thought about the ongoing Jeremy Mayfield/positive drug test saga. I wanted to know why it seemed so many people were quickly jumping up to defend Mayfield. I didn’t understand why a positive drug test wasn’t enough evidence to believe Mayfield did wrong. The most common response I got was “he’s not that kind of guy.” Oh really? How do you know?
These folks have a certain view of Mayfield that they have built up over the years watching him race. They believe they know what kind of person he is because they’ve seen him compete and be interviewed on TV, or maybe they’ve met him briefly in public.
What they fail to realize is, the face these drivers put up and the responses given to reporters are often carefully crafted by the PR and marketing people behind the scenes. You are usually seeing the driver how they want you to see him.
So in the cases of both Jeremy Mayfield and Carl Long, the perception is that the big bully (NASCAR) is picking on the defenseless little guy (Mayfield & Long). And many people are eating it up.
The point I’m trying to make here is, don’t let outward appearances fool you into thinking these guys are anything more then regular people. Drivers, crew chiefs, tire changers, owners, whoever. They are all just normal guys who happen to do something special (and some get paid very well). They have problems and make mistakes just like everyone else.
But instead of letting that fact ruin your view of your favorite driver, or NASCAR as a whole, embrace it! Understanding that these people are real humans should make the sport more endearing. Instead of watching mythical beings at work, wouldn’t you much rather watch common men doing uncommon things? I know I would.
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The perception versus reality metric isn’t isolated to NASCAR personalities. Here are a few examples:
1. Is it really true NASCAR races are too long?
In isolated cases I’d say yes, but as a general rule no. In fact generally races are the same length as they were 2-3 decades ago, this despite having more yellow flags that is made up in most cases by having faster average speeds of today’s cars. It might take some investment of time but I’d suggest going thru the data at racingreference.info as verification.
2. Is the CoT the single reason for drivers “checking-out” once in clean air? That’s the perception
The reality is in both the NNS and Truck series, hardly a week goes by that drivers are spun out because “air is taken away” when a car is on the inside. It’s very common for drivers in both series to complain about “dirty air” back in the pack.
And finally, this is the real kicker for me, the very same whining and gnashing of teeth was heard by the same drivers that complain today when the steed under them was the old “template racer” in the pre-CoT days.
3. Are today’s NASCAR broadcasts chocked so full of ad time they are nearly unwatchable? That’s the perception.
The reality is not so much.
Here are the recent numbers. Notice while total time has increased slightly in 8 years the percentage of actual race coverage only slightly changes by a point or two.
The reality is a person would have to be damn attentive to the clock to actually “feel” the slight difference in total race coverage.
Total minutes of Broadcast total minutes of race broadcast Total minutes of Broadcast Commercials % of race broadcast
2000 CBS 205 162 43 79.02%
2001 FOX 201 157 44 78.11%
2002 NBC 229 180 49 78.60%
2003 FOX N/A due to rain broadcast
2004 FOX no data available
2005 FOX 268 207 61 77.24%
2007 FOX 235 176 59 74.89%
2008 FOX 218 166 52 76.15%
Perception unfortunately is what most people perceive as reality. Be it truth or not. Reality is not always what people want to hear or see especially in our athletes, hero’s, and public figures.
Loved today’s column. Thanks for a wonderful read.
Very thought provoking article.
Yeah, everybody is too quick to praise, and too quick to condemn. Sports or news, we don’t really know what the real deal is, we only get what is shown to us.
I’m not trying to be cynical, just realistic and maybe a little skeptical. If you aren’t there, you just don’t know (and even then you could have missed something).
Very interesting! However, I think some on here may accuse you of working for the NASCAR PR Dept.
That show NASCAR 360 that aired back around ’04-’05 was an interesting peak into the lives of some drivers and crew along w/ families. Jamie McMurry, who was a featured driver and his caring relationship w/ his niece who suffers from autism, earned my respect. Johnny Sauter’s struggles and commitment provided an insightful look as well. Mayfield’s piece didn’t rub me one way or the other. Kyle Bush was just a newcomer then when featured. Imagine how his spot and likeness will have changed?
