April 9th, 2010 
T.C. One of the biggest storylines as we head into this weekend’s race at Phoenix will be how Denny Hamlin will perform just days after having his knee operated on to repair a torn ACL. Hamlin tore the ACL in his left knee while playing pickup basketball before the season started. The plan was for Hamlin to run the full season and have the injury fixed after Homestead, but pain and concerns over doing more damage led Hamlin to have the procedure done much sooner. Now, with Hamlin and his #11 Joe Gibbs Racing team possibly staring a lost season in the face, one has to wonder when teams will start banning their drivers and crew members from certain activities.
Contracts for many professional athletes contain clauses that prohibit the player from taking part in any number of activities that could pose a risk to the player’s health. With so much at stake, sports teams can’t afford to have their players getting injured doing crazy things. It’s not a stretch to think that NASCAR is next.
I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t know a ton about drivers’ contracts. I would imagine that in this day and age most probably have some language that addresses this issue. But I’m wondering if the teams won’t start getting very specific about what their drivers can and can’t do away from the track. If Hamlin does end up struggling for the remainder of 2010, and Casey Mears does actually get some seat time, both the team and Hamlin will be left wondering “what if.”
Along with the drivers, many crew members have contracts with their teams. While pit crew guys aren’t making anywhere near the money that drivers are, I also wonder if teams might start to limit guys on what they can and can’t do. I have heard of some teams banning pit crew guys from playing organized sports like softball. These contracts certainly aren’t guaranteed, but an outside injury might be a reason that a team could void a crew member’s contract.
I do understand that sometimes accidents happen. In the course of normal life, people are going to get injured. And I also understand that guys like to do other things outside of racing. I’m certainly no different, but it seems silly to possibly risk your entire career over one game of pickup basketball with your buddies.
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You might as well put a driver into bubble wrap with that line of reasoning.
What happened to Denny is the same thing that happened to Elliott Sadler and Carl Edwards when they got hurt this past year. The drivers were doing alternative sports to keep in shape, blow off some steam, and they had an accident.
Accidents happen, it’s just how it is. The driver could fall over a table at home or trip down steps-are you going to take away the furniture or the steps?
It was unfortunate for Denny that this happen, but Denny has been playing pickup in his backyard for years.
Of course, Mrs. Gibbs would be appreciative if Denny played less. Especially, after 10 pm;)
Every team owner must decide what’s best for their company, of course, but if I were one, I would not demand any physical restrictions.
Just gotta laugh, because what the Red Bull guys do when not racing IS insane!
There is a difference between hurting your knee while playing basketball and breaking your wrist because you suck Drunken Golf Cart Surfing.
That being said, I don’t think you can expect a driver who’s intent on staying fit to stay away from all activities not officially blessed by their contract. Basketball? Jogging? Kettlebells? Dune buggies?
All of these are arguably safer than ripping around concrete at 200 mph . . .
“Of course, Mrs. Gibbs would be appreciative if Denny played less. Especially, after 10 pm;)”
Ha, I think his house is for sale. Smart move.
I agree with you YowYow. Contracts should have clauses for super risky things like piloting small planes or skydiving or even racing in other events….but basketball?
Professional athletes that have limits in their contract are for dangerous stuff, I have never heard one of their contracts preventing them from playing a pickup game of basketball, or Frisbee. I have heard of them being limited from Auto and motorcycle racing. Have even heard of them being limited from working on pit crews in the off season.
Limiting the drivers from dangerous activities like rock climbing, sky diving, lion taming, etc I can see. Limiting them from playing basketball or Frisbee is a bit much. You are now cutting into their physical training. Are you going to limit them from lifting weights, jogging, riding a stationary bike since they could injure themselves that way also.
What does the Red Bull team do?? Did some looking but didn’t find anything.
Didn’t Denny cut his hand really bad in 2006 having a foot race around his hauler? I think drivers definitely need to have a “no foot racing around the hauler” clause in their contract.
@Ric – Brian Vickers routinely goes sky diving with the Red Bull guys. Red Bull encourages it.
I kinda remember JGR hampering Tony Stewart’s extra curricular dirt racing, and I remember him saying in interviews that it was contractual. I don’t know if Evernham did that to Kahne or not.
On the opposite side, I’ll guarantee that no team Kenny Schrader ever drove for in Nascar had a no racing clause.
As for dangerous activities, isn’t it dangerous to load up the bass boat and go fishing? To drive the RV home after the race? To ride your motorcycle in a long distance charity ride?
To cross the street?