WRG suspension confusion
Nothing like starting your 30 day suspension on day 19. That’s what just happened to Chris Madden. He failed the tire test following the 2017 World 100 at Eldora Speedway.
Related: Madden fails tire test at Eldora Speedway
It’s hard to make sense out of it. I’ll explain…
What did he do?
Well, WRG gives us this information. “Chemical alterations, vulcanizing, tire softening, defacing and/or altering the face of the tire lettering and/or tire stamping will not be permitted.”
Agains, what did he do? it could have been any one of those items. Vague announcement.
Suspension date?
His suspension was announced today. However, it started on September 10th. Since that date, Madden ran World of Outlaws Late Model shows at Lakeside Speedway on September 22nd, Salina Highbanks Speedway on September 23rd and 81 Speedway on September 24th.
He finished 4th at Lakeside, 4th at Salina and 8th at 81. Technically, he ran these races during his suspension date. Does that mean he will be disqualified from those events as well? Unsure, because it’s not clear in the announcement.
This isn’t a change. Last year, when 5 drivers were suspended their suspension date started the day after the Dream. When it was announced, they were already 10 days into their 90 day suspension.
But, why does it happen like that? Shouldn’t a suspension start on the day of it’s announcement. Or maybe just call it like it really is, an 11 day suspension.
Related: Five Eldora Dream drivers disqualified (2016)
Suspension length reduced?
That is a change. This suspension for Chris Madden is 1 month in duration. Has World Racing Group reduced the length of driver suspensions? I guess so.
Last year at the Eldora Dream, 5 drivers were suspended for tire test failures. They were each suspended for 3 months. They took it upon themselves to boycott for much longer than 3 months. This time around, it’s the same failed test, yet it’s only a month suspension.
What does the 2017 rulebook state? “A minimum suspension up to six (6) months in duration.” for tire altercations. Pointing out the obvious, 10 days is not six months.
But, the above line from the rulebook doesn’t make sense anyway. A minimum suspension “up to” six months? Does that means 6 months is the minimum? Does that mean the minimum is whatever you say and 6 months is actually the maximum of the minimum suspension? The line makes no sense, at all.
Chris Madden is 2nd in World of Outlaws points. The Next WoOLMS show is scheduled for October 13-14th at The Dirt Oval at Route 66. Chris Madden’s suspension is due to expire 3 days before that show. Well, that sure is an interesting timeline.
Madden is scheduled to run Dixie Speedway and Rome Speedway over the weekend. Those are both Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series shows, where his suspension doesn’t apply.
It’s a reduction in suspension duration compared to the same infraction for last year. Due to that, Chris Madden will not miss any races during his suspension. In other words, it’s a completely null suspension. I’m fairly sure that I’ll be the only one to point that out.
But, after all, that’s a good thing. Suspensions are horrible for the sport anyway.
Author: Shane Walters
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