A FOX Insta-poll during Sunday�s race had 57% agreeing with the decision. A similar poll on Thatsracin.com had 42% agreeing, with another 16% selecting �what took so long�, which I would take as a yes. The remaining 42% selected �why suspend someone for a Cup race for what happened in another series�. In other words that poll went 58-42 (similar to the FOX poll) in favor of the suspension.

The problem was Harvick didn�t get busted for what he did on Saturday. It�s for what he�s done on a near weekly basis for nearly a year ago now. I�ll go back to his bush-league tactics last June at Sears Point when he literally got in Robby Gordon�s way (now a teammate) in the name of not going a lap down late in a race, allowing Tony Stewart to steal a win. Harvick�s antics have been all downhill from there. Take this quote this weekend from Ward Burton, a driver who normally minds his own business and doesn�t say much: "He's lost the respect of a lot of people just from his childish behavior. I'm not going to sit here and say I'm perfect by any means and that I haven't made mistakes and I haven't lost my temper, but hell, he loses his every week." Other Cup drivers have been move blunt, as one said late last year, �Harvick is trying to hard to be like Earnhardt (Sr.) when right now he couldn�t be a burr on his butt�.

And lets late a look at Harvick�s predecessor. In a 20+ year career, Earnhardt banged around other drivers, and Earnhardt pissed off a lot a drivers. There was a memorable last-lap wreck in North Wilksboro late in 1990 that eliminated Dale and 2nd place driver Ricky Rudd, and also ruined Dale�s season championship hope. In the aftermath a near brawl erupted on pit road highlighted with Earnhardt pit-crew member Chocolate Meyers pointing fingers in the faces of Rudd crewmen (Larry McReynolds was Rudd�s crew chief at the time). On the post-race interview Dale was asked what happened on the last lap. Dale replied (uncensored), �What the fuck do you think happened???� Dale drops a couple more F-bombs and then is asked what this does to his hopes of winning the points championship. �What the fuck do you think it does to the points championship???� There was another occasion when Dale wrecked in Turn 3 on the last lap in Talladega (eerily similar to February 18, 2001) and Jerry Punch was trying to get a few words with the legend. �Watch the video�� would be Dale�s only reply when asked if he thought anyone got out of line trying to pass. Say this about the Intimidator, he chose his words very carefully.

Yes, Dale Sr.�s responses in situations such as those were often PG-13 rated. And such is the case with the majority of the three dozen or so drivers currently with solid Cup rides, they throw from time to time. Obviously one is not going to be happy after crashing at speeds of 100-180 mph, it tears up a racecar, ruins a potentially good day, and has the potential of harming a driver�s livelihood. We hear drivers vent on the post-crash interviews, we hear them vent on the radio frequencies after an incident, and we see them ram into competitors during a caution lap for whatever reason. We might see Rusty Wallace and Ricky Rudd vent on each other and grab each other by the suits in the garage area, until the officials get in the way and say �that�s enough�. We see the occasional driver throw a helmet at a competitor passing by after a crash, and every once in a while we get fisticuffs or even someone throwing a right hook into Lake Speed�s window after a race. And these incidents are not confined to stock car racing. It happens in CART, it happens in IRL, and it happens in F-1. It is not just a "redneck thing"

But 95% of the time drivers do not go completely off the handle, not to mention on a weekly basis.. Venting off steam on TV is fine, saying Jimmy Spencer is a jerk is within the limits, as long as they follow with the traditional �but that�s just racing though�. If it gets to a heated exchange on a cool-down lap or in the garage, the drivers always iron out their differences. And when a driver does cross the line and commit a wrong, they admit it, pay the fine, and go one with life. Some say that NASCAR throwing the book at Harvick is hypocritical, after all it was the infamous Cale Yarbourough-Bobby Allison fight on the infield in Daytona in 1979 (the first live flag-to-flag coverage of a race) that really put the sport on the map for the first time. But understand, that was something truly spur-of-the-moment. Two competitors bang-it-out on the backstretch and wreck each other of a chance of being 1-2 in the sports most prestigious event. Tempers getting out of line is surely understandable. I imagine there were apologies and fines afterwards, and it wasn�t like Cale went after rivals every time after he wrecked, as Harvick seemingly does. And I don�t think Cale ever said he was going to get someone after the race, and then do so in WWF fashion even after having a half-hour to cool down.

The bottom line now is this. Harvick has in twelve months gone from a rookie phenom handed a great opportunity following in the footsteps of a legend to one who�s career may already be at a crossroads. There is clearly no driver whose stock has dropped as quickly and as dramatically in just the first two months of the season. Harvick may have started out fine with his WWDD (What Would Dale Do???) platform, but instead of being like �the Intimidator� quickly turned into �the Instigator� in the eyes of the NASCAR world. For the foreseeable future Harvick best be sure to not even blow his nose in the direction of a Cup official, never mind get under the fender of a competitor. Harvick�s fantasy stock takes another hit as well for he will not be able to get away with nearly as much as other drivers. And you have to wonder how much more the RCR camp is going to take of this as well, as their operation is suddenly dropping to Petty Enterprise levels with the subpar on-track performances of Harvick, Jeff Green, and Robby Gordon. RCR can always find someone else to drive the Goodwrench car. They survived the trauma of having to replace Earnhardt, they can always throw eight figures at his son to take it over and put the #3 back on it.

