Only because that money is processed through USAC, they did not directly generate any of it.

Re: Usac: Ballou suspended for remainder of 2018 usac season
 

Originally Posted by kinser:
USAC: another “non profit organization “ where the president makes almost half a million a year. But they just can’t pay more to the racers.

:deadhorse: I beat this horse so long that I have made a 180...This guy pulls in $500,000 for himself, another $500,000 plus to share with a hand full of employees. The competitors keep coming back to buy a license and pay a entry fee and all is good. There is no question who the smartest guy is, he has all the money. NASCAR needs to be fixed and Kevin might be the guy, if he can get the kind of revenue flow that he currently is getting, and pay a minimum wage, imagine what he could make for the France family on that stage!

Maybe Nike will sign Robert?

All I want to know, is Tony still going let Robert prep the track for next year’s 4-Crown?

Re: Usac: Ballou suspended for remainder of 2018 usac season
 

Originally Posted by ROSS:
Am I the only one who is sitting here thinking this is a perfect example of the world we are living in today? This is a really good example of the culture of entitlement we see all the time. If you work for someone or you join a club/organization they will have rules to follow. When you clearly act like an ass or break those rules OVER and OVER there will be consequences. It's great he spoke his mind I guess but you have to know that it may end your association with that party. The crazy part (like this deal) is people are shocked at the repercussions and are trying to defend it. I can say with 100% certainty that Robert wasn't the only one who didn't like the track on Saturday (or the other umpteen times he complained) they just chose to handle it the smart and respectful way. I realize the people who are backing him tonight aren't going to understand what I'm saying. I guess that returns me to my original point. This is the world we live in.

Spot on!

Usac is s joke. There nipple hangers. What kind of bs is this I guarantee Hewitt was the same way they didn't bar him. Guess they didn't all want black eyes !!!!!!!

Re: Usac: Ballou suspended for remainder of 2018 usac season
 

I'll preface this by saying that I like watching Robert Ballou race. He is exciting to watch, and is what a good, successful sprint car driver should be, brave and a hard nosed competitor. But I cringe every time some one sticks a microphone in front of him.

For at least the last two years he has publicly complained about track prep, officiating, other drivers...pretty much everything but the man in the mirror. He has complained on Twitter, Facebook and in interviews at tracks at MSCS and USAC sanctioned races. We all make choices in life. Robert made a choice to be critical of the organizations that provide him a track to race on, the organization responsible for organizing the races and the other competitors (not Saturday night, but in previous posts and interviews). Robert made a CHOICE. He was betting there would be no consequences for his actions. He was wrong.

Now...personally, I would have preferred to see USAC levy a LARGE fine on him (my thoughts are take his average 2018 finish payout times the number of races remaining) put him on probation, freeze his points where they are for 2018, but still allow him to race. That way, if he does better than average, he makes some money. If not, well then maybe he needs to do makes changes to his program.

We have all made bad choices in life. We have all faced consequences for those choices. We (hopefully) have learned from those choices. Hopefully Robert Ballou will learn from his choices.

Re: Usac: Ballou suspended for remainder of 2018 usac season
 

No one here except Robert (if he is following) and USAC, knows how many "Come to Jesus" talks USAC have had with Robert. At some point you gotta fire the guy if he doesn't get the message. Eventually you re-hire the guy, but at that point he now realizes that one clown don't stop the circus.

I am still waiting to have my “Paul Harvey” moment.... still waiting to hear “the rest of the story”....

Re: Usac: Ballou suspended for remainder of 2018 usac season
 

I like Robert! Love watching him race! That said, if USAC had past discussions with him about track bashing and he continued to proceed he kind of back them into a corner. They had two choices let him continue or take actions.

The past two Easter Storm tours he went after the tracks. This past tour, Lincoln one of the tracks he was very critical of dropped off the Tour. I’m not saying he caused this, but it certainly didn’t help.

This is the most asinine thing USAC has done since it forced this website to change it's name.

Re: Usac: Ballou suspended for remainder of 2018 usac season
 

Originally Posted by Rpracing1:
But it is also a very “Soft” world today. People/Organizations get butt hurt very easily nowadays. I have a word for them, but I would get suspended from this site if I posted it. Sigh......

This guy gets it! Bob has made an excellent point here.

I'm going to hope calling the people/organization "snowflakes" doesn't get me suspended again.

I miss the good old days when a driver could tell them to kiss his dick on national TV and get away with it 😂😂😂

Re: Usac: Ballou suspended for remainder of 2018 usac season
 

Originally Posted by tdt636:
I miss the good old days when a driver could tell them to kiss his dick on national TV and get away with it 😂😂😂

I love the net, It lets us discuss things while not having to be in person. I myself never try to not to speak to someone on the net any different than I would in person.
.
But at times like this.
I miss the days you took it straight to the source or by long distance phone calls and not a instant inflammatory tweet for all to see..