Isn’t that the nature of being a fan though? To apply the characteristics that we admire to the people we want to admire? To ride the wave through the highs and lows. I want these guys to be heroes. I want them to overcome adversity. I want there to be drama. Being a fan is a lot like reading a book. There’s a protagonist and an antagonist to every story. A Kyle Busch for every Dale Jr. as it were. There’s an arc. There’s conflict and eventual resolution. That’s the way people get drawn in. Nascar racing is competition, but Nascar watching is entertainment, and we shouldn’t confuse the two. I think that being an Insider T.C. provides you with a perspective that’s inherently different that someone who isn’t. You may be more in tune with the reality of competition, but in a way you’re like Dorothy – who is better off for having curtain pulled back on the wizard, but if you were a resident of Emerald City (To follow the analogy) then the net result would be that you lost the one thing that made your city great.
I agree about the human nature of NASCAR, that’s why I’ve been a fan for over 40 years. Though I do love the engineering aspects, just as much. But I do want to comment on the recent positive results of Jeremy Mayfield and his suspension. First, some science behind his positive results. He came up positive in three areas. Two in the amphetamine group. One in the methamphetamine group, as stated in open court then gagged upon Jeremy’s lawyer request. Jeremy explained to Dr. Black that he had recently been taking a prescription for Adderall and combined it with the use of Claritin-D. So, they gave him a second test and subtracted the amphetamine group for Adderall and Claritin-D. The second test showed positive for methamphetamine, again. Scientifically, neither Adderall and/or Claritin-D will show positive for methamphetamine. Methamphetamine is greater than amphetamine and has a different chemical composition. NASCAR’s results after two tests are reliable. It takes 2-4 days for methamphetamine to degrade or reduce down to the amphetamine group. If Jeremy wanted an independent test, he should have sought one immediately, and perhaps a hair follicle also, not just a urine. Bottom line, Jeremy tested positive for three stimulants that I wouldn’t want driving on the freeway or even down my street. And, he put other drivers at a huge risk on the track. I’m glad NASCAR suspended him, as I believe they will do any driver who tests positive for drug abuse. Its just too damn dangerous for everyone involved. Perception never beats the scientific facts, but it can lead to interesting conversation.
To Marc….your reality is breakdowning down broadcast commercial time in a very plain and factual manner. Another reality is….you never miss a play of a baseball, basketball or football game unless the network is slow returning from break. With NASCAR…the race continues and the commercials seem eternal. Also, must of the ‘broadcast’ is jammed with product placements.. the shilling never ceases.
To T.C….somewhere between McLaughlin’s cynical piece and yours (Brian France says ‘thanks)…lays reality. The question NASCAR needs to ask…is why is NASCAR in general retracting in popularity. Perhaps fans wouldn’t think of NASCAR is a bully if they treated Chad Knaus, Kyle Busch, or Tony Stewart for questionable actions in the same manner as they do the ‘Jim Smith’s’ of the world.
We live in a world where a black woman sues NASCAR for harassment..and the suit is settle out of court…without disclosure. Where Brian France can drive eradically and tumble about in Daytona Beach or Michael Waltrip roll is vehicle and leave the scene of an accident…and no charges are filed. If I permit harassment at my workplace…I lose my job, if I break the law, I’m held accountable.
My reality is that for years…people bought into the ‘hero’ culture of NASCAR…no drugs, no thugs, how many times did we hear that NASCAR was free of such problems that plague the rest of sports and our society in general. And now the curtain has been pulled back..and we discover how ‘heroes’ are just like the rest of us. They are neither gods or villains…but the fall from the pedistal…is a long one.
My perception is that NA$CAR is being run by a very shallow, greedy, spoiled, arrogant, dufus. You’re correct, I’ve never met either France, or Mayfield, nor am I likely to. I just can’t convey to you how much I WANT Jeremy to be right. However, right, or wrong. From working in an industry with mandatory testing. I’m pretty sure my perception of NA$CAR’s drug policy being half baked is reality.
My perception as a long time fan, is that today’s NA$CAR is being woefully mismanaged, & a double file restart isn’t going to change that.
TC – I see your point and do not totally disagree with it. However, I look at the sport now the way I look at church.
When all I did was attend/worship on Sunday, I was naive about the politics, imperfections and warts of the church. I could attend, worship, listen to the sermon and leave thinking everything was hunky-dory. I got involved with the church and learned about how this clergy did not like that clergy, battles over where money was/wasn’t being spent, temper tantrums of the rector, etc… I liked being naive better.
I grew up loving racing. My bedroom was plastered with cars, pictures, autographs of my favorite drivers. I could tell you who won when/where/what year.
Now it is 35-40 years later and I have worked in CART, IRL, NASCAR and NHRA with some of the biggest names in the sport. And I learned that some of these guys are not what they seemed. I must say, learning your boyhood idol is (and I am filtering myself a lot here) an absolute jerk is heartbreaking.