Meanwhile, it is suggested that Harvick quick take the �be a gentleman like Dale Jarrett� course. Either that or spend the next off-week in Central Wisconsin learning to be low-key like Matt Kenseth.

MARTINSVILLE RECAP

We reach the quarter-pole this weekend. For those of you who don�t like seeing drivers slam on the brakes a thousand times (literally) during an event, or to see Jimmy Spencer personally knock half of your roster out, you�re in luck this week as we pull the restrictor plates out for the Aaron�s 499. If recent history is any indication, we will see Jimmy out of the event early, and telling the TV audience that he isn�t shook up about taking a 43rd cause �this ain�t racin�. Jimmy likes banging the fenders of a couple of guys but wants no part in being involved in �the Big One� which could put a dent in his 235 lb boiler. We also have the potential of some �plate specialists� jumping into the fray. Currently there are no changes to the rules package used in Daytona, though a quarter inch of spoiler will be put back on the Fords. Advantage for the most part goes to the Chevy�s and Dodge�s, though Gibbs Pontiac�s and Rosch�s Fords will be heard from as well. And you know it�s going to be one drunk, obnoxious party, because it�s in Alabama � enough said (and if you don�t believe me just ask Tony Stewart.). By the way, if you can find a tape of the Fall �00 or �01 races, take a look at them, they were classics. The list of contenders is as follows�

BEST BETS

Dale Earnhardt Jr. � Don�t get too turned off by his early crapout in Daytona, just remember the two plate victories he closed out �01 with.

Sterling Marlin - Dodge plus recent plate success (Had the Daytona 500 in his hip pocket) should spell a huge day for the #40 car.

Tony Stewart � Forget the third lap engine blowout in February. Tony make not be popular with the fans here, but did get a pair of seconds in �01. Must have this week.

Bobby LaBonte � Gibbs� boys should make for a good tag-team. Three top fives and a win in the last four Spring races. Also was a factor all day last fall until going way high in an ill-advised move on the last lap, triggering The Big One.

Bobby Hamilton � A first and a fifth last year, gets mentioned with the big boys this week.

Mark Martin � Shhhhh� Don�t tell anyone. Qualified fifth and finished fourth in the Spring. Qualified 14th and finished ninth in the fall. Currently third in points � but it's our secret.

Jeff Gordon � Someone suggested last weekend that Brooke must be using the voodoo magic to great success since last October. I do sour a little on the #24 in the plate races for cap games or using one of your nine lives on him for Yahoo. But if stuck with him on your roster you could do worse as he netted a second and seventh here last year.

Jimmie Johnson � The rookie sensation of Speedweek before crapping out in the Daytona 500 itself.

GOOD BETS

Ward Burton � Daytona 500 champ not as successful here (33rd/21st) in �01, but still a nice plate guy.

Matt Kenseth � Not a great plate driver but finished fourth in the Fall plus Rosch is a hot team right now.

Michael Waltrip � His Daytona heroics did not translate well here (28th/37th), but was a factor for a good portion of the Fall race.

Kurt Busch � Third in the Spring �01 race. Has also mixed it up and not backed down to the likes of Jeff Gordon (�02 Daytona) and Dale Sr. (�01 Daytona). Another Rosch entry to reckon with.

Jeff Burton � And to complete the Rosch cycle � 11th and 3rd last year.

Ryan Newman - The man can't blow an engine every week, can he???

SHAKY BETS

Kevin Harvick � The #3 car scored three wins and a third in his last four outings here. But we should know by now that Dale Sr. success does not automatically translate over to Harvick. Did manage a 12th in last years Spring race. Downside is he will be forced to be more conservative than Bill O�Reilly, not to mention a rough move would spell a trip to the trailer (and lengthy suspension).

Jimmy Spencer � For all the smack I throw against him, there is support for the #41 doing well this weekend. Spencer actually netted a couple of top-fives in �98 as well as a top-five in �00. One of his two career victories also comes here (1994). And although he might not be aware he�s driving one, Dodge should be the hot make come Sunday, and could very well form a good tag-team with Sterling Marlin.

Matt Kenseth - Many have feasted off Matt in recent weeks, but doesn't seem able to run with the big dogs on the plate track, and will have that extra quarter-inch to deal with. A good play would be to shy away from the #17 this week but go back to him with confidence in California.