How do you think "You tried to kill your buddy Rico last year" Would go over in person? Id guess both would be in the hospital or jail or some combnaton of te two

If in fact one or more promoters/track owners complained to USAC about the Ballou remarks this smells like monetary blackmail. So much for an independent sanctioning body. I understand USAC is in a difficult position, but the punishment does not fit the crime.

Re: Usac: Ballou suspended for remainder of 2018 usac season
 

So this is USAC... No thanks. I read the posts RB put up and I don't recall him saying anything specifically about them. He did speak about the track, but so what? He didn't actually claim the track was trying to kill people, he asked whether or not it would take a death for changes to be enacted. Having said that, I do not think its wise or helpful to take to social media to voice your opinion, but the reaction from USAC reminds me too much of NASCAR and I HATE them. The irony that this revolves around Tony Stewart of all people, being upset about someone shooting their mouth off is the summit of HYPOCRISY. I've been a TS fan for more than 20 years and supported him the whole way thru ALL his tirades and he chooses to have the boom lowered on RB for something he's done dozens of times. Not cool, not cool at all Smoke. There are other series to run besides USAC, they ain't the only game in town, WAR would be glad to have him as well as several others if he wants to drop in. I don't agree with using social media as a way to raise concerns or complaints, but making it a serious enough offense to warrant suspension and appropriation of monies already earned is too much IMHO. Also I seriously doubt anything RB said had any effect on any events or put any in danger. If TS was threatening that to USAC, then shame on them both. Social Media posts arent whats hurting motorsports and silencing an exciting driver only makes them look like, "The Bad Guy". RB shouldn't have taken to twitter, but the president does that 20 times a week in the fake news. All TS had to do was ignore him but he didn't and to me is just as guilty at contributing to the flame war. I'm turning in my TS fan card, no thanks dude, you have gotten way to big for your britches.

Actually 3rd time they talked to him about the same thing in 2016 & 2017 and now.

Give me a freaking break, I would love to see him pass Darland!! Not going to happen!!!

Re: Usac: Ballou suspended for remainder of 2018 usac season
 

USAC is THE premier professional open wheel organization and has been for years. You have tracks and advertisers who count on USAC to have this type of races. USAC is bigger than any one racer.

If racers have issues, just move on to another organization.

Re: Usac: Ballou suspended for remainder of 2018 usac season
 

I apologize if this has already been brought up. But didn't Stewart just make a HUGE fuss and basically shame the WoO for not letting him have his trailer at their shows earlier this year? He completely belittled them on twitter over that deal. And he even kept bringing it up for DAYSSSSS.

If Ballou was warned multiple times, then suspend him some races and don't pull his points fund money. Or suspend him the rest of the year if they must. But for crying out loud, don't pull his points fund money. That is absolutely ********. The guy spent TONS of hard earned money to follow you around and support you all year long. This is how you repay the guy? Absolutely too harsh of a punishment

And called out Daryn Pittman merely for giving his opinion to Stewart when he asked him, he’s a hypocrite and a clown with major unresolved anger issues.

You can't put this on TS. Usac needs Stewart's track more than he needs USAC. He was called out, responded, and let **** fly where it might. You think he influenced USAC? Why? What does he stand to gain? Do honestly think he cares if Ballou or USAC were to never come back? Not a chance.

No, Stewart was allowed to have his trailer hidden in the back at Volusia. Because he wasn't a full-time, he wasn't allowed to park it on the Midway with the WoO regulars, which was crap because there wasn't much foot traffic in that area other than to get to your seats. They'd have sold a ton more stuff if they let him park his there. So went to race elsewhere those nights.

Re: Usac: Ballou suspended for remainder of 2018 usac season
 

Originally Posted by Therealether:
No, Stewart was allowed to have his trailer hidden in the back at Volusia. Because he wasn't a full-time, he wasn't allowed to park it on the Midway with the WoO regulars, which was crap because there wasn't much foot traffic in that area other than to get to your seats. They'd have sold a ton more stuff if they let him park his there. So went to race elsewhere those nights.

Oh you mean because the Outlaws have rules in place regarding tshirt trailers? Which they responded and explained so everyone knew the deal. And I didn’t agree with the ruling, but it is what it is. Yet he still continued to tweet about it days, and even weeks later.

Re: Usac: Ballou suspended for remainder of 2018 usac season
 

I know USAC reads this forum,You guy's should at least pay him his points he has earned them and paid for them. Remember he's risked his life his money and time and he does have fans that enjoy his talent . You know to keep your eye on him in every race he's alway's elbows up.

