Cross' Words: Kansas

Couple things come to mind when looking back at the cluster that was Kansas:

• NASCAR made the right decision in not levying a fine -- points or money -- against Tony Stewart for the four-letter word that was picked up by ESPN's cameras.

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According to The Associated Press, Smoke was talking to Robby Gordon on pit road following practice on Saturday when he was approached by an ESPN cameraman. Unaware the camera was live, Stewart said: "What? Get ... away from me," with an obscenity underlining his remark.

Series officials spent Sunday reviewing the footage to determine if Stewart should be penalized. After talking with ESPN officials, Stewart and his Joe Gibbs Racing team, NASCAR decided not to punish him.

Yeah, it's cool to have natural sound to go along with the pictures you're broadcasting, but the lesson here is that people say things that should not be broadcast. Drivers are people -- and they will say things that lil' Johnny shouldn't hear at 6 years old. Or even ol' Bobby at 40.

Either way, when radio and television folks walk around with live mics they are going to get the unvarnished dialogue. Often times that is not for broadcast. Do you want a live mic at your work place? Not me; I've been in newsrooms for almost 20 years and what's said in there would make a driver blush.

Drivers deserve the same courtesy; they're working -- even if that job is for the entertainment of millions.

• NASCAR is fortunate these things came to pass on Sunday:

→ LSU leap-frogged USC in the AP poll, adding more fuel to the fire in the debate over which team is No. 1 in college football;
→ The NFL's Week 4 had a few upsets, and Brett Favre set the record for all-time TD passes;
→ The MLB postseason field was (almost) set -- including a play-in game for the NL wild card -- and the Mets' collapse.

Otherwise, SportsCenter's Budweiser Hot Seat would be prime real estate for someone to explain the second-, third- and fourth-place cars crossing the finish line ahead of winner Greg Biffle.

Yes, we've read NASCAR's explanation but it still rings hollow when the leader isn't going fast enough to keep pace. By letter of the law, "cars will be scored on the basis of their respective track position. NO PASSING WILL BE PERMITTED as long as cars maintain a reasonable speed considering the conditions that exist on the track. The determination of respective track position and a reasonable speed are judgment calls that will be made by NASCAR Officials."

I get it. But did Biffle "maintain a reasonable speed" coming to the stripe? In the judgment of the NASCAR officials, he did. But isn't the winner supposed to be the first car across the finish line under the checkered flag?

Say What?

"The reason I was mad, someone like a teammate would race me like that."
-- Carl Edwards

"My job's not to get out of his way all the time."
-- Matt Kenseth

Roush Racing teammates on their Busch race at Kansas. Near the middle of the race, Kenseth moved in front of Edwards, the two made contact and Edwards cut a tire, causing him to drop a lap behind the leaders. Edwards' woes worsened after he smacked the wall on Lap 142. Edwards clapped his hands at Kenseth and gave his teammate a thumbs-up after the wreck.

Figuratively Speaking

42 -- Lowest finish in a Chase race by the eventual Nextel Cup champion.

Kurt Busch finished 42nd in the seventh race of 2004, the Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 at Atlanta. His other nine finishes were top-10s, including six top-fives and one victory. Tony Stewart's worst finish in 2005 was 25th (fifth race) and Jimmie Johnson's was 39th in the first race last year.

Up Next

UAW-Ford 500 | Talladega | 1 p.m. ET Sunday | ABC
Race No. 30 of 36 | Get tickets | Book travel

• Defending race winner: Brian Vickers
• Most victories at the track: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon (5)
• Best average finish (minimum five starts): Kurt Busch (10.2 in 13 starts)
Active drivers only (Continued)