“The only that NASCAR has told us that we can’t do is we can’t use profanity. I don’t ever remember anybody ever being penalized for getting out and saying whatever they wanted to say even against NASCAR.

             

           “When people talk about we need more emotion, I don’t understand what they mean other than if we cussed and we fought, then that would be the next step. Short of that, honestly, what is the next step? 

            “I think we’re always looking for something that we could do better. There’s nothing at all wrong with that, but the thought that the drivers don’t have emotion and they’re not willing to show emotion and corporate America is not letting us do it … I don’t remember having a sponsor come to me and saying, “You shouldn’t have said that.’ In all the years I’ve raced, I’ve said things on the radio that my mother would have been ashamed of me for saying. I’ve said things to drivers, talking to them on television. I’ve never had a sponsor come to me and say “You shouldn’t have done that.’’

   

          “I’ve never had NASCAR come to me and say you shouldn’t have done that. There is a level of expectation of professionalism that I think is the right thing to do. If you’re mad at somebody, I think it’s OK to say it.

 

            “I don’t have a thumb on me telling me I can’t say something. That I guarantee you. If I ever do, I’ll tell you this right now, if NASCAR ever comes to me and says “You can’t talk about other drivers or you can’t say anything,’’ I’m going to do something else because the way I view it, I don’t work for NASCAR. They sanction the races. I work for Caterpillar. I work for Richard Childress. I have the right to express my opinion. I live in a country that says I can.’’

 

OK, so you've just read what Jeff said. So explain yourself. What are you looking for? What's reasonable? What is missing? If you were NASCAR, what would you do to encourage the reacations you want -- without the sport becoming lawless?