Could Ryan Newman find himself a free agent again?

Will Ryan Newman drive for Stewart-Haas Racing next year?

There have been hints that the unthinkable--Ryan with a different race team--could become reality, if permanent sponsorship for Newman's race team isn't found. Tony Stewart has apparently told Ryan that he is free to keep his options open. Newman's contract expires at the end of this season. SB Nation reported that Stewart wants to keep Ryan as his teammate, but that in the three years Newman has been at Stewart-Haas, his races have never been fully funded. Haas Automation, owned by Gene Haas, the team owner, has picked up the races that remained without a sponsor. Various companies have offered sponsorship for a limited number of races, but no one sponsor exists for the entire racing schedule.

I admit--I didn't see this one coming.

The added pressure of uncertainty about next year might explain the underlying frustration affecting the #39 team. It is difficult to say, however, because the #39 team's performance hasn't been up to its usual caliber either. The question then is, did frustration affect the team's performance or did poor performance result in the team's frustration?

There have been 11 races run so far in the 2012 season. With one win, two top 5's and three top 10's, the team's average finish was only 16.5. Of those, one was a DNF (did not finish) when an engine blew at Talladega early into the race.

Newman had a rough start to the season, finishing 21st at Daytona and Phoenix. At Las Vegas though, he finished 4th, followed by a 12th place finish at Bristol and 7th place at California and the win at Martinsville. Since that time though, there have been issues.

Newman was in the position to win at Martinsville, but he pulled it off by capitalizing on mistakes made by Clint Bowyer, Jeff Gordon, and Jimmy Johnson.

At Texas, Johnson complained that Newman was racing him too hard. See: Still complaining? Give me a break Jimmy Johnson. Newman finished 21st. At Kansas Newman made an unscheduled pit stop to change tires. He was unable to advance further than a 20th place finish. Newman eaked out a 15th place finish at Richmond, despite an ill-handling race car. Engine troubles ended the race for the #39 team early at Talladega. Darlington resulted in a 23rd place finish, thanks in part to a crash late in the race.

It was at Darlington that an incident involving Kurt Busch has brought further frustration to the race team.

Busch crashed his Phoenix Racing Team #51 car late in the race. As part of that incident, Newman checked up to avoid hitting him, causing Newman to get hit from behind, sending his #39 car spinning into the inside wall.

While Newman was on the track, Busch allegedly did a burnout through Newman's pit box, while the crew was still on pit road, which could have compromised the safety of some of the crew members from the #39 team. Following the race, #39 team members went looking for Busch.

As a result of his actions, Busch was fined $50,000 by NASCAR and put on probation, for wreckless driving. One of his crew members was fined $5,000 and put on probation until Dec. 31 for interfering with a cameraman. In the melee that followed, NASCAR fined Newman's gas man Andrew Rueger $5,000. He too was put on probation as was Newman's Crew Chief who according to NASCAR should be responsible for the team's actions.

Again, I'm stunned. I felt that Stewart-Haas Racing, Tony Stewart, and Ryan Newman were an excellent fit.

I just can't help but wonder about the timing of this "sponsorship" issue, which has never been a problem. There was always a non-committal, almost lackadaisical attitude about it.

I can't help but wonder, in revisiting the above story about Jimmy Johnson crying over Newman racing him too hard. When I was researching articles to write about Johnson, I came across one that indicated that Tony Stewart was in a tenable position because Jimmy Johnson has such a good relationship with Rick Hendrick.

Not only was the racing incident at issue, but the fact that Johnson or Gordon didn't win the 200th race for Hendrick; Newman won instead.

Hendrick does supply engines and parts for Stewart-Haas Racing. I dismissed it at the time, but is it possible that the writer knew something the rest of us didn't? I assumed that Stewart would never throw Newman under the bus to keep Hendrick happy. But now I am starting to wonder.

Related articles

• Will Ryan Newman Return To Stewart-Haas Racing In 2013?

  ---

• Ryan Newman calls out Kurt Busch for Darlington fireworks

  ---

• NASCAR fines Kurt Busch $50,000

  ---

Is NASCAR trying to commit suicide?

