Waltrip Deserves Nothing

Michael Waltrip Racing cheated. His employees violated rules. NASCAR confiscated his primary ride. They also severely punished his organization. Facing bleak and self-induced circumstances, Waltrip raced a borrowed, secondary machine into the Daytona 500. Waltrip’s success was labeled exceptional and remarkable. These are incorrect adjectives. Waltrip is a rogue. He is an offender who was caught. Let us not celebrate him.

On Wednesday, jet fuel was discovered within an intake manifold. For this violation, Waltrip was penalized one hundred championship points and fined one hundred thousand dollars. Crew Chief David Hyder and Team Director Bobby Kennedy were suspended indefinitely. Hyder was sacrificed via firing.

On Thursday, Waltrip started duel one last. After tangling with Dale Earnhardt Jr., Waltrip resurrected his chances. He matriculated toward a transfer position. On the final lap, he earned a coveted Sunday place. He will begin the Daytona 500 in fifteenth.

Personally, I believe Waltrip’s penalties were warranted. Miniscule fines and obligatory field placement are insufficient. NASCAR’s reprimands must hurt. They must instigate reflection. They must serve as a castigating example. Violations may never cease. With that stated, severe consequences will restrict them.

On Sunday, Waltrip will race. His organization’s actions were heinous. Their penalties were deserved. The merits of their start are interpretable. Opinions are now irrelevant. Waltrip may win, wreck, or wretchedly perform. Wherever his finish, let us refrain from endowing the result with undeserved significance.