The “Hail Melon” video game move that driver Ross Chastain used successfully at Martinsville Speedway last year will now result in a penalty based on NASCAR rule 10.5.2.6.A. The action that boosted him into the championship finale was hailed by some, but others called it dangerous and not in the spirit of fair competition. What other moves made on the racetrack should NASCAR examine for safety reasons?
- They do have plenty of safety rules in place. I, for one, am a fan of hard racing and slick moves. — Sandy McDermott Lewis
- I used to be a NASCAR fan. Nope, no more. Too many rules, changes at the drop of a hat, can’t do this or that. And what’s this with the green-flag finish, overtime finish, extend-the-race stuff? Oh, and let’s have some mandatory yellows and pit stop stuff? Run the race! Let’s see who can win the race. If you want to see real racing, go to the local dirt tracks. Eight laps and done. Ten- or 20-lap feature and done. — Vincent J. Deskiewicz Sr.
- This is another reason NASCAR is headed down the tubes. — Bob Hice
- That move was excellent. He drove like Dale Sr. Rubbing is racing. They want us to pay high prices for tickets and have the drivers drive like kiddy cars on the track. Let the drivers actually race and have real, hard competition. NASCAR changes and adds rules to their liking over and over. It is now ridiculous. — Denise Sloboda Deskiewicz
Did Knievel influence you on a bicycle?
Motorcycle stunt performer Robbie Knievel, who began on his bicycle following in the tire tracks of his adventurous father, Evel Knievel, died of pancreatic cancer recently. How did the notoriety of the father-son daredevils affect you as a kid riding a bike?
- I mean, who didn’t want to pull off jumps like Evel? I used to tie towels or blankets around my neck, just to have a cape like he did. — Matthew Fisher
- As a fellow Montanan, we watched Evel whenever he was attempting one of his stunts. We did our share of jumping our bikes and had our share of damaged rims for our dad to replace. — James Cannon
- Yep. He stopped in my mom’s bar one time, and I got his autograph. — David Ware
- Sure did! — Keith Wyatt
- I did not need his influence. I did enough stupid things on a bike. He was every kid’s hero. — Chuck Holliday
