NASCAR finds itself in predicament regarding on-track retaliations

Kenseth drills Logano

NASCAR finds itself in a predicament.

They went to this knockout-style Chase format to stir interest and drama, and it has done that. But it is also flirting with being more in line with professional wrestling than an actual sport.

That debate isn't going away anytime soon, either, after Matt Kenseth intentionally wrecked race leader Joey Logano with 46 laps left on Sunday.

"We were certainly disappointed with what took place tonight on the race track," NASCAR executive vice president Steve O'Donnell said. "There's still a lot to digest."

Kenseth felt justified in making the move, considering he held a grudge against Logano for an accident involving both of them two weeks ago at Kansas Speedway.

Fellow drivers seemed to see both sides to the story.

"Growing up, Terry Labonte, Ricky Rudd, those are guys you just did not mess with because you knew they would retaliate," Jamie McMurray said. "Matt Kenseth is in that same category. Matt races everyone fair and he races hard. I feel if he thinks that there could have been better decisions made, so be it."

Added Kyle Busch, Kenseth's teammate: "Did he do anything wrong? I don't know. Did he do anything right? I don't know. I think it all depends on whose name's above the door on whether or not you're allowed to do it."

Even Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage weighed in on the incident, likely disappointed those fireworks weren't saved for next week at Texas.

"Oh my. Oh my. Oh my," Gossage posted on his Twitter account. "I can't breathe. And @TXMotorSpeedway is NEXT!"
Having heated moments is nothing new to this Chase format.

A year ago at TMS, Jeff Gordon and Brad Keselowski brawled along pit road after the race following an on-track incident.
But some incidents are easier to swallow than others in NASCAR's mind.

The one on Sunday happened to involve a driver most considered the favorite to win the race and championship (Logano) and a non-Chase driver who was multiple laps down in the race (Kenseth).

"What we've said is the Chase format promotes great racing. We saw that today," O'Donnell said. "What was disappointing today was the incident, a driver that was not competing for a win. … In our minds, that's a little different than two drivers really going after it." Star Telegram http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/texas-motor-speedway/article42163320.html