NASCAR can't escape fan criticism

A smile creases Mike Helton's normally stoic face as he's asked what fans think is wrong with NASCAR.

The president of America's new rage sport has heard it all before, and when he steps out of his hauler this weekend at the Brickyard 400, some of the spectators with garage passes will be waiting for autographs -- and a chance to express their opinions.

Why can't NASCAR be consistent in enforcement of the rules? When are they going to fix the track in New Hampshire? What is NASCAR going to do about the problems with restrictor plates?

"We get a lot of mail on all types of topics, and on occasion a thought or an idea makes a lot of sense," he said. "There's obviously an emotionally driven fan connection, but that's not too bad."

Each week, NASCAR or its track partners are criticized or praised by hundreds of fans in trade publications. Helton gets upset by the negative comments but accepts them as a sign of the passion of the sport's fans.

Water-cooler talk

"We are part of a lifestyle, and conversation at the coffee shop, the water cooler or the dinner table, that's what we want to be," he said. "The fans are attached to our sport, and that's why we pay so much attention to the letters to the editor and the letters we get."

Not far away this day at Pocono Raceway, fans wait for autographs from their favorite drivers and talk about NASCAR.

"Everything NASCAR does is wrong," said George Margolies of Cleveland. "I can't wait for the next race."

Neither can William Sheridan of Richmond, Va., whose favorite moment each race day is listening to the booing of Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart at the driver introductions.

"Where can you have this much fun?" he asked. "But I confess I got Gordon's autograph for somebody else's kid."

Helton is aware that skeptical fans have suggested for years that some of the most emotional NASCAR victories appear too good to be true, implying that some of the races might be predetermined.

Helton, of course, thinks that's ridiculous, but still doesn't mind the scrutiny.

"We go to Miami for the last race of the year and have 10 guys who can win the championship," he said. "It comes down to the last turn on the last lap and no one knows until they cross the finish line."

That would leave the fan from Cleveland three months to complain -- before strapping himself into his pickup truck and heading for Daytona.