NASCAR, TV Partners Catch Flak For Drivers’ On-Air Behavior

Gordon Auctioning Off Thrown Helmet For Hurricane Relief

The American Family Association is urging its members to “‘demand’ an audio delay for NASCAR” after Nextel Cup driver Robby Gordon cursed during an interview on TNT after crashing last Sunday, according to Michael Hiestand of USA TODAY. NASCAR VP/Corporate Communications Jim Hunter said that the organization is considering “cool down” periods when “drivers couldn’t appear on TV for ‘maybe 10 minutes’ after being knocked out of a race.” Hiestand writes that imposing such regulations “might undercut a big part of the TV appeal of NASCAR, where drivers often pop up on TV right after hair-raising crashes.” NBC and TNT currently do not use delays on any sports. NBC Universal Sports VP & Olympics VP/Communications & Marketing Mike McCarley: “We’re confident that NASCAR’s efforts will prevent (on-air obscenities) in the future” (USA TODAY, 9/21).

HATS OFF: Gordon is auctioning off the helmet he threw at Michael Waltrip during Sunday’s race to raise money for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Bidding began Tuesday and will end September 27, with proceeds going to the Harrah’s Employee Relief Fund. Harrah’s Entertainment is one of Gordon’s sponsors and has 8,000 displaced employees on the Gulf Coast (BOSTON GLOBE, 9/21). At presstime, the bidding was up to $9.7M (THE DAILY).