Boycotting a USAC race doesn’t hurt USAC. It hurts the track and the promoter who is hosting the race. So put on your “I love Ballou” shirts & get out and support your local dirt tracks before they are gone. And have some ice cream while you’re there! 🏁

Re: Usac: Ballou suspended for remainder of 2018 usac season
 

[QUOTE=hoosier race fan;502753]Free speech protects you from government censorship or legal consequences. It is not a protection from consequences enforced by an employer or association you voluntarily elect to be a member of, or participate with. Criticize your employer or the company you work for in any line of work and see how long you keep that job. Most companies would sever all ties with someone criticizing them or one of their contracted facilities after repeated social media outbursts. Personally, I think being suspended the rest of the year after doing this for the third year in a row is letting him off easy.
If he is not allowed, or chooses not to race with USAC in the future, he can find plenty of races with MSCS, WAR, BOSS, MTS, etc. Maybe heading back west is an option also.[/QUOTE

I'm fully aware that the legal concept of freedom of speech applies to the government & not employers. I'm not arguing that USAC doesn't have the legal right to suspend him. I'm saying its a crappy thing to do & they shouldn't do it. Non wing racing is what he does for a living, & he's damn good at it, puts fans in the seats & risks his life doing it. Do you think he'll be willing to swallow his pride & crawl back next year? He may not be any good at winged cars, & USAC is the big cheese for nonwing. Of course he shot off his mouth too many times... let the punishment fit the crime.... this was way too much IMHO :7:

Re: Usac: Ballou suspended for remainder of 2018 usac season
 

[quote=revjimk;502951]

Originally Posted by hoosier race fan:
Free speech protects you from government censorship or legal consequences. It is not a protection from consequences enforced by an employer or association you voluntarily elect to be a member of, or participate with. Criticize your employer or the company you work for in any line of work and see how long you keep that job. Most companies would sever all ties with someone criticizing them or one of their contracted facilities after repeated social media outbursts. Personally, I think being suspended the rest of the year after doing this for the third year in a row is letting him off easy.
If he is not allowed, or chooses not to race with USAC in the future, he can find plenty of races with MSCS, WAR, BOSS, MTS, etc. Maybe heading back west is an option also.[/QUOTE

I'm fully aware that the legal concept of freedom of speech applies to the government & not employers. I'm not arguing that USAC doesn't have the legal right to suspend him. I'm saying its a crappy thing to do & they shouldn't do it. Non wing racing is what he does for a living, & he's damn good at it, puts fans in the seats & risks his life doing it. Do you think he'll be willing to swallow his pride & crawl back next year? He may not be any good at winged cars, & USAC is the big cheese for nonwing. Of course he shot off his mouth too many times... let the punishment fit the crime.... this was way too much IMHO :7:

Rev.................Robert actually has a Real Full time job on top of his racing gig.

Re: Usac: Ballou suspended for remainder of 2018 usac season
 

Originally Posted by btg1963:
I am still waiting to have my “Paul Harvey” moment.... still waiting to hear “the rest of the story”....

I am NOT the proper gender for a "Me Too" moment, but I do want to hear “the rest of the story” along with many others following this mess on "antisocial media"

If you were not at the meeting you probably shouldn’t be making comments.

Re: Usac: Ballou suspended for remainder of 2018 usac season
 

Originally Posted by Therealether:
You can't put this on TS. Usac needs Stewart's track more than he needs USAC. He was called out, responded, and let **** fly where it might. You think he influenced USAC? Why? What does he stand to gain? Do honestly think he cares if Ballou or USAC were to never come back? Not a chance.

Actually if he does not care if USAC ever comes back seems to me that is a valid reason for not coming back. Kind of like the girl says "its over", well then go find another. TS has been given far too much credit for some things and not enough for others, but he has not been a loyal supporter of USAC or non-wing racing in general for a long time.

Re: Usac: Ballou suspended for remainder of 2018 usac season
 

If the crowd is small then the power of the sanctioning body is weak, if the crowd is large the sanctioning body has power...power leads to higher sanction fees, higher sanction fees allow for more salary!!

Re: Usac: Ballou suspended for remainder of 2018 usac season
 

[quote=Rpracing1;502952]

Originally Posted by revjimk:



Rev.................Robert actually has a Real Full time job on top of his racing gig.

Thanks for the update... but racing is obviously what he loves. I just think this punishment is way too severe, as it puts a huge crimp in his racing career.
Also, how can anybody have a "full time job" & follow USAC National tour? His employers must be pretty lenient about time off (not doubting you, just curious...)