Talladega Racing not up to snuff!

I've been searching my soul, trying to figure out why I was so annoyed during Sunday's NASCAR race at Talladega.

Talladega has always been one of my favorite tracks, and not in anticipation of the 'big one' either. The racing was always exciting. Not this time! 

At first I thought I was just upset because Ryan Newman had engine troubles early on. Being a die hard Newman fan, my first inclination was to simply believe that Newman's absence on the giant oval was what bugged me. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that was only part of it. 

What was really responsible for wrecking (no pun intended) the racing at Talladega was NASCAR. 

I may be in the minority, but I rather enjoyed tandem racing. It was exciting, frenzied. I watched some of the best drivers in the world, knowing there was no way I could ever do that. I always listen to the race scanner to supplement what I don't see on television. So much more goes on--than ever gets shown on the broadcast. And then there are the numerous commercial breaks. The scanner is almost mandatory to follow racing. I love Race Buddy, but why provide something for free when there is money to be made. I'm sure getting us hooked on Race Buddy was just a teaser to entice us to buy NASCAR's Trackview. Don't they make enough money? 

The need for a scanner is especially true for people like me--Newman fans. Fans of Dale Earnhardt, Jr. could just listen to the commentators who seem to fall all over themselves to talk about Junior's progress on the track, even if he's a lap down. Don't they see that kind of bias isn't fair to anyone; but it is especially unfair to Earnhardt. It puts undue pressure on him to perform, which in turn makes it more difficult to perform. 

Tandem racing still exists, no thanks to NASCAR. Their first effort to quash it was to end the communication among the drivers. Why in the name of safety did NASCAR do that? It seems that no matter what, drivers are going to pair up. It is just safer for them if they can talk to one another. Having to use hand signals isn't optimum at 200 mph. Besides, what is the point when drivers can still hook up through their crew chiefs and spotters? When you come right down to it, the same situation exists, but through a third party. Doesn't that compromise safety to add another voice to the mix? 

Tandem racing to me, was the innovation drivers came up with--to speed around the track as fast as possible, to get to the finish line first, which is their job. They do everything they can do to increase their speed around the track, which is probably an unconscious effort to bypass NASCAR's initial Talladega change, the restrictor plate.

Possibly the worst offense was altering the allowable size to the opening on the radiator, restricting the amount of air that gets to cool the engine, already running hot because of the weather and the other changes NASCAR has implemented. Drivers should watch the race track, not their own gauges. 

NASCAR's continual interference results in new rules, changes in existing rules, and policy alterations, all in its effort to control the racing. Why don't they let the drivers control the racing? I bet drivers have very little say if any. 

Debris cautions, competition cautions; scoring loops; start boxes; too fast entering, and exiting; changes in equipment between practice and qualifying, and the latest, a less than perfect restart; commentators have to explain what is going on. Funny, there are times even they don't understand it. 

Remember the boys have it it, and then secret fines when they did? NASCAR seems to be all about rules, infractions, last-minute changes, and so many other things that contribute to changing the face of racing. It has gotten to the point that what occurs on Sunday afternoon is barely recognizable as racing anymore. If I am frustrated, I can only imagine how the drivers feel. But then, they are compensated handsomely to ignore their aggravations. My only recourse is to find something else to do on Sunday afternoon. 

Today, racing is more about strategy, engineering cars that are all the same without getting caught, perfect pit stops, pleasing sponsors, fuel mileage, making favorite drivers look good, and on, and on, and on. How is this racing? 

I've talked to other people--NASCAR fans from back in the day--who tell me they haven't watched a race in years because of how annoying it has become. Commercials are broadcast almost continually--even during green flag racing. How many time have incidents on the track had to be explained through replays because they occurred during a commercial break?

NASCAR is all about the money--we know that. But stop shoving it in our faces and down our throats. Isn't it enough that the cars and drivers 'wear' commercials on their bodies? Do we really have to watch Michael Waltrip shake his butt in the NAPA commercial over and over again during the course of a race. I assure you, once would suffice.

If NASCAR wonders why the stands aren't always full and television ratings aren't what they would like them to be, perhaps the best solution for NASCAR would be to take a hands off approach. Otherwise, NASCAR might have to list itself on its own cause of death.

