Nascar Refunds Fines

Originally Posted on Foxsports.com on April 12, 2006

Nascar typically fines teams and individuals who violate its rulebook.  Those fines are collected in a fund.  At the end of the year, the top 25 teams receive  portions of this fund based on where they finish. 

In other words, Jeff Gordon will more than likely get back  the $10,000 fine he paid for his Bristol Brawl with Matt Kenseth.  Never fear, Kenseth will probably get a slice of the pie too.  

Marty Smith at Nascar.com thinks this is outrageous (as do I).  He believes the money should go to charity or to an injured driver fund.  Both are excellent ideas.

The drivers are already generous with their money - many of the drivers have their own foundations or raise money for other charitable organizations.   Nascar started its own foundation this year, as a funnel for money to other organizations. But why not take the money raised from penalties and give it to someone in need, instead of back to the teams at the end of the year.

The injured drivers fund would be available to those drivers who are seriously injured while racing.  Ernie Irvin, Jerry Nadeau and Steve Park are examples who come to mind.  Obviously, no one wants to use the money in this fashion - we all hope no one ever gets hurt.  And I think most people would be fine if it was never touched because no one is that badly injured.  The realities are that we will need it, and probably in the near future.

Another idea would be to start a drivers' pension plan.  Bobby Allison has attempted to get a drivers' pension started for years.  His primary motivation is the  injuries he got  racing, which forced his retirement.  He has indicated that his medical bills nearly bankrupted him.

Nascar (and the teams) have balked at starting a pension.  As the drivers are considered independent contractors, they are responsible for their own retirement plans.  Given the amounts most drivers generate in contracts, sponsorship deals, etc., it seems logical that they could finance their own retirement.  However, there will be drivers who are injured who use up more than they anticipated, leaving them living on the brink of financial ruin.  It would be nice to have a safety plan for those drivers to fall back on.  (I for one do not want to go visit my favorite retired driver who is having to sell his trophys, autograph or race memorabilia to feed his family).

What remains is this:  If Nascar is going to bother to fine teams, then it needs to stop refunding the money at the end of the year.  There are good things that can be done with it - to the benefit of the sport, competitors, or charities.