Drivers told to zip lips - NASCAR president Mike Helton says complaining is unfair to fans, who face costly gas, tough economy

(quote)

NASCAR is tired of hearing the negative message some of the stock car sport's driving stars have been sending to fans lately. Too many complaints about the new-generation car, bumpy racetracks and numerous other things, and not enough positive reinforcement for fans.

NASCAR president Mike Helton held a "mandatory" meeting yesterday morning for drivers and the team owners at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn. Things apparently reached a critical mass last week at Pocono, where it appeared nobody was happy about the rough track or the so-called Car of Tomorrow that is still being developed or the intense heat that had many drivers near exhaustion after a Pocono 500 that most believe shouldn't be longer than 400 miles.

"He wanted to remind our drivers about their responsibility to the fans," NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter said. "He felt it has become a negative environment and reminded them to think about the fans, what they are facing, the rising cost of gas and the hardships, particularly in an area like this that has been hit so hard."

The drivers generally reacted positively to Helton's message. "I think it just got a little out of hand this week, everybody complaining so much about everything," said Carl Edwards, the defending winner of tomorrow's LifeLock 400.

(unquote)

Photos Courtesy of Mark Avery, John Bazemore, and Jae C. Hong / AP

Original Source: The Baltimore Sun