Does NASCAR Still Respond to Unruly Drivers by Bringing Them In to ‘The Principal’s Office’?

Animated drivers, rough racing, and off-track brawls. These factors have been customary since NASCAR came into existence. Yet the sanctioning body also had strict rules in place to limit rowdy drivers. Under Bill France Senior’s supervision, the NASCAR hauler served as a correction room for fuming drivers after a race ended.

This tradition was continued by France Jr and Mike Helton who overlooked operations on tracks. Their imposing presence taught drivers who were in charge. However, to keep up with changing times, NASCAR has evolved out of that fearsome atmosphere for racers.

Drivers dread that one hauler on the track

Rebuking for unhinged behavior extended even to the most popular drivers. Dale Earnhardt Jr is a prime example, as he drew Mike Helton’s ire in 2004. After making some objectionable comments over the radio at a Bristol race, Dale Jr got an earful from Helton. “You need to shut your mouth, wait until the green comes out, and stop talking like an idiot over the radio.”

Recently on ‘The Teardown’ podcast, journalist Jordan Bianchi expanded on Helton’s fiery persona, “It’s the equivalent to be called in the principal’s office, right? I found it interesting. We’ve all heard the stories, and like how Mike Helton is probably the most intimidating guy, or one of the most intimidating guys in modern NASCAR history (laughs)…what it’s like to be called in there and have to deal with him.”

However, ever since 2010, the officials have had a change of heart, mainly because of viewership trends encouraging a softer scolding of drivers. When Denny Hamlin and Juan Pablo Montoya retaliated against rivals and let sparks fly, the haulers did call them. But they let them go with one or two-lap suspensions.

Former CEO and chairman Brian France expanded on the topic in 2010, “This is a contact sport. We want to see drivers mixing it up. We want to see the emotion of the world’s best drivers just as much as everybody else does, and that is the goal for 2010 and beyond.”

Bianchi emphasized the same, “Then NASCAR has kind of shifted that as well. It’s no longer you go in there and you get screamed at, yelled at, and kind of get put in your place…NASCAR’s evolved…’Here’s what you can do better, here’s what you need to do better’ kind of thing.”

And NASCAR has continued with this approach till the present day. However, the dread of the hauler still persists.

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Talking back is still ill-advised

Contrary to his predecessor Helton, Elton Sawyer, who is current VP of competition, is known for his congenial attitude. He focuses on establishing a healthy dialogue and getting the message across to drivers. Yet the underlying tone is intact: drivers take care to talk less lest they dig themselves a deeper hole.

Kyle Busch gave off jittery feelings as he talked about this topic. “You are better off just keeping your mouth shut and taking the beating and walking on and seeing the light come up the next day,” Busch said. “I’ve had some meetings in there where I knew I was in the right. I knew I had a point, and my point was the solid, valid point. Boy, did that bite me in the a**.”

Busch’s fearful approach is not adopted by other drivers though, especially the next NASCAR villain after him- Denny Hamlin.