Clearing the Air? ; NASCAR says it is attempting to answer some tough questions about Dale Earnhardt's death.(Brief Article)

Mike Helton says he has had enough. He's had it up to here with some of the racing media, some of the fans, some of the ``instant experts'' in the mainstream media-even with some competitors in the garages. He's a strong-willed bear of a man not easily cowed, but he has had his fill.

So that's why the beleaguered president of NASCAR commandeered the podium at Richmond and pretty much told everyone where to go. Not in those words, but no one in the room misread the fire in his eyes or the tone of righteous indignation in his booming voice. He left no doubt about what he meant.

And it was this: We're going to conduct the investigation into the death of Dale Earnhardt the way we think is best, and we're not going to be distracted by back-seat drivers. We will tell you what we've learned only when we know what we've learned.

Helton answered no questions and left the room without further comment.

The afternoon before, Helton updated the Busch Series drivers and owners on NASCAR's ongoing investigation into the Feb. 18 death of the sport's legend. Only moments before addressing the media, Helton met with Cup drivers and owners to reassure them the truth eventually would emerge.

Since Feb. 18, various media have raised questions about the accident, questions they say haven't been answered. They've hammered NASCAR for not being more forthcoming, and hinted at a massive coverup of... something. They've pointed out inconsistencies and found witnesses whose account of the tragedy contradicts NASCAR's version.

Mostly, they've asked why it has taken almost three months to learn next to nothing-or why