Brad Keselowski thinks NASCAR using data to determine penalties is 'mandatory' for sake of fans
Brad Keselowski had a fascinating take on NASCAR using SMT data to determine penalties moving forward.
The topic has come up throughout the week, as the SMT data was shared to Twitter by Denny Hamlin as a way to prove Chase Elliott wrecked him during the Coca-Cola 600. Evidently, it was enough for NASCAR to agree with Hamlin, as Elliott was suspended for this weekend’s race at Gateway.
It’s been the talk of the garage, as Elliott isn’t in St. Louis for this weekend’s festivities. FOX’s Bob Pockrass decided to gauge Keselowski’s opinion on NASCAR using data such as a driver’s SMT to determine the correct penalties, and he simply believes it seems “reasonable.”
“I mean, it seems reasonable,” responded Keselowski, regarding the use of SMT data to determine if a driver should be penalized. “I really haven’t seen every scenario yet where that can come into play. I mean, it seems like a reasonable tool to use. In my personal life, I’m not big for having everything exposed and out in the light, but in the professional world, I think it’s probably pretty mandatory, for the fan experience and so-forth.”
Additionally, Keselowski likened the use of SMT data by NASCAR to instant replay in sports like baseball and football, believing it’ll help align the views of the fans and the sport’s officials.
“You know, I think you see that in other sports, if the fans have access to a tool that shows something, they expect the officiating to align with that,” added the RFK Racing team owner. “I think we’ve seen that in baseball and football, where they had replays and officials didn’t have that. The officials wouldn’t even watch the replays, and that would create a disconnect between the fans and the officiating that wasn’t healthy.
“So from a NASCAR perspective, I think if there’s a tool that’s available to the fans, they should certainly use it to officiate, as should every sport.”
In the past, SMT data might’ve worked against Keselowski, as he’s been known to get into it with some other drivers on the track. That’s what makes his take on the matter all the more important.
It looks like we’re entering a new era of NASCAR with the way the Denny Hamlin-Chase Elliott beef played out, and Brad Keselowski can see that. Whether it’s for the better or not remains to be seen, but change is definitely happening right before our eyes.