What in the world is going in the world of automobile racing?

It’s becoming kind of like hockey on wheels. Heck, even baseball — where beanings have set off classic brawls — is beginning to look tame by comparison.

Well, after a NASCAR race in Fort Worth’s Texas Motor Speedway, Jeff Gordon and Brad Keselowski had words on pit row, then Gordon started throwing punches. The two race teams got into a serious melee. Gordon called Keselowski some unprintable names on TV, apparently after Keselowski caused Gordon’s car to crash as Gordon was racing for the lead.

http://www.sportingnews.com/nascar/story/2014-11-02/jeff-gordon-brad-keselowski-fight-texas-results-jimmie-johnson-win-chase-standings

Well, I used to watch hockey. Then I became disinterested because of all the fighting that — in my view — detracts from what at its core is a beautiful sport that demands supreme athleticism.

Car racing is now falling into that category.

Hey, didn’t race car drivers use to say “That’s racing” when they crashed or when someone nudged them, causing them to spin out, lose track position and — what the heck — maybe even championships?

These days it’s become grist for vengeance on the track.

I’ll give Gordon and Keselowski a tiny bit of credit: At least they were fighting with their fists — or trying to fight that way — rather than using their cars as high-speed battering rams, which also happens with startling frequency on these race tracks. That, I submit, is the kind of “fighting” that must not be tolerated, ever.

Auto racing is a dangerous enough sport when all the competitors are keeping their cool. When hotheads start bumping competitors to pay them back, they put the entire field — not to mention the spectators sitting at track side — at maximum risk of injury or death.

As for these pit row brawls, let’s knock it off. It might be safer for everyone than when they’re racing — but they’re no less idiotic.