Under the new rules package, it seems most races are won or lost by pit strategy rather than driver ability.

Maybe it’s time for NASCAR to consider presenting the trophies to the crew chiefs instead of the drivers.



You got me thinking and I believe I’ve hit upon a way to truly determine the most talented racers.

First, we get rid of the spotters up on the roof. Motion seconded and carried? Good.

Next, we get rid of all radio contact between the pits and the cockpits. All crew chief-driver communication has to be done through texts. You heard me, texts.

Listen, I know it’s bad form, but those guys already do things behind the wheel that’s illegal for you and me. What’s one more?

No verbal texting either. Strictly through the keypad.

When a driver has to remove his glove to text, then actually text, while navigating around Ryan Newman in Turn 2 … now that takes otherworldly skills.



Why did NASCAR stop posting the drivers’ race winnings a few years ago? I assume it's too complicated due to the money from TV rights, sponsors, bonuses, etc.

Drivers are salaried employees of race teams but it would be nice to know how well they do on purse earnings. Golf states its purse winnings, and we know how much NBA, MLB, and NFL players make.



You pretty much answered your own question. But still, an interesting point.

Prior to NASCAR adopting a new system that excluded publicizing purse winnings, there was a convoluted system that drove many fans crazy. Depending on drivers’ status, manufacturer and assorted sponsors, not every driver was racing for the same available purse as others.

Jeff Gordon could finish sixth and earn $155,000 while, say, Jamie McMurray could finish fifth and earn $95,000. Problem was, without knowing details of a driver's contract, we didn't know how much of that money was his and how much went to his owner.

We’d get calls and letters (remember letters?) all the time about that weird system. Then it went away and we got questions about that, too.

There are probably bigger issues, but still, it’s another of those seemingly minor gripes from longtime fans — gripes that can pile up over time and become obstacles between those fans and the track.



In the same breath as Bill Buckner and Fred Merkle, mention should be made of Fred Snodgrass, who dropped an easy pop fly in the 1912 World Series, contributing to the New York Giants’ loss to the Boston Red Sox.

That event was covered in Ken Burns’ documentary series on baseball. Snodgrass, like Buckner and Merkle, was an outstanding player but was long remembered for the one big error.



“Outstanding” might be a bit strong when describing Snodgrass’ career, but he was mostly decent-to-good in a career that ended at age 28.

Others have made regrettable mistakes on the biggest October stage with images intact. Curt Flood misjudged a well-hit ball in Game 7 of the ’68 Series, costing his Cardinals and Bob Gibson against the Tigers. But that’s not what Flood is remembered for.

Babe Ruth was caught stealing second base with two out in the ninth inning of Game 7 in 1926, with the Yankees down by just one run. He, too, is remembered for other work.

Lonnie Smith, a fast but often strange base runner, might’ve cost the Braves the 1991 Series against the Twins with his eighth-inning boo-boo. But he, too … oh, wait, come to think of it, that’s exactly what most old Braves fans remember him for.

Conversely, Bill Wambsganss was just a fair-to-middlin' second baseman for 13 seasons but is forever remembered for converting an unassisted triple-play in the 1920 World Series. Well, remembered for that and being named Bill Wambsganss.

Reach Ken Willis at ken.willis@news-jrnl.com