Terry Labonte’s Duel start-and-park should make NASCAR act

February 23, 2012 14 Comments »

Terry Labonte's car didn't spend much time on the track Thursday during his Gatorade Duel race. Hopefully, NASCAR noticed. Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR

First things first: Terry Labonte is the nicest person I’ve ever interviewed.

Somehow, during a phoner, he managed to outdo then-MetroStars goalie and current English Premier League star Tim Howard (who walked across the locker room, grabbed a chair and brought it back to me so we’d both have a place to sit while we chatted).

When I answered the phone for the two-time Cup champion, all I heard, in a slow Texas drawl, was, “My name is Terry Labonte.” He sounded like an entry-level salesperson who was about to sheepishly ask me if he could come over and show me laminate siding. It was the most unpretentious introduction I’ve ever received from an athlete, and my only regret is that I didn’t keep the recording.

It’s hard to criticize Terry. But I have to, not as much to berate him but to stick up for everyone else who comes down to Daytona Beach in February sans a guaranteed starting spot.

It’s sheer hell. And it can’t be any easier when a guy with a past champions provisional makes zero attempt to qualify for the race on anything other than past glory.

Labonte didn’t have the horses under his FAS Lane Ford to be any kind of legitimate threat during Sunday’s qualifying. But there’s absolutely no excuse for doing a start-and-park after 12 laps (citing “vibration,” wink, wink) of his Duel race.

Last year Labonte, with the provisional guaranteed, ran all 60 laps of his Duel race, finishing 18th. Sure, he probably had no more intent to contend in that race than he did Thursday.

But that provisional starting spot, in essence, is a thank-you from the racing community for a job well done. It is a sign of respect that deserves and demands reciprocation. On Thursday, Labonte — along with FAS Lane owner Frank Stoddard, another guy I like (spending 10 minutes with him outside his hauler was a highlight of my Dover Chase race weekend last year) — pretty much stuck out the proverbial middle finger to NASCAR and all the fans who wanted to see a legend race.

This is the second time in less than a year that we’ve seen someone abuse the spirit of the past champions provisional. At last April’s Aaron’s 499, Bill Elliott used the provisional to get Whitney Motorsports into the race. He then handed the car off to J.J. Yeley soon after the race started in a predetermined move because he didn’t just feel like running the whole distance.

In a column I questioned whether Elliott was hurting his legacy. After seeing Labonte’s stunt, I no longer care about legacy. I care about fairness, and swift NASCAR action.

The past champions provisional needs to go away — immediately.

Follow Josh Stewart on Twitter @JoshNASCARWWE.

  • Matt Vinson

    While I agree to a point, in a sport where people’s lives are on the line I have no problem with Terry taking advantage of the rule. However, I would not mind seeing the rule changed.

  • Robert

    ALL provisionals need to go away. If you don’t qualify for one of the 43 starting positions on your speed, you don’t race regardless of who you are or who you race for. Only fair way to do it. My opinion anyway.

    • Tom

      You are exactly correct, in addition get rid of the top 35 rule.

  • bigcaddy1

    You need to see the big picture .If terry raced in what would robbies excuse be.You need to be complaining about all the buying of points that goes on.How many times did D.W. andR.P.use spots when spots when spots were unlimited.Robbie shines offroad,but has problems when he is fenced in.

  • Frank Anthony

    Not only the champs provisional but also the top 35 BS. This ia a new season. What happened last year don’t mean S$%^. No where else in all of racing do you get an automatic spot. It’s a real shame that these ” best drivers in the world”, HAHA, cant get in the show on their own. Wake up NASCAR, this is a sore spot for all your fans. Frank

  • shut up

    If you don’t like it, then you pay $100 or more per mile for an engine lease, plus a tire bill. Why bother running up bills in a meaningless race when you have a spot in the big race? Every po dunk blogger wants to spend other people’s money. Get some of your own, and then, and only then, can you run your mouth.

