From
Jayski : Helton: There's
no "gentleman's agreement": The whole issue - this "gentleman's agreement"
Winston Cup drivers have about passing during a caution period -- remains as
clear as the northern California fog that rolls over the golden hills above
Infineon Raceway. Does the "gentleman's agreement" still exist? It happened
again Sunday during the Dodge/Save Mart 350. Race-winner Robby Gordon, in a move
called "chicken" by Kevin Harvick and "crap" by Jeff Gordon, passed Richard
Childress Racing teammate Harvick on the way back to the start-finish line after
a yellow flag was waved on Lap 71. It was the third time this season that
drivers used their interpretation of the agreement to further their own
interests. At Dover earlier this month, Tony Stewart got bent out of shape when
leader Ryan Newman - who had a lap on Stewart - would not let him back on the
lead lap during a caution. In March at Texas, second-place Jeff Gordon - of all
people - passed leader Matt Kenseth under yellow, although Gordon was trying to
keep some lapped traffic lapped. Let's let Winston Cup Series director John
Darby explain what's supposed to happen when a yellow flag flies: "Once a
caution flag is displayed, the only cars technically under caution are the ones
who have driven under the caution flag," Darby said. "If a big group is beyond
the start-finish line and the caution flag comes out, they're still officially
under green until they get back to that start-finish line. At that point, the
drivers have a choice of either easing up, everybody getting in line and coming
back; or in many situations racing back." At a drivers meeting Sunday before the
Sonoma race, Robby Gordon said he repeatedly asked if it was OK to pass during a
caution. NASCAR president Mike Helton responded to Gordon and the rest of the
drivers: "There is no gentlemen's agreement, we figured that out a couple of
races ago. Guys, this not a new gig, this is the same deal we've done before. I
know everybody wants to be up front and you want to get every chance you can
get. In the event we feel like you got one unfairly, we will react. In the
meantime it's up to you guys to work it out up there. If you're going to be
obnoxious about it, we'll get into the middle of it. Nine out of ten times we'll
let you guys have it."(much more at
ThatsRacin.com)(6-23-2003)
Curtis |