Speed Racer
aka "mach5driver"
By MIKE HARRIS
The Associated Press
In the wake of a series of post-race clashes that included Jimmy Spencer punching Kurt Busch in the face and Kevin Harvick standing on the roof of his car berating Ricky Rudd, NASCAR has used fines, suspensions and probation as a deterrent.
But driver Ken Schrader says it's the competitors themselves who have to control their tempers and remember that people young and old are watching and reacting to their behavior.
"We do have a responsibility," he said. "I mean, we look at ourselves as plain old everyday folks, but there are others who watch what we do pretty closely."
Some drivers, defending Winston Cup champion Tony Stewart among them, have said they don't consider themselves anybody's role model.
But Schrader believes drivers don't have much of a choice.
"Asking if a NASCAR driver wants to be a role model is like asking a Dodge if it wants to be a car," he said. "The question is, what kind of role model are you going to be? You are either going to be someone people, especially kids, can look up to, or you are going to be someone their parents like to point at and say, 'Don't be like him!' "
The Associated Press
In the wake of a series of post-race clashes that included Jimmy Spencer punching Kurt Busch in the face and Kevin Harvick standing on the roof of his car berating Ricky Rudd, NASCAR has used fines, suspensions and probation as a deterrent.
But driver Ken Schrader says it's the competitors themselves who have to control their tempers and remember that people young and old are watching and reacting to their behavior.
"We do have a responsibility," he said. "I mean, we look at ourselves as plain old everyday folks, but there are others who watch what we do pretty closely."
Some drivers, defending Winston Cup champion Tony Stewart among them, have said they don't consider themselves anybody's role model.
But Schrader believes drivers don't have much of a choice.
"Asking if a NASCAR driver wants to be a role model is like asking a Dodge if it wants to be a car," he said. "The question is, what kind of role model are you going to be? You are either going to be someone people, especially kids, can look up to, or you are going to be someone their parents like to point at and say, 'Don't be like him!' "
