So Kurt Busch got mad about his racecar at Martinsville and called Roger Penske “dude” on the radio.  Who cares?  Sometimes that kind of stuff happens on the radio.  And you know what?  It’s perfectly, 100% okay that it does.

By allowing the fans, media, and others to listen to the radio traffic during the race, we are letting you behind the scenes.  And sometimes things get heated and stuff is said.  But allowing you to listen and be a part of the action doesn’t mean you are allowed to judge.

NASCAR is the only sport on the planet that allows fans this kind of access during competition.  You certainly don’t get to hear what happens on the field, in the huddle, in the dugout, or courtside for any other sport.  And NASCAR isn’t any different then these sports.  While the game is gong on, things will get crazy, people will use foul language, and arguments will occur.  But you don’t see Shaq or Ray Lewis getting in trouble for what they say on the field or on the court.  So why should NASCAR people catch flak?

During a race a while back, our driver was running towards the front and a caution came out.  We were pitting with the leaders, but in order to gain some track position we were going to take two tires.  I got done on the right side, and expected the car to leave but it didn’t.  As I came around to the left, I saw the other changer had already knocked all five lugnuts off the left side tire.  He then had to pick them all up and put them all back on.  Surprisingly, the driver remained calm about the whole situation, but the crew chief didn’t.  He had choice words over the radio for both the changer and our pit crew coach.  And after he got done yelling on the radio, he continued hollering at all of us as a pit crew from the top of the pit box.

I’m sure anyone listening at the time probably had to turn their radio down, but it was a perfect example of a heat-of-the-moment situation.  The crew chief was angry, and he was going to let us know.

We’ve seen in the past where crew members and drivers have been fined for using “select” language over team radios that just happened to be played on live television.  I think that is absolutely ridiculous.  If anybody should be fined, it’s the TV network.  They were the ones that were dumb enough to play radio transmissions on live television.

After the little exchange at Martinsville, Busch came out and said he thought that team communication should be made private because of moments like this.  I certainly don’t agree.  Being able to listen in on a team’s radio chatter is part of the experience of going to a race.

But…

…The only kicker is, if you are going to listen, be prepared to hear stuff that may make your mamma blush.  By putting on those headphones, you should automatically be agreeing to a little contract.  We will allow you to listen, but you in turn give up any right to judge, punish, or look down on what is said and who says it.

Sometimes during a race, things get intense and people get emotional.  And since the radio is the place where team communcation happens, sometimes you will hear bad language, arguments, and anger.  If you can’t handle that, then don’t listen.