Radio chatter needs some limits, but don't complain

DOVER, Del. -- Be careful what you wish for. You just might get more than your virgin ears can handle in the sport of NASCAR, where off-color office talk is played loud and clear for public consumption.

We all partake in water-cooler discussions in our daily work lives and we take for granted the gossip and commentary won't leave the circle of trust among our colleagues. No one wants to get called to the matt for mud slinging -- it's awkward and unpleasant.

Sort of like the time Clint Bowyer shouted over his in-car radio that Michael Waltrip was "the worst driver in NASCAR" at Bristol Motor Speedway for a wreck Waltrip didn't cause.

Waltrip wasn't mad but blames broadcasters for replaying the audio, much like a colleague spreading office gossip.

If you're a NASCAR driver, whose office is a stock car hooked up to a sophisticated radio system, everyone -- fans, media, teams -- is privy to each and every unfiltered thought and opinion that leaves the driver's mouth.

NASCAR prides itself on serving up unfettered access via audio scanners to its superstars; it's an advantage the sport holds over other professional leagues. As much as we would like to have heard what Philadelphia Eagles players had to say to DeSean Jackson last week after his premature touchdown celebration, we can not. In NASCAR, however, we hear everything.

A driver's radio transmissions, the catalyst by which to communicate the performance or lack thereof inside the car, is free game and lately a target for criticism because of foul language and crew chief abuse.

But what fans and other critics should consider is that judgment should be reserved. We are offered the listen-in feature as a bonus and shouldn't become enraged if we hear something we don't like.

Dale Earnhardt Jr., at the forefront of the most recent string of complaints, put it best.

"I don't mind if ya'll listen, but keep your opinions to yourself. Because I am doing business out there and I am doing my job and that is how I do it," he said. "Ya'll can listen all you want, but if you hear something that upsets you, don't come crying to me or whoever said it on my radio. I don't want to restrict the fans' access. I like the access."

No one in the garage is calling for restricted radio communications or violating drivers' First Amendment rights just yet, but some suggest ground rules be implemented.

"I think it is great that they have that kind of access, but I also think that [fans] need to understand what comes along with that," Jeff Gordon said. "There are going to be things sometimes that aren't going to be appropriate for kids and I hope they understand that. When you are in an intense sport, running 200 mph and things don't go your way, sometimes you say things that are meant for adults ... I try not to talk on the radio much and when I do I'd like to take back most of what I say."

Oh but that is when it's the most fun, right? Famous radio chatter has given the sport primetime exposure on SportsCenter from Tony Stewart's "here kitty kitty" to Earnhardt's "is it me or is this race too long" comments that fans will be quoting for years to come.

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. admits his tone isn't the best on the radio, but says if anyone expects him to change, too bad. He's trying to win a Cup championship.

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"We love hearing his comments on the radio because he cracks us up," said Gordon referring to Earnhardt's colorful banter and verbal abuse between the driver and his crew chief Tony Eury Jr.

But drivers warn fans that not everything they hear can be perceived the way it is broadcast on television -- an issue that both Gordon and Jeff Burton believe should be addressed by NASCAR.

"I have always been pretty clear on this: If the media is going to use what they get over a scanner that they use it in the context that it was and the time frame it was used," Gordon said. "We have had issues before where they will take a clip of something that happens, video-wise, and link up my voice that came from a different clip and put them together and that is the only issue that I have with it. I think that as long as it is used in the same context, in the same incident, then I have no problem with it because that is what I said."

Burton said drivers should be given notice if their comments are to be broadcast as well.

"I've been in the middle of that where I had another driver really mad at something I said that I was speaking to my team with no prior knowledge that television was replaying," Burton said. "They replayed my transmission to my team and I didn't think that was right. I think I should at least know it. As long as we know it, as long as it's clear that television, radio, print is going to print the things that we say, then so be it. It creates a bit of drama for us, but you know what that's why it's fun to watch. So I'm OK with it. Again, I just think we need to know the rules."

Denny Hamlin's position is to keep the lines of communication open, but drivers should be concise in their message.

"The bottom line is that yeah, it's our work place, but we know that with the 100,000 people watching in the stands, there are millions watching at home with NASCAR TrackPass or whatever. We realize that," he said. "I try my best to watch what I say. You can get your point across. You don't necessarily have to go on a rant to do it."

When Gordon gets fired up inside the car, he wishes his brain-to-mouth filter would kick in. But sometimes drivers can't help blurting expletives or unsavory language.

"I wish I was aware of it more," Gordon said. "In the car it is so intense. Adrenaline is flowing. I'm talking to myself sometimes. The last thing I am thinking about is the fans, but I do know that a lot of them have scanners or sit at home and can hear us on the Internet."

Jimmie Johnson recalled an occasion where he felt regret for something he said over his radio.

"This year at Las Vegas when we were so bad, I think I told Chad [Knaus, crew chief] I would pull it down pit road and let him have a shot at it. It was so bad and we were arguing so bad on the radio," Johnson said. "After the race, we had a huge event for Lowe's that took place and they had a 1,000 people in this tent outside afterwards with all their store managers. I walked in to that event with my head down, feeling terrible about the race and I walked in the door, I see kids and lots of people in Lowe's attire. They said, 'Man, it sounded rough today on the radio.' It hit me then. I felt so guilty that I said all the things I did on the radio. That put it in perspective more than anything."

Since then, Johnson chooses his words carefully. He knows that families and young children are listening.

"I still say plenty of colorful things, but it is in my head more than it has ever been," he said. "I am thankful that the fans are understanding that it is a competitive sport and there are a lot of things said on the radio, kind of under the helmet that some people don't need to hear, and it may offend some people."

Offensive or not, the privilege of being privy to drivers' verbalizations inside the car comes with a price, and that may be that you hear something sensitive or unpleasant to the ears.

But like Earnhardt inferred, NASCAR drivers don't come judge us for our office talk, so we should pay them the same consideration.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.