Seeking opinion: Jeremy Mayfield innocent or guilty

One of the saddest stories in NASCAR is that of former driver Jeremy Mayfield.

At one time, Mayfield had it all. He was a golden boy who brought home six-figure paychecks each week. Today, he not only has lost his job, but his home has been foreclosed upon. He could even lose his freedom as he faces new drug charges.

Jeremy Mayfield (Photo credit: nascar20guy)

It is all about illegal drugs. It is about NASCAR. It is about the justice system which is seemingly skewed in favor of those who can afford to win. It is about the secrecy, lawyers, confidentiality, and clout. It means that the general public should not take sides without knowing all the facts. And the facts are purposefully kept from the public, a practice I abhor.

There are clearly two sides to this story; neither of which is probably completely true. This is a case that reconciles my belief that truth is in the eye of the beholder. It illustrates another of my long subscribed beliefs; in our system of justice, there are no winners. Everybody who participates loses something.

There are times that we may never really learn the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Sometimes it comes out in the end; but often times the truth is never fully revealed.

Prior to May 2009, Jeremy Mayfield was a NASCAR driver; he won races. He was suspended by NASCAR indefinitely that year for failing a drug test. NASCAR claimed Mayfield was a methamphetamine user. Headlines screamed across the country about Mayfield's alleged substance abuse. NASCAR did away with him, allegedly, to protect the the other drivers, and of course the purity of the sport. Many other factors led up to this final action.

Yet Mayfield alleges that the drug test he failed was due to over-the-counter medication he was taking that  produced a false test result. He sued NASCAR to get his job back and to set the record straight. He lost because he signed a waiver that precluded his ability to sue the sanctioning body. So, he planned to appeal.

In the latest twist, Mayfield has decided not to pursue the appeal. He says he didn't use illegal drugs. His wife Shana, remains by his side and continues to proclaim her husband's innocence.

Since the initial complaint, a series of other incidents have occurred; none of which put Mayfield in a positive light, while NASCAR came out of it smelling like a rose. Going back to my theory about no winners in the legal system, I can't help but be suspicious of such a one-sided outcome.

Either Jeremy Mayfield is a drug-crazed maniac that deserves to be removed from society much the way he was removed from the race track, or he is a victim--much like a government whistle-blower--someone who take on the most powerful and become a hero in the process.

Both scenarios could have merit. Let's face it, Mayfield was clearly the little guy--the David against Goliath. NASCAR is a fiefdom that rarely, if ever admits when it makes a mistake. Rarely does the media side with David. It is so much easier to take information from Goliath.

Even I have questioned some of NASCAR's actions, such as its imposing secret fines, its seemingly unfair rulings, inconsistent treatment of certain drivers, overall bias in race coverage, to name a few.

NASCAR is obsessed with its image and anything that negatively affects its bottom line, no matter what. NASCAR uses all its resources to head off bad publicity. Conversely, outlandish accusations made against NASCAR often come from eccentric fans who have little or no credibility, inspired by a less-than-desired outcome for their favorite driver in a given race.

But, imagine, what if NASCAR made a mistake in accusing Mayfield three years ago? What if all this time Mayfield has simply been trying to clear his name? Perhaps he thought he was doing the right thing, but NASCAR merely saw him as a threat to their brand. Is Mayfield a drug user and abuser or is he a victim of a powerful controlling force.

I admit--I have no answers--just questions. I'm not qualified to even take a side here because there is just too much speculation. I suppose time will tell, although I reiterate--time will likely not tell all.

This is just one example of why secrecy is so harmful. It leaves room--no it encourages--speculation. It hurts both sides.

I'd love to hear what others have to say about this case. Feel free to comment. Is Jeremy Mayfield innocent or guilty? What part has NASCAR played in Mayfield's troubles?

Related articles

• Jeremy Mayfield Hits New Low, House Foreclosed Auctioned Off
• Former NASCAR Racer Jeremy Mayfield Free On Bond
• Crash and Burn: NASCAR Lawsuit Barred by Indemnity Agreement

Still complaining? Give me a break Jimmy Johnson!

