Don't expect Terry and Dale repeat

The last lap 'bump and go' by Earnhardt that sent Labonte's car into a spin and taking other cars along with him, has been the focus of heated debate and exchanges this past week.

Yesterday, Mike Helton, NASCAR's chief operating officer, said that the sanctioning body is 'convinced that the drivers would prefer to race and not be afraid in attempting to pass someone and have an accident occur and then face a penalty from (the contact).

'NASCAR is all about fender-to-fender and door-to-door racing. That plays a big role in our judgement calls.

'We agree that they should be able to race,' Helton continued, 'and not pay a penalty for that.'

What happened at Bristol last weekend was contact on the last lap, resulting in a deafening chorus of loud 'boos' from most of the fans that echoed around the stands inside the bowl-shaped track.

Earnhardt's expression clearly showed his surprise at the reaction.

Helton further explained that when 'it comes to the role NASCAR has in policing the races on the track, it's a collection of judgement calls we make as the race unfolds' and these calls are made by humans.

'We are not arrogant enough to think that our opinions or judgment calls are going to be universally accepted (however) we make them as solidly as we can make them.'

With respect to the two-lap penalty imposed on Jerry Nadeau for making contact with current Series points leader Dale Jarrett, which caused Jarrett to spend over 150 laps in the garage for repairs, Helton said, 'In NASCAR's opinion, there were distinct differences.'

'NASCAR feels that the wreck between Nadeau and Jarrett could have and probably should have been avoided. It was not a racing accident, it was not racing for position. The accident should have been prevented and therefore we reacted.'

Helton's words drew comments from the two drivers involved last weekend.

'I have a lot of respect for Terry,' said Earnhardt, 'We've got along good all the years we've raced together.'

Earnhardt said he has not yet had an opportunity to speak privately with Labonte as 'he's been busy and I've been busy. I don't want to make a big deal out of it with everybody around.'

Labonte said he was he hasn't spoken to Earnhardt, but was 'sure before the weekend is over we'll run into each other.'

An interesting choice of words, Terry.