Friends/family ask me a lot about who my favorite drivers are. I do not have any. I have learned over the years to keep any emotion out of business. Yes, these guys are just mere mortals. Some are really cool and down to earth. Some are self-centered jerks. Just like any other profession/business.
They ask “so, what is so-and-so REALLY like?” I will give a very vague “I do not really know him that well” and change the topic. I do not want to ruin their perception of them.
Great article, it really made me think. I like that. You are right about perception, I despise Kyle Busch, he may be the nicest guy in the world away from the track but if I saw him I’d probably just pee on his shoes. The perception I have of him is that he is a jackass.
As for Jeremy Mayfield you are correct again. We don’t know him. A glimpse of his personality has come out in the last few years though. It seems to me he is a guy short on talent who’s mouth talks him out of every opportunity he gets in racing. I don’t think it’s impossible that he turned to drugs to help with that stress. Only he knows for sure.
Interesting piece TC. Made me think and I guess that is the point. I like thinking of my favs at normal people doing extraordinary things. I would be disappointed if they were jerks but not exactly what they appear to be I’m OK with that. Jimmie, the vanilla, also requests Metallica from the house band at the Pit Crew Challenge and surfs a golf cart (I’m betting after a few adult beverages) not to mention keeping a beard just to aggravate his crew chief. I guess I am assuming the little inside info (well maybe not as inside as I like to believe) I’ve assertained makes me feel like I know them better than those that don’t pay as much attention to those specific drivers/teams etc. Listening to their scanner all race helps. Who knows maybe I’ve drunk too much koolaid
As far as Jeremy goes, we just don’t want it to be true. Things like this are not suppose to happen in our sport and especially not to someone who has made it all the way to the cup level. I am not foolish enough to think it can’t or doesn’t happen, I just don’t want it to tarnish the sport I love. Reality is it’s possible, sad but very possible.
Then of course you have them Marc Davis mess in the NW series with Brendan and his crew chief, that’s another really big can of worms. It’s been a interesting year for NASCAR.
My perception is that many in the professional media – especially those in or from newspapers – either carry a grudge against NASCAR or are convinced that bashing NASCAR sells, and that the “story” is more important than the facts. Since the Mayfield saga began I have read several articles on it where I am convinced I spent more time reading the available documents in order to be informed than the writers.
SteveRoberts – Your Mayfield analysis is spot on.
A point of clarification the second test once the first is positive is mandatory (to confirm the the 1st) and not a result of Mayfield declaring use of the two other drugs.
To further your point, methamphetamine shows a slightly different, and easily discerned molecule structure than “plain” amphetamine found in Adderall or Claritin-D.
It’s possible a mistake was made but it is slim to none.
And frankly, Mayfield’s last non-sense about him breathing in fumes from a fire only makes him look to be tossing crap into the pile hoping to obscure reality. His lawyer needs to tell him to shut the hell up.
Hadrian – “your reality is breakdowning down broadcast commercial time in a very plain and factual manner. Another reality is….you never miss a play of a baseball, basketball or football game unless the network is slow returning from break. With NASCAR…the race continues and the commercials seem eternal. Also, must of the ‘broadcast’ is jammed with product placements.. the shilling never ceases.”
True, you never miss a play (although I wouldn’t claim never I’ve seen the NFL miss kick runbacks) in the stick and ball sports.
But why is that? They all have natural breaks in the action, racing doesn’t have that except yellow flags.
In fact the NFL has mandated Ref timeouts that are specifically for commercials. The NHL strangely comes up with longer breaks in action supposedly to allow for player changes but when at a game you realize they are for longer ad breaks.
I agree the shilling never ceases but that’s is unrelated to the length of events or number of ad breaks.
That said, check an NFL head coaches headset next time a game is on. His boom-mic is plastered with a very large logo and brand name. Do the NFL, MLB announcers not say the game is being played in “such and such BIG corporation” stadium?
They sure do and it’s nothing but shilling and paid for ads.
Richard in N.C. – “Since the Mayfield saga began I have read several articles on it where I am convinced I spent more time reading the available documents in order to be informed than the writers.”
Yepper, couldn’t agree more.
I was absolutely appalled some headlines read “NASCAR Let Mayfield Drive While on Drugs.”
The stories went on to say NASCAR tested once and it was positive, let him drive then tested again.
