Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

Respect your opinion.  But, just to be clear, Kurt Busch's tirade on Jerry Punch was only the straw that broke the camel's back.  A series of immature events led to Kurt's release--not one incident.  I seriously doubt a blow up with a reporter alone would ever cost a driver his job----unless a racist slur were used.  

People need to stop comparing what Kyle did to what other athletes/drivers have done in the past.   This is uncharted territory.  He can be reinstated by Nascar all he wants.  He isn't going to find a ride until a major sponsor is willing to stick their neck out and risk major backlash.  And, when I say backlash, I mean a negative impact on their bottom line, not criticism. 

 So, when is that?  It's not in 2020---I'd be willing to bet on that.  I feel the odds aren't good for 2021 either------not as long as that video keeps resurfacing.   This is going to kill his chances for a great ride anytime in the near future.  Can it happen?  Sure.  The odds are low for this to be over quickly---and by quickly, I mean in the next 2 or 3 years.  

He has likely already been told this and is getting ready for his sensitivity training so he can get his WoO stint planned.  And, by the sounds of what's going to happen in this country this summer, that will likely not be until 2021.  

Lucas Oil co-founder Charlotte Lucas, went off on Muslims recently. The statement was quickly taken down. She tried to justify her remarks saying, "I was very upset when I said that." So why isn't NASCAR in an uproar over her statement?

Make no mistake what Larson said was wrong. He quickly apologized for his comment. He deserves some kind of punishment, but this has been blown way out of proportion.

NASCAR has not  said, or done, anything about Charlotte Lucas. I guess money really does talk. Go find the comments of  Doug Clark's son, Bruce. He put in perspective from the opinion of a person of color.

Big corporations market their products to people of all races and many of these companies are not just US companies but do business world wide.  The "butt hurt" comes when an advertising exec has to explain to the CEO why their company name got dragged through the mudd in every media source on the planet.  it's about morals and ethics but it is also about money and market share.  That's how this works.

Stan Meissner

I get that much Stan,  I just doubt the real, true impact that things like this really do have on their bottom line.   Heck,  specific company names were not even part of the equation until they put out a press release that instantly connected them to this word.   

LoL on what came up on some news feed today about McD's in China actually ENGAGING in racism.   They compared it to the WORD spoken by (and named in the article) KL.   

Actions speak louder than words, always have, always will.   

I think I'm offended that many people called Kyle  "Yung money" because he has some asian in him. Does it work that way? Can I start a hate movement now?

Lucas Oil is a corporation and a sponsor.  Perhaps you don't understand how businesses like Nascar work?

Sure.  If you had some leverage, you could do that.  But, I'm assuming you don't.  

I think the comparing of other athletes isn't so much about the return to a ride and if he can get one, it is more so about what people outside the racing circles are saying/labeling him compared to other athletes who may have done something worst. I have with sponsors withdrawing their support (even though some just took part in racism the following day McD) and others not jumping at the chance to sponsor him, and him having to earn back a reputation to get sponsored. However I kind of have a problem when some people would welcome back other athletes who have done actions worst than words and the same people labeling Larson stating that those athletes deserve a second chance. The sponsorship is a new dynamic completely where he probably is screwed for awhile.

It is not completely unchartered territory. Jerermy Clements said the word in an interview & was suspended indefinately which later turned out to be 2 races before returning for the remainder of the season. Difference is that Clements basically owns his own team but was able to get some sponsorship later. With Covid 19 going on right now, who knows what the future holds.

The only team that may risk it is SHR if they do not renew Clint. Larson most likely would be a cheaper alternative but that would be 2021. People are fickle though and by the time Dec, Jan roll around along with an election, it won't be as fresh of an issue. We have seen companies who endorse other athletes use prepared statements talk about how their company believes in 2nd chances and believe in the character of said individual as demonstrated by xyz reasons......

Another option would be a smaller team such as a Spire Motorsports which is an Sports Agency that owns a race team. That said team also represents Kyle Larson and to the best of my knowledge has not dropped him. President of Spire Motorsports is Ty Norris who is no stranger of controversy though not on this scale. They also have raced unsponsored a lot of the time. So it could come down to, does Kyle Larson want to race in Nascar by going the Kurt Busch route and racing for a team that is not funded for awhile and working his way up through skill again? Does he want to race in Nascar that much or will he go the full time sprint car route? He may have to pay for a ride as well depending on how much money he has saved up over the years. There are options for him to return but as far as a competitor to contend for the win each week, probably not.

2 things:

1.  It was not McDonalds, it was A McDonalds in China.  It was not corporate McDonalds.

2.  It was in China.  If it were a McDonalds in the US, McDonalds would have promptly pulled their franchise license, bet your life on it.  

    I understand what you're saying about the "real" impact this has on a corporation's bottom line. But that's not how a lot of the big boys operate. They have brand managers whose job it is to micro-analyze  everything about how their product is perceived- and to freak out.

