why did the nascar official grab jimmie johnsons tire that was going to roll away?

Question

it was only a two tire stop and both tires starting rolling away the crew member caught one and the official in the next pit stopped the tire i thought they were supposed to let it go then penalize the team for that....which he would not have over come again..

Answer 1

The argument given in defense of the NASCAR official is that they are required to take action, if possible, to prevent possible safety violations that could cause accidents or injuries to other drivers, crew members, etc.



So, since a tire rolling across pit row poses a safety threat, the NASCAR official was following the rules in stopping it. I do think, however, Johnson could have been assessed a penalty -- this was at NASCAR's discretion, but since the tire clearly would have kept rolling (the crew member whose job was to stop it had tripped and fell), I don't see how Johnson escaped penalty. It's poor judgment calls and an unwritten rule book that keep getting NASCAR in trouble.



My personal opinion: Yes, the official should have stopped the tire and, yes, JJ should have served another pass-through penalty. If NASCAR wants to avoid charges of favoritism, they better either publish a rulebook or show some consistency in their penalties.

Answer 2

This is what Jeff Hammond from FOX sports said



Jeff Hammond/FoxSports: A NASCAR official is there to referee and give assistance in the spirit of safety. For example, a tire crossing pit road is not in the best interest of NASCAR or anybody on pit road if an official can knock it down. What I believed and perceived at the time was the official saw the crew member trip and inadvertently release the tire while making an effort to carry the tire over pit wall. When the No. 48 team was penalized during the fifth caution, nobody on the team made an effort to catch the tire, and a NASCAR official wasn't close to it. In that first instance, the car clearly had left the pit before they had gotten control of it. It's a judgment call, and it's easy for us to go back because we have instant replay. The officials on pit road do not have replays, and the officials in the tower are reluctant to make calls based off of replays if they aren't able to see the entire circumstance. While some people may think the #48 team got by with one, I have a hard time criticizing what happened because we do not need that tire on pit road. NASCAR officials aren't biased, and they have saved more than just Jimmie Johnson's tires from rolling onto pit road. The officials are there to promote safety as much as anything else. If they can intervene and prevent something from happening, they won't worry about penalties or any other kinds of ramifications after the fact.(3-13-2007)

Answer 3

That particular official, in my opinion, did the right thing. That official caught the tire because no-one else could. That tire could have rolled anywhere and caused trouble. He didn't run after it, it kind of came to him. The crew in the pit ahead of him weren't paying attention either, 'cause no-one ran after if from there. The officials are there for a reason. To insure safety & try to prevent happenstance.

In another light, I saw an official in the same race, standing at the rear of the car, looking the other way, into the pit behind from the driver they were supposed to be watching - but nobody pitted & he wasn't watching "his" car. That's the official I would penalize.





I agree with most everyone before me.

Answer 4

Out of common sense. He grabbed the tire, as they often do, to avoid a potentially dangerous situation. Another car on pit road could have hit the tire which may have injured a crew member or official. The officials have NEVER been told to make the races less safe. The goal is for everyone to go home after the weekend not to the hospital.

Answer 5

According to Jeff Hammond, officials do that all the time. I don't know about you, but I've never seen it. He explained that the officials are there for safety as well as to watch for infractions, but the official could have done BOTH!!



1. See the tire getting away

2. Stop the tire (so no one else hits it)

3. Penalize them for letting the tire get away in the first place!!



Basically he said "no harm no foul" but what if that official had it in for J. Johnson? He could have decided NOT to catch the tire and then penalize him. Either it got away or it didn't. If the TEAM doesn't keep the tire in the box then it shouldn't count and should be penalized.

Answer 6

Not sure about this but I also think that the driver can not pull away from his pit-box until all tires are within his box. So you'll sometimes see a penalty if there is a tire still rolling around out side the box but if the driver waits for the retrieval he is then free to go.



Please correct me if I'm wrong but this seems to be the only explanation I can think of for why some driver's are penalized and some are not when tires are rolling around.

Answer 7

The same question has been asked, but the NASCAR Official has an obligation to prevent a possible accident. He did not run after the tire. It is their discretion. The Officials have done it many times for other teams. It is not at all uncommon. The focus is more on Jimmie Johnson because he won the race. I am willing to bet it wasn't the only time it happened Sunday. And off subject, how do people get the thumbs up and down on their posts? The buttons are gray and not able to click on them. Is this for the person asking the question? Thanks.

Answer 8

I thought that the officials could not touch the equipment unless a life was in danger.As to why the official stopped the tire I have no idea why.But you see he did not get a penalty.

On one of the race recapshows Sunday night said the official stopped it because the tire carrier "tripped" and thought it was a safty issue?

That's all I can say about that.

Answer 9

All of the above answers are VERY good. I agree with all. The officials are not there to make situations UNSAFE. They have grabbed tires and have assisted a lot of pit crew members in the past. They do not give any one team an advantage,but help all...........................................

Answer 10

Fishing are we? Sounds like someone is a Johnson hater.



They do it all the time for all teams. Go back and watch some tape and you will see them helping out countless race teams.



Besides, if he let it go and it took out your drivers chances to win you would have been pissed off asking why he didn't grab the tire!

Answer 11

This was not just because he is a hot driver. If you watch a lot of Cup races, depending on the official, you will see a good number of them do the same for other drivers.

Answer 12

Nascar will do whatever it take for Jimmie Johnson or Jeff Gordan to help them win......Do you see the cautions for debris on the track when the cry babies need a caution, Yes they should fire the official for getting caught.....

Answer 13

YOURMOM is right,I watched inside nextel cup last night and the consensus among the drivers was that it is common practice.I guess I got grumpy for no reason,now I know better for next time.

Answer 14

Because Nascar likes to kiss up to him, Gordo and Jr! Anything so he can win! Why can't they give Casey the breaks instead?

Answer 15

To stop it from causing an accident.

Answer 16

so it wouldnt hit another car and bounce and hit someone else and it was going right toward him and yes he should of been penalized

Answer 17

Sheer Pity. actually, I think it was safety motivated.

Answer 18

You're looking for something that's not there.