DRIVERS SUPPORT EARNHARDT JR.

Byline: TIM HADDOCK Motor Sports

Not surprisingly, Dale Earnhardt Jr. lost his appeal with NASCAR to overturn its decision to fine him $10,000 and penalize him 25 points for cursing during a live interview after winning the race at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama.

As Sterling Marlin would say, drivers ``always lose'' their appeals with NASCAR.

But some drivers, Marlin included, are saying this one needs to be reconsidered. Marlin said if Junior had made his comment 10 or even five years ago, it wouldn't have been such a big deal.

Tony Stewart said he doesn't think a championship should be decided on what a driver says after a race or off the racetrack.

If the season ended today, Junior's little slip of the tongue would be enough for Kurt Busch to win the Nextel Cup championship.

Busch has a 24-point lead over Junior with five races to go in the Chase. Take away his penalty for cursing after Talladega and Earnhardt Jr. would be in front by a point.

``It's going to be a shame if it comes down to the end of the year and he loses the points,'' said Marlin, driver of the No. 40 Dodge for Chip Ganassi Racing. ``A deal of 22 points. Man, that would be terrible. So I think it's kind of overboard myself. You know, then again, you shouldn't say it on TV, but I don't think he really meant to say it. He said it, got to pay the penalty for it.''

Overboard was the same word Stewart used in describing NASCAR's reaction to Earnhardt Jr.'s choice of words.

``If you want to fine him for saying something, I don't think anybody would complain, and I don't think Dale would complain about that,'' said Stewart, driver of the No. 20 Chevrolet for Joe Gibbs Racing. ``I think we all understand our responsibilities as drivers. But, you know, I think NASCAR went overboard on their decision to take points away. I think that's wrong. I think if you asked anybody, I think pretty much everybody agrees that was the wrong decision.''

It's not like any other sport takes away points or changes the outcomes of games or championships for off-court comments or off-field behavior.

It's not like Shaquille O'Neal cost the Lakers 25 points after going on a curse-laden tirade during a live televised postgame interview.

It's not like football players mind their mouths when they know microphones are near the sidelines and teammates are wired for live broadcasts of field banter.

``I've watched a bunch of football games, been on the sidelines of football games,'' Marlin said. ``I've heard a whole lot worse coming through on the TV with a professional team. You don't know who said it, but then again you've heard it.''

Anyone who watches college or pro football has. The curse words seep through the broadcasts subtly, anonymously. Is Earnhardt Jr.'s infraction any worse?

NASCAR says yes. NASCAR Busch Series drivers Johnny Sauter and Ron Hornaday Jr. have this in common with Junior, losing points in the championship for making profane comments during live interviews.

Even though Stewart said the wrong decision was made in regard to Earnhardt Jr., he was willing to say NASCAR was right in staying consistent with its penalties.

``That's something that sometimes with sanctioning bodies that's hard to find,'' Stewart said. ``We at least give them credit for being consistent in that case. But I think it's something that needs to be looked at.''

He's not alone. But then again, it doesn't matter to NASCAR. As far as NASCAR is concerned, it has been considered and drivers need to be aware of the consequences.

CAPTION(S):

4 boxes

Box:

(1) NASCAR NEXTEL CUP SERIES

(2) NASCAR BUSCH SERIES

(3) NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCKS SERIES

(4) FORMULA ONE