This question is for all who watched the nascar race from Darlington this weekend. Most of you saw or at least heard about the incident involving Stewart, hillenburg and Gordon. I watched the race and the way i saw it all happen was that Stewart blatent ran into the back of Hillenburg causing him to spin. Once Hillenburg was truned around, Gordon ran into the side of him. When all was said and done, Hillenburg said he was sorry that he took Gordon out of the race, Stewart felt that he did nothing wrong and that he felt no remorse for either of them because Hillenburg was so far off the pace, and Gordon was pissed at Hillenburg and feels that nascar should not fill the field to 43 cars for the start of each race. Gordon said it is a matter of "Quality, not quantity," These "field fillers," who cannot keep themselves up to speed and in the cometition should not be allowed to run. Now the question I have for all of you is, should these less competitive drivers be allowed to run in the Nextel Cup Events? My opinion is that anyone who can afford to be there and works as hard as all of those teams do to get there should be allowed to run. Just because a driver is not a front runner or a full time nascar driver does not mean he should be excluded from competition. I do feel however, that these less competitive drivers should hold a little more courtesy towards the drivers who are on the lead lap and are in the competition of every race. But iw ould like to know how the rest of you see this issue at hand. Nascar is having some serious debate about this right now so it seems like a decent question for here.

I think NASCAR needs to do something about Stewart he blatently took out Hillenburg and Kahne. Gordon needs to watch the tape before he blames someone. Drivers like Hillinburg, Shelmerdine, and Sheppard are there doing there best to help fill the field.

I feel the same way. Stewart was a menace yesterday. He should be penalized for what he did. As far as Gordon goes, he should watch the tape to see what happened. As far as the guys being allowed to race, I feel if they have the money and they can qualify - they should be allowed to race.

I think Gordon was wrong for blaming Hillenburg, but I can see his point about cars getting in the way. I think at every racetrack, NASCAR should look at times from the first practice session, and then set a reasonable maximum qualifying time. If 38 cars are able to turn in a lap under the cutoff time, then 38 cars start the race. If all 43 cars are able to beat the cutoff time, then all 43 cars take the green. This would make sure all of the cars on the track are capable of running "competive" times. This would also stop guys from showing up, taking 5 laps, loading up then collecting $40,000 for a couple of hours of work...just an opinion.

The question that the big teams keep asking is "Why are these guys in the field?" The answer is simple, they paid an entry fee, they passed inspection, they made it through qualifying AND they are maintaining the minimum speed. All of which is the standard NASCAR procedure for allowing a car in the field for a Nextel Cup show. I am SOOOOOOOO sorry that Gibbs or Hendrick are putting down a million a race for their teams, but guys like Andy Hillenburg or Kirk Shelmerdine have EVERY right to be out there.

I am a fan of Tony Stewart, I am not a fan of what happened at Darlington, but I can see how it could happen with the difference in funding (read HOR$EPOWER) between the two teams. I can also see the frustration from Jeff Gordon's side. He is NOT having a great start to the year and this is another bad thing, but with somebody else to rant about than their own team. Either way, Andy Hillenburg has NOTHING to apologize for. Victim here, not problem...

One of two things needs to happen. Either NASCAR re-writes the rules to restrict the lower funded teams from racing. No matter what you call a minimum speed rule change now it would be directly affecting the under-funded teams, and that would be a crime. These guys are living a dream that many of us would kill to be in. OR The "Big Guys" need to learn how to deal with competition that can have various levels of expertise. As long as these guys make the show, they can race. That's what racing is all about....

The Rapid One

I agree with all. These "field fillers" are paying their dues to get into these races. The real problem is that it is getting to expensive and some sponsors are leaving. Look at Jeff Burton, great driver, top notch team, lost thier sponsor. I think Nascar has to do something about the cost of the whole thing so teams can aford to compete at the same level. Until then we will continue to see the crap we watched at Darlington. As for Stewart taking out Kahne, totally unnessesary and he should have been penalized for his actions!