Short-timers

Just found out that the Whelen Modified Tour teams were told during their drivers' meeting that the New England 100 would not run the full distance.

And there's plenty of blame to go around for that disgrace, on that saw the event go just 85 laps.

NASCAR should be admonished. The track should be held accountable. Even the drivers to some extent need to examine their overall performance.

The entry blank for the race says it's going to be 100 laps, and the track sells tickets for Saturday's support program by advertising a New England 100. As ridiculous as it is to cut a race short for any reason short of inclement weather, it's far more unacceptable to cut a race short ahead of time -- because the television networks need to get their pre-race show on the air.

If you can't run the whole race in the allotted window, move the start. Move it up one half-hour. Start it after the Busch race. Run a late Friday afternoon doubleheader. Don't bring teams in, have them stick around for days -- running up restaurant and hotel tabs -- just so you can decide ahead of time you're not going to give them what you promised.

As for those race teams, they ran into walls and one another so often that it took over an hour and 20 minutes to finish those 85 laps. Eight times the caution flag flew (totaling 38 laps). If you know ahead of time that you're on the clock, exercising a little patience would go a long way toward alleviating officials' fears.

Maybe the fans deserve 15 percent refunds on their tickets.