The stories were absolute poppy-cock, NASCAR has zero choice until the confirming and second test came back.
But reality and truth didn’t matter to the nitwits that wrote them or their editors that supplied the headlines. Or both.
I made my venture into racing very young, while still in college. After a few months I quickly realized that my hero’s got in their britches just like me, one leg at a time. And if I cut ‘em, they’d bleed too. With that said I spent nearly ten years racing. I’ve seen a lot of good, a lot of ugly and a lot of stuff I didn’t agree with.
As the business manager of a truck team, I’ve been called to the hauler, more than once. Some times I got blessed out, others I was told to have a seat and chat. Fairness had a tendacy to balance out.
Back home, I had friends who would kill over certain drivers. And I’d think if they only knew. I wouldn’t spit on my mom’s favortie. And one driver I couldnt stand, brushed off a mob of reporters to talk to a small child in a wheel chair and roll him up in the hauler.
At the end of the day, and the end of my career it is the people of the sport of I miss. The one’s that became family. Sent gifts when my children were born and still send Christmas cards.
People aren’t perfect and we all make mistakes. New media formats tend to highlight these mistakes quicker and to some extent beat ‘em to death. So it’s a two-edged sword. The fans know more and have access to more that 10 years ago just didn’t get out.
TC, Marc, Knobcreek, Steve, et al,
This is why I read this site and have enjoyed it since its start: Your articles are fantastic and the latter conversation between everyone is great.
I have always wanted a career in NASCAR: I spent 20 years doing AF intel work and staying in that business was the best bet for taking care of my family. However, I did take a shot at trying to get into the sport on the NASCAR side of things… was it an eye-opener? Absolutely. Did it deter my love for racing, or my desire to someday work at the track? Absolutely not. People are people – good, bad, and ugly. As some say: it is what it is.
I have recently started my own consulting business supporting the Intel Community. However, once it is successful I am sure I will start take some time to knock on few race shop’s doors… I’m sure some team would use some intelligence collection, wouldn’t they?
Keep up the great conversations!
Cheers, AFMSgt
Hey guys,
Thanks for mentioning Matt’s piece. Very thought-provoking discussion over here, indeed …
As one of the professional writers on FS (and elsewhere) who’s been covering the sport for a few years now, I agree that the real answer lies somewhere in the middle. I know for me, one concrete example I can give of where my opinion changed is Tony Stewart. I definitely had some preconceived notions he was, well, not so nice. That’s a perception hard to give up when you love the sport for years and then go write for it — TV and everything you see makes it difficult to completely throw away bias right at the beginning. But when I finally had a chance to meet and hang out with the guy, I couldn’t believe how everything I’d said and heard on TV was just a snippet of who Stewart actually was. It was a really good thing …
Of course, at the same time you work so many hours in this sport sometimes that wipes the luster off no matter how much you love it. My passion will never die, but heck, when you put in 60 hours in four days in a far away place it’s easy to get a little cranky and every once in a long while wish that maybe, just maybe, you could go back to that fairy tale land where you didn’t know all the answers and could just be a fan for a day. But those are few and far between for me …
The best advice I could give is similar to what’s already been said here; take what you see and hear on TV with a grain of salt. In the end, those five second interviews can only go so deep. There’s always more to the story, and only in the really in-depth and features and pieces can you get a glimpse of what the real person is truly like. And even then … it’s always hard to give a 100% full snapshot. The media is often pressured for immediate answers in an era where we want to know what happened five seconds after news breaks. But here’s the truth … our technology may be better, but the truth never comes out any faster. The right answers come to the columnists who patiently wait for them.
One more thing … for those who really, really love this sport, even in the toughest times our passion will never wear off. The chills I get before the start of a race at Daytona when I’m running around on pit road are just as big as they were three years ago … if not more so.
Keep up the good work, Insiders.
“One more thing … for those who really, really love this sport, even in the toughest times our passion will never wear off. The chills I get before the start of a race at Daytona when I’m running around on pit road are just as big as they were three years ago … if not more so.”
I second that. I grew up in Indianapolis and got to know the sport as a youngster via the 500 (1st one was when I was 5). To me, the pageantry of that race was the norm. It was not until I was a teenager that I learned not all races had parades, mayors breakfasts, princesses, etc… Then in my post-college years when I moved away from Indianapolis, Jim Nabors singing Back Home Again had special meaning. I am typically a pretty unemotional person, but the goosebumps I get standing on the grid at Indy for that song are incredible!