I forgot about Vick, he's another one who got a second chance when many didn't think he should.  The dog fighting thing was a disgusting thing that could indicate he could become a serial killer, I'm not sure what to think on him though, he did say and do all the right things afterwards, so maybe he was truly remorseful.  Peterson on the other hand (I'm a Vikings fan by the way) showed how he's a horrible human being in my opinion.  When the story first broke, I thought maybe it's something with how he was raised, some people believe in that blah blah blah.  But after seeing the marks that were left on a 4 or 5 year old kid, it was hard to defend him after that.  But his actions afterwards spoke louder to me about who he is.  He showed absolutely no remorse, in fact I don't think he believed he did anything wrong.  After the suspension was lifted he wants the Vikings to trade him because he doesn't feel like the Vikings protected him when they should have.  Sorry Peterson but it wasn't the Vikings who beat your kid.  

Egras, I understand money talks in NASCAR. The super rich white lady can throw money at NASCAR and they swept her tirade under the rug. The young man of Asian descent got the book thrown at him. With regard to baseball player Marcus Strohman he very publicly defended the racial slurs used by a Mets player on Twitter. He said that the slur was normal slang. That slang trash talk is normal in our culture. 

Big difference on Kurt Busch, he was and probably still is an asshole, I don't know how else to describe him, if you've got a few hours to kill some night look up Kurt Busch uncensored radio chatter.  He was fired at the end of the season also which didn't do him any favors as far as getting a decent ride.  I think that contributed more to him not getting a decent ride, by the time he knew he needed a ride the good ones were all gone.

Come on with that BS. Very few people even know who Charlotte Lucas is -- and even fewer care. Larson is far more well known, and even for people who did not know him, a NASCAR driver is going to attract far more headlines than Charlotte Lucas.

Larson is not getting slammed getting from every angle because he is part Asian; he is getting slammed because people can't believe a NASCAR driver could throw away millions of dollars by being so foolish.

A lot has changed in the world since Clements said that.  That was in February of 2013.  Before all the protests, before all the police brutality cases and shooting or before they were so highly publicized, before BLM, before having all the athletes kneel for the national anthem and before having a president that people like to label as racist (not my words).  Social media was around but was different than today, from what I've seen today it's more about sharing a story or meme that coincides with how a person feels whether it's true or not.  News travels fast today, whether it's true or not.  I don't think it will matter when Kyle Larson gets back into racing, that first year will be hell on him.  It could be 2025 when he comes back and his sponsors will be badgered for partnering with a "racist", his face will be smeared everywhere and people will talk about the owner.  But I think after the first year back things will be fine.  But I think people are right in a month nobody will be thinking about this, until he's in the public eye again.

So, let's forget that Wendell Wallace ever competed in nascar. And that his treatment was just. Larson was ignorant and wrong. I do not belive this comment reflects his true character. I'll call a spade a spade, period. The hangman has his skeletons as do most hypocrites. His walk will do his talk and his skills will pay his bills. To be sure this young man is being slain by those who are the most suspect in their actions. He needs to be addressed with discipline, not....the distruction of his career. That's my buck n a quarter........Peace...Out....

  From central coast of Cali.
   Peace, Out.

BLM?  Bureau of Land Management?  

I want everyone on here who has NEVER said anything they shouldnt have to raise their hand.  People make mistakes.  He made a mistake.  He has lost alot and will lose more.  But for those saying he should never race again.  BS.  Kid made a mistake, grow from it and carry on.

Was at a Outlaw race and heard a driver use the C word talking to another driver.  Does that person hate women?  No Im pretty sure he doesnt as he is married with kids.  Have also heard music playing(crew members listening to music while working on cars) and the N word was said in the song.  Not sure what my point is just hate to see all this hate directed at him when alot of the people directing it have probably done as bad if not worse in their lifetime.

I'm not going to debate what is normal and acceptable and not acceptable.  

What I am going to debate is comparing a "rich white lady" (as you said it) who throws corporate sponsorship dollars at a sport and a young race car driver who relies on rich people sponsorship dollars to race.  

See who has the power here?  I'm not debating the morality.  I'm saying Larson has no leverage.  Lucas has ALL the leverage they need.  If they aren't concerned about selling their products to Muslims, they can say whatever they want.  If you own a restaurant and want to walk around making derogatory remarks at customers all day, that's your business.  But if your employee does it, and it costs you customers, it's your right to fire them!  

Get it yet?

And she can say whatever she wants!!!  It's her business that she represents!  It's not the same as when an "employee" says things that represent the business they are paid by!!!!!

I agree sir and well said by the way. As in my first remark on this topic about "when you race on someone else's dime", you are not in total control and you abide by the dime's owner's wishes. Step over that line and you are gone and so are the dimes in your pocket.