Mike Helton
Mike Helton
Michael "Mike" Heltonis the vice chairman of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. He replaced Bill France, Jr. in November 2000 as the company's 3rd president. He was named Chief Operating Officer of NASCAR in February 1999...
absolutely anybody broaden concerned exposure growing heritage intact keeping nascar proud roots wants
NASCAR is absolutely as concerned about keeping its roots intact as it is about growing the sport. We're as proud of our heritage in 1948 as we are in 2006. At the same time, we're working to broaden the opportunities of the sport to anybody that wants to be a part of it and also broaden the exposure of the sport internationally.
anybody area gray prove warning
It's a gray area where we can not prove to anybody that we made the right decision. But if we have to, we'll get into it. So, today's your warning - we're getting into it.
believe convince effort existence heritage longer others realize redneck strongly understand
We believe strongly that the old Southeastern redneck heritage that we had is no longer in existence. But we also realize that there's going to have to be an effort on our part to convince others to understand that.
behavior cannot indicative interact manner sponsors tracks type
This type of behavior cannot be tolerated and is in no way indicative of the manner in which our drivers, teams, tracks and sponsors interact with the media.
certainly evening extremely figure
Everyone that was a part of the evening certainly would like to figure out how to not have another evening like this one, ... It was extremely undesirable.
allison crucial four gave hit left minutes points shot six stretch tied
We were down with four minutes left and Allison got us going. She scored four of six points in a crucial stretch for us. Bridgette Eastman hit a shot that tied it and Stout gave us the lead.
basically start
You basically have to start over from scratch.
air came including options pressure talked
We talked about a lot of options ... and the recommended air pressure was the one we came up with to try to get through the evening. Certainly, we talked about a lot of options ? including the possibility of having to shorten the race. But we never got to that extreme.
act chase closely outcome quickly race
We are going to be closely watching. Take this as your warning: We will act very quickly and very severely if we feel anyone's out there manipulating the race outcome or The Chase outcome.
conference crossed guaranteed hurdle ourselves tie
We've guaranteed ourselves at least a tie for the conference championship. We crossed that big hurdle tonight.
car pull shut
Shut up, kids! Don't make me pull this car over. I'll do it! I'll do it!
evening everybody extremely figure
I think everybody who was part of it would like to figure out how not to have another evening like this one. It was extremely undesirable.
black certainly deserves driver earning emotion incredible richard shot whether
I think there's certainly an incredible emotion around the black 3. But I think with the right circumstances at Richard Childress Racing, and whether it's Dale Jr. or another driver that deserves a shot at earning that respect, I think it can be done.
means nascar necessary stop whatever
NASCAR will use whatever means necessary to stop it.