Some days you're left wondering how PASS can look itself in the mirror.On the heels of the Kyle Busch fiasco at All-Star Speedway back in late June, comes word that PASS marketing director Steve Perry will once again double as a car owner for the PASS North Series 300 at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway on Sept. 24. Perry will field an entry for multi-time Busch East Series champion Brad Leighton in that race.
Perry is the former co-owner of SP2 Motorsports, which provided Super Late Models for Mike Rowe. That ownership group disbanded late in the 2006 season, and Perry took a job with PASS in the off-season. This year, though, Perry has dabbled in car ownership on a few occasions.It's another blow to the disintegrating credibility of the PASS North Series.
No matter how fair PASS's officials might be, in theory or in action, it's entirely unfair to the other competitors next weekend to have to race against a car owned by a fellow official. If Leighton wrecks and another car is black-flagged for the incident, people can cry foul. If another car is wrecked by contact with Leighton without a black flag, people can cry foul. If anything happens that may or may not appear to be favoritism -- an incorrect lineup on a restart, a Lucky Dog award when he's not next in line, being scored ahead of the leader when the caution flag flies -- and people can cry foul.
It's not about this year. It's about next year and beyond. It's about a series that has trouble attracting 20 cars to its "non-marquee" events, and about teams that won't show up in the future if they feel like they're not getting a fair shake. Get into an incident with one of Perry's cars -- purely accidental or not -- and getting sent to the back for "rough riding" or "being part of the caution," and that team may never be heard from again.
That's another car and another team gone for good from Super Late Model racing. Given the current acrimonious climate between Super Late Models and Late Models, can that in any way be construed as a good thing if you're a PASS backer?
If Perry wants to field cars, go for it. Go for it all you want. Just give up your position in PASS, and no one will think twice. If Perry's not willing to do that, then he shouldn't be willing to disable the tour's credibility by fielding cars in races. Either way, you're supporting racing -- it's just that, as the old saying goes, you can't have your cake and eat it, too.
It's really that simple.
1 comment:
Very well put Travis! We are looking at PASS for next year, but things like this make us think twice. Some big decisions in the off season. Keep us updated on the little guys running in NH, most people seem to forget them and there are some great stories there.
Jeff
Post a Comment