Oval Office (NASCAR)
Encyclopedia
The "Oval Office" is a slang
term for the mobile command station used by NASCAR
officials. The office, located in a trailer
, travels from race to race. The office serves as the workplace for NASCAR officials such as President Mike Helton
, Vice President for Competition Robin Pemberton
and/or Sprint Cup Series Director John Darby
.
, the office used by the President of the United States
, and the oval
shape of the 2004 Nextel Cup Series logo
which is prominently displayed on the side of the trailer. The term was first used by Mike Joy
in 2004 during the Subway 400 at the North Carolina Speedway
, after Mark Martin
and Pat Tryson were summoned after allegations Martin was blocking Kasey Kahne
late in the race in order to protect his teammate, Matt Kenseth
.
Prior to that time, the command station had been referred as the Big Red Truck for the Cup events or the Big Blue Truck for the Busch Series
, because of the colors of the series' sponsors (Winston
and Busch, respectively). NASCAR has since standarized their logos, so now the term can refer to the shape of the logos of any NASCAR series.
The Oval Office is the venue for meetings, usually just after a race (but sometimes during a race), where drivers and crew chiefs who have run afoul of NASCAR rules are brought in for consultation or notification of penalties. A driver who is in trouble for some sort of altercation, either on or off the track, is often quoted as saying that he has been "called into the Oval Office." Traditionally, the races at Bristol Motor Speedway
are the ones where it is said the "line is busy" when numerous drivers and crew chief
s, and even general mechanics and spouses (Eva Busch
and Nicole Biffle
at the Samsung 500 in one instance), are requested to appear following fouls that take place during or after the race, including fisticuffs.
Commentator Larry McReynolds
often refers to a "pardon from the Oval Office" when a driver receives a free pass (or "lucky dog"), which allows the first driver who is a lap or more behind the leaders to move up a lap at the start of a safety car
situation.
Slang
Slang is the use of informal words and expressions that are not considered standard in the speaker's language or dialect but are considered more acceptable when used socially. Slang is often to be found in areas of the lexicon that refer to things considered taboo...
term for the mobile command station used by NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
officials. The office, located in a trailer
Trailer (vehicle)
A trailer is generally an unpowered vehicle pulled by a powered vehicle. Commonly, the term trailer refers to such vehicles used for transport of goods and materials....
, travels from race to race. The office serves as the workplace for NASCAR officials such as President Mike Helton
Mike Helton
Michael Helton is the president of the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing . He replaced Bill France, Jr. in November 2000 as the company's third president. He was named the Chief Operating Officer of NASCAR in February 1999....
, Vice President for Competition Robin Pemberton
Robin Pemberton
Robin Pemberton is an American motor racing official, currently the vice president for competition of NASCAR. He has held that position since 2004....
and/or Sprint Cup Series Director John Darby
John Darby (NASCAR official)
John Darby is an American motor racing official, currently serving as Managing Director of Competition Director of NASCAR. In this capacity, oversees the competition directors of the Sprint Cup Series , the NASCAR Nationwide Series, and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series...
.
Overview
The term is taken from the better-known Oval OfficeOval Office
The Oval Office, located in the West Wing of the White House, is the official office of the President of the United States.The room features three large south-facing windows behind the president's desk, and a fireplace at the north end...
, the office used by the President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
, and the oval
Oval
An oval is any curve resembling an egg or an ellipse, such as a Cassini oval. The term does not have a precise mathematical definition except in one area oval , but it may also refer to:* A sporting arena of oval shape** a cricket field...
shape of the 2004 Nextel Cup Series logo
Logo
A logo is a graphic mark or emblem commonly used by commercial enterprises, organizations and even individuals to aid and promote instant public recognition...
which is prominently displayed on the side of the trailer. The term was first used by Mike Joy
Mike Joy
Mike Joy is an American TV sports announcer, who currently serves as the lap-by-lap voice of FOX Sports' NASCAR Sprint Cup coverage. His color analysts are Darrell Waltrip and Larry McReynolds. Joy has broadcast more than 30 Daytona 500s, NASCAR's biggest event...
in 2004 during the Subway 400 at the North Carolina Speedway
North Carolina Speedway
Rockingham Speedway, formerly North Carolina Motor Speedway and later North Carolina Speedway is a racetrack located near Rockingham, North Carolina...
