Can NASCAR Pressure News Companies To Fire Writers?
After writing my article, Frequently Asked Questions About NASCAR’s Fines, I was contacted regarding the question, “What’s next, fining the media?” and was told to look into a couple of cases where NASCAR allegedly got writers fired. I was pointed in the direction of two writers in particular. One NASCAR.com (which is owned by Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital, not NASCAR itself) writer was covering a dust-up between a crew chief and a driver back in 2005. Seeking comment for a follow-up story, the reporter contacted the crew chief. The crew chief wasn’t pleased with the attention story was getting, and called it a lie. He also said he would contact NASCAR, presumably to complain about the story. The reporter was later fired for violating the company’s email policy. Many contend, however, that issue with the crew chief was the reason for the firing. The other writer worked for a media outlet that was purchased by an entity owned by International Speedway Corporation, a company fo