Dale Jarrett/Ricky Rudd � Proved they�re still to be reckoned with at Martinsville. Still don�t like Yates prospects on the big tracks though, and Rudd is even on record saying he just wants to get through the plate race, 'and go to the next one on the schedule'.

BOLD PICKS

Kenny Schrader - The #36 ran up front for much of Daytona Speedweek, don't be suprised if he's in the mix.

Geoff Bodine � In what would had been one of the sport�s all-time great stories, the #09 came within a whisker of winning the Daytona 500 before setting for a third. Good selection if you want to go off the board � the downside is he won�t have the provisional cushion in qualifying. And another word of warning, should the #09 make an early trip to the garage, the team won't have the motivation to get back out for points.

Mike Wallace � Another part-timer worth a look. Managed a ninth in the Spring (#7 car) and an 18th in the fall (#12 car). Also, the #33 car he will be driving got an eighth with Joe Nemechek last fall. Let�s just hope he doesn�t stall on the parade lap again with his APR leftover junker.

After 188 circuits, and barring The Big One, look for White Knuckle Sunday to wind up as follows�

1. Dale Jr., 2. Stewart, 3. LaBonte, 4. Marlin, 5. Hamilton, 6. W. Burton, 7. Martin, 8. Kenseth, 9. Busch, 10. Waltrip

NASCARODDS sees it like this...Stewart 3-1, Dale Jr. 4-1, Gordon 9-2, Martin 5-1, B. LaBonte 6-1, Marlin 7-1, Hamilton 8-1, T. LaBonte 9-1, Jarrett 10-1, Spencer 11-1, Rudd 12-1, R. Wallace 13-1, Elliott 14-1, W. Burton 15-1, J. Burton 16-1, Kenseth 17-1, Busch 18-1, Waltrip 19-1, Sadler 20-1, Harvick 22-1, M. Wallace 24-1, G. Bodine 26-1, Newman 28-1, Johnson 30-1, Benson 32-1, Skinner 34-1, Craven 36-1, Nadeau 38-1, Schrader 40-1, Mayfield 42-1, Park 44-1, J. Green 46-1, R. Gordon 48-1, Andretti 50-1, Blaney 55-1, B. Bodine 60-1, Petty 65-1, Compton 70-1, Atwood 75-1, Buckshot 80-1, Stricklin 85-1, Mast 90-1

OTHER TRACK NEWS

On the undercard of the Kevin Harvick saga was a pissing match between Texas Motor Speedway and Martinsville Speedway. Hoping that the squeaky wheel eventually gets the grease, TMS is still screaming for a second annual date, and has suggested that they take one of Martinsville�s dates, arguing that the Virginia short-track facility is too antiquated in today�s big-time racing world. The president at Martinsville immediately returned volley, suggesting that they have had less problems staging races twice annually for 50 years than TMS has had staging one race for six. Martinsville also played up their track as a historic Fenway Park/Wrigley Field/Lambeau Field like facility (a title I actually give to Darlington).

My take on the subject is as follows. Taking one Cup race a year from Martinsville in favor for an additional Texas race would not be horrible. On the other hand, I think six short track events a year is still a good number, and wouldn�t go any lower their. And there are also new tracks in Nashville and Kentucky that would make great Cup venues. My solution would be this. Take away one of Loudon�s two races (a one-mile flat oval that doesn�t do much for anyone) and take Phoenix�s late-season race away (since there are now two races in California and one in Vegas) and replace it with a second Texas date and a date for either Nashville or Kentucky. And then perhaps take away a date from Martinsville and then give dates for both Nashville and Kentucky. So I guess I have now pissed people off in Martinsville, New England, and Phoenix. No one will ever be happy, and 36 races as is the case now is just too much.

Also the format for the Winston (NASCAR's all-star race) were announced last week. I understand my idea of having Shawna Robinson sit on the pole for the last segment was narrowly defeated. But this will be near as crazy. The 26 drivers starting the feature (final two births to be determined in a preliminary race) race 40 laps, with a mandatory green flag stop thrown in. The top 20 drivers advance to the next segment, which will be 30 laps. The top ten drivers from that advance to the final ten lap segment. The final gimmick will have fans on-line vote for having either four, six, eight, or all ten cars inverted for the final segment. Of course the fans will vote for all ten, so finishing seventh or eighth in the second segment would probably be the right strategy, run strong enough to ensure advancing, but far enough bad to be near the front for the finals. The 40/30/20 format will also be a change from previous years, which were 30/30/10. Should be a blast.

ANDY HOUSTON AWARD

Speaking of antiquated, is Dave Marcis� #71 team even ASA caliber at this point??? Field-filler Andy Hillenburg (and Mike Joy referred to him as that) made it a perfect two-for-two on the season as he pulled into the pits after two laps and retired after just nine circuits (about three minutes worth of racing) with what was officially listed as a clutch problem. Real reason was probably getting an early jump out of town before the team was embarrased any more.