NASCAR can’t avoid conspiracy theories

Like any high-profile organization called upon to make difficult and sometimes unpopular decisions, NASCAR is accustomed to having its judgment questioned.

Be it external from media and fans or internal from teams and drivers, criticism comes with the territory. But in a season rife with penalties and suspensions, the questionable timing of caution flags and a new controversy seemingly every week, NASCAR is faced with a growing need to defend not only its judgment but its integrity.

Perhaps it stems from the public's general mistrust of institutions (government, media, big business) or a blogosphere and talk radio culture that allows everyone with an opinion, however outrageous, an easy means to express it to a broad audience.

Or maybe, as NASCAR president Mike Helton said, it's simply fans frustrated by their driver having a bad day needing someone to blame.

"We hear it and it doesn't sit well," Helton said. "No one works as hard as we do to protect our integrity and credibility.

"When I hear the conspiracy theories on how we can fix (races) and arrange things a certain way, I want to tell them two things: One, we're not that smart; and two, do you realize how many people you'd have to get involved to manipulate the outcome of a race?"

NASCAR reacted quickly in April when Tony Stewart, frustrated by a rash of debris cautions late in a race at Phoenix, went on his satellite radio show and compared the series to professional wrestling in trying to orchestrate close finishes.
Stewart was called on the carpet the following weekend, apologized and retracted his comments, but not before a feeding frenzy was set off on the Internet. More at Indy Star