, after Mark Martin
Mark Martin (NASCAR)
Mark Anthony Martin is an American stock car driver currently competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. As of 2012, Martin will drive for Michael Waltrip Racing, moving on from successful organizations such as Hendrick Motorsports and Roush Fenway Racing. He has the second most wins in the NASCAR...
and Pat Tryson were summoned after allegations Martin was blocking Kasey Kahne
Kasey Kahne
Kasey Kenneth Kahne is a NASCAR driver. He drives the #5 Farmers Insurance Group Chevrolet Impala for Hendrick Motorsports in the Sprint Cup Series....
late in the race in order to protect his teammate, Matt Kenseth
Matt Kenseth
Matthew Roy "Matt" Kenseth is an American stock car driver. Kenseth currently drives the No. 17 Crown Royal Ford Fusion in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for Roush Fenway Racing...
.
Prior to that time, the command station had been referred as the Big Red Truck for the Cup events or the Big Blue Truck for the Busch Series
Busch Series
The NASCAR Nationwide Series is a stock car racing series owned and operated by the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing. It is promoted as NASCAR's "minor league" circuit, and is a proving ground for drivers who wish to step up to the organization's "big leagues"; the Sprint Cup circuit...
, because of the colors of the series' sponsors (Winston
Winston (cigarette)
Winston cigarettes are manufactured by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company or its newer incarnation as RJR Nabisco and/or its affiliates.The brand was introduced in 1954, and became the best-selling brand of cigarettes in the United States...
and Busch, respectively). NASCAR has since standarized their logos, so now the term can refer to the shape of the logos of any NASCAR series.
The Oval Office is the venue for meetings, usually just after a race (but sometimes during a race), where drivers and crew chiefs who have run afoul of NASCAR rules are brought in for consultation or notification of penalties. A driver who is in trouble for some sort of altercation, either on or off the track, is often quoted as saying that he has been "called into the Oval Office." Traditionally, the races at Bristol Motor Speedway
Bristol Motor Speedway
Bristol Motor Speedway, formerly known as Bristol International Raceway and Bristol Raceway is a NASCAR short track venue located in Bristol, Tennessee. Constructed in 1960, it held its first NASCAR race on July 30, 1961...
are the ones where it is said the "line is busy" when numerous drivers and crew chief
Pit stop
In motorsports, a pit stop is where a racing vehicle stops in the pits during a race for refuelling, new tires, repairs, mechanical adjustments, a driver change, or any combination of the above...
s, and even general mechanics and spouses (Eva Busch
Kurt Busch
Kurt Thomas Busch is an American NASCAR and NHRA driver. He drives the No. 22 Shell Oil Company/Pennzoil Dodge Charger in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and will race on an "opportunity permitting" basis in the Pro Stock division of NHRA...
and Nicole Biffle
Greg Biffle
Gregory Jack "Greg" Biffle is a NASCAR driver who drives the #16 3M Ford Fusion for Roush Fenway Racing in the Sprint Cup Series. After racing in the NASCAR Winter Heat Series in the mid-90s, he was recommended to Jack Roush by former announcer Benny Parsons...
at the Samsung 500 in one instance), are requested to appear following fouls that take place during or after the race, including fisticuffs.
Commentator Larry McReynolds
Larry McReynolds
Lawrence Joseph McReynolds III is a former NASCAR crew chief and currently serves as a racing analyst on Fox Sports, TNT and a columnist on Foxsports.com. He currently lives in Mooresville, North Carolina...
often refers to a "pardon from the Oval Office" when a driver receives a free pass (or "lucky dog"), which allows the first driver who is a lap or more behind the leaders to move up a lap at the start of a safety car
Safety car
In motorsport, a safety car or pace car is a car which limits the speed of competing cars on a racetrack in the case of a caution period such as an obstruction on the track. During a caution period the safety car enters the track ahead of the leader...
situation.