  • Eric

    Several things here. One, FAS Lane already revealed that the reason for the start and park was because they have NO backup car for the 500. They have also been skipping practices as well to save the car. But since the fact that Terry running the entire Duel last year seemed to satisfy you (even though he still used the PCP), then logic says your problem can’t be with the past champs provisional itself, but rather the idea of parking in a Duel race after having secured a guaranteed spot, in which case you should also be ripping Tony Raines for doing the exact same thing in the second Duel.

    If you must attack someone though, attack FAS Lane Racing. Don’t put a future Hall-of-Famer like Terry Labonte through the wringer for something that likely wasn’t his decision.

    Also, have you addressed the fact that Joe Nemechek has been starting and parking in races constantly for the last few years now? Almost every week he costs a spot to a team who would run the full distance. At least the 32 car plans to run the entire race Sunday, and will likely be quite competitive doing it.

  • Tony Geinzer

    I would like to see the Past Champions Provisional be reserved for Active Past Champions, first and last, and I feel for 2013′s Twins, which I would see Merit Spots as the First Winner claims Pole and if they didn’t make the field in the Top 22 or 21, as long as they didn’t wreck Car or Engine, I’d be okay with having more than just field fillers as Robby Gordon has a point, despite being on his last NASCAR Lap.

  • Greg

    The PCP should only be valid for 5 years after that driver won his last championship.

    As for the Start & Parks , if they do not have the financial backing to RUN properly then do not run at all and that goes for all 3 series. Some show up with 1 set of tires and next to no crew members but get BIG $ for qualifying and running 5 laps.

    Payouts should be based on LAPS run in conjunction with yout finish.

    You do not see this other sports , only play the first 1/2 of a football game then go home

    • Ben

      Ever watched an NFL game? There are many times players only show up for a half (or not at all) as far as effort. Randy Moss made a career of playing just a half and going home.

      In all seriousness, I like the idea of a past champions only being good for 5-10 years. One thing it also does it takes a ride from a driver that is trying to make a career, not just get hired because of the guaranteed shot they hold. I guess this is the path Bobby Labonte will have for the next 15 seasons unless this rule is changed.

  • john

    get rid of provisionals , top 35. Team should pick a car to use on weekend. practice gualify if they make it there in if they wreck it fix it or cant run mess up a motor rebuild it as long as the block never leaves the frame. Last but not least go back to factory bodys.

  • ddsbstrb

    Eric has some very good points. I visited Frank Stoddard’s shop a couple of years ago, in Concord at that time, and this is truly a very low budget-team, which does run ALL of the races. I think, last season, Kenny Schrader was not able to get the 32 into one race, before they were top-35.

    When I visited the shop, there was Frank Stoddard working, along with about 3 to 4 other guys. There couldn’t have been more than a half-dozen cars on the shop floor; so, when they say there is no back-up……I believe it.

    Give “Texas” Terry and Frank Stoddard a break……this is classic “little-guy” actually making it in NASCAR, for a change. I find supporting this team, their various drivers and their non-major-league-sponsors……….a very refreshing change.

    I, for one, hope this team survives for years to come. We need more like this team; as they need support, not “bashing”.

  • roger

    I read where someone suggested that the past champions provisional only goes the the driver that is still in the same car as before. I like that idea, if they are going to have any type of advantage of a past champ prov. And like most on here I agree to getting rid of it all together and with it the top 35 crape. If a driver no matter who he is can’t quailfy on speed then let them sit out that race even though with the economy I doubt this year there will be much problem of too many car for a field. I see some less than 40 fields out there. And this start and park. When the field like the 500 sends 9 drivers home and within the first 20 las there are 5 cars parked, that is not fair to those 9. I would like to see if they can not prove they had a problem then they are not allowed for at least 5 races to show up. But NASCAR aint fair…if it was would there still be a Chad Knaus to get caught year after year cheating?

  • Richard

    So of those 9 sent home, which are not also “start n park” cars? JJ Yeley? Robert Richardson? It was actually 6 cars going home, none of which is a full time team.

    And as I am watching this Terry Labonte has run as high as the top 5, is running on the lead lap and in the main pack of cars, 18th spot with less than 50 to go.

    Although most of the focus of the Fox team has been on 40th place, 64 laps down.