Mixed reactions surround kurt busch decision
Sounds like all is not happy in the nascar garage on this one.....
NASCAR has deemed Kurt Busch eligible for the Chase and some folks aren't happy with the decision.
Of course, it's difficult to get an accurate count one way or another, the court of public opinion being a vocal bunch but not necessarily an official one.
There are just as many, again unofficial, that seem to believe the initial response that sidelined the 2004 champion was a knee-jerk reaction, an attempt by NASCAR to save face by reinstating the driver and allowing him to compete for a spot in the Chase.
Busch, his indefinite suspension lifted, returns to his role as driver of the Stewart-Haas Racing No. 41 Chevrolet this weekend when NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series travels to Phoenix International Raceway, site of Sunday's CampingWorld.com 500.
It will be his first points race of the season -- he finished 15th in the non-points Sprint Unlimited at Daytona International Speedway and 12th in one of two qualifying races for the Daytona 500.
While he has been allowed to return to competition, Busch, according to NASCAR, is under "indefinite probation" and must continue to take part in a treatment program as well as comply with "any judicial requirements placed upon him."
His three weeks on the sideline came as a result of domestic violence allegations made by former girlfriend Patricia Driscoll. A Kent Co. (Delaware) family judge granted Driscoll a protective order, however the State Attorney General declined to file charges against the driver.
NASCAR reinstated Busch following the latter decision.
Under the guidelines of the current Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup format, drivers and car owners must start all points events of the current season to be eligible for the Chase, unless otherwise authorized by NASCAR.
Unless being the key word in this case.
In spite of missing the season's first three races, NASCAR has waived the Chase requirement for Busch. Should he win one of the remaining 23 races or earn a spot based on his position in the points standings, he would be one of the 16 drivers in this year's Chase field.
Similar situations have come up before -- three other drivers have been granted waivers since NASCAR retooled the Chase format before the start of the '14 season.
Last year, Denny Hamlin missed one race (at Auto Club Speedway), won one race (at Talladega Superspeedway) and was awarded one of the 16 Chase starting positions.
Tony Stewart, out for three races last summer after his involvement in an on-track fatality in a non-NASCAR sanctioned event, was given the all clear to pursue a Chase spot upon his return. Unlike Hamlin, Stewart was unable to qualify for the 10-race program.
Before the start of the '15 season, NASCAR announced driver Brian Vickers would be eligible for a Chase spot after missing this season's first two races due to health issues.
When it comes to governing the hard parts and pieces of the sport, NASCAR is precise. Rules are rigid and highly detailed. There is only black and white.
But when it comes to situations involving individuals and their actions or issues, it's more difficult to be consistent. Because rarely, if ever, are those situations exactly the same. Vickers couldn't race because of doctor's orders. Busch couldn't race because NASCAR wouldn't let him. Hamlin only missed one race; Stewart missed three.
Each situation was different, yet when it came to the question of Chase eligibility, all were treated the same.
Whether one agrees with it or not, NASCAR officials need that kind of latitude when making decisions that can impact a driver's career and a team's efforts to be competitive. To rule otherwise could potentially create more problems that it would solve.
Busch enters this weekend's race with no wins and no points. There are no guarantees that he will qualify for this year's Chase.
He's eligible, according to NASCAR.
The rest is up to him.