RYAN NEWMAN AT TEXAS
 (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

I couldn't believe Jimmy Johnson's initial response after the Texas race when he complained that Ryan Newman raced him too hard. It is even more amazing that almost a week later, Johnson is still in a snit about it.

Get over yourself Jimmy.

You didn't win because you made mistakes. Not only that, Greg Biffle, who actually won the race, was better than you. Newman raced him hard too, but he isn't crying about it!

You wanna be a champion again, act like one, Jimmy.

NASCAR drivers are said to be among the finest drivers in the world. So why is one of them being criticized for doing his job?

Must Jimmy Johnson and his fans be reminded that Newman won the race at Martinsville after being a lap down. Newman is the Bill Clinton of racing; he is a real comeback kid. It is not inconceivable that given the right circumstances, Newman could have ended up with a top-5 or top-10 finish. With 20 laps to go, anything can happen, and often does. With the surprise endings to races, often times with unlikely winners, numerous late-race cautions, and a performance-sensitive points system, every lap, every position is vital.

While it is true that Newman battled an unwieldy race car, throughout the race, it is his job to race. It is in his DNA to race hard every single lap. He should be praised for his fortitude, not criticized.

On a really sad note, I actually read one news item that said Tony Stewart, Ryan's boss and team mate, was in a tenable position because Jimmy Johnson has such a good relationship with Rick Hendrick. Hendrick supplies engines and parts for Stewart-Haas Racing. I couldn't believe my eyes when the writer suggested that Stewart would throw Newman under the bus to keep Hendrick happy. He questioned whether Ryan's job could be in jeopardy because of this incident. All I can say is, what a stretch! What an irresponsible piece of work!

Two stereotypical forces come together at the White House

It was nice to see the top 12 NASCAR drivers hangin' at the White House. 

Both NASCAR and President Barack Obama have something in common. Both are misunderstood because of groundless, long held stereotypes. 

There is no question that President Obama has been viewed by some as a polarizing force, though not by his own deeds. Often times, President Obama is being judged by a perception of him--manifested by systemic racism and bigotry--as the first African-American to serve in the nation's highest office. He has undergone scrutiny from members of the black and white communities, progressive and conservative political bases, as well as by members of his own party.

NASCAR has suffered some of the same kinds of stereotypical misconceptions. There are some who believe NASCAR isn't even a sport. While admittedly racing around a track does not involve a ball or stick like baseball or football its players are athletes just the same. NASCAR can stack up with any nine-innings on a diamond or four quarters on the gridiron. It takes physical endurance to drive 500 white-knuckle miles on a short track, for instance. It is not an easy feat to change four tires, fill a car with gas, and make chassis adjustments in under 13 seconds, which is a typical pit stop. Yet, NASCAR critics claim the sport is nothing more than a bunch of rednecks  making left turns. They have obviously never watched a race! 

It is ironic that NASCAR and President Obama should be victims of stereotypes, albeit on opposite sides. 

The crowd that supports Obama likely consists of the same folks who know nothing about NASCAR, its drivers, crews, teams, or the rich history rooted in American ingenuity. 

Likewise, supporters of NASCAR, many of whom hail from the southern states, include tea party patriots who despise this president for no better reason than their own misguided sense of self-prescribed morality. An intelligent black man is just not in their level of understanding or tolerance. 

I happen to fall on the side that supports both my president and my favorite sport. I love NASCAR. I  voted for President Obama and plan to vote for him again. 

For me, it was a pleasure to see President Obama greet Tony Stewart and the other eleven of NASCAR's best drivers, on the south lawn of the White House Tuesday. While supporters of each may think these two have as little in common as the two sides of the aisle in Congress, that is not necessarily the case. They don't have to be the odd couple. In fact, perhaps we have witnessed history here. 

It was nice of the President to reach out to NASCAR just as it was when the First Lady attended last year's race at Homestead.

I challenge supporters of both President Barack Obama and NASCAR to reach beyond your own limitations. Consider that President Obama and Tony Stewart are symbolic of a country that is in dire need of coming together again; to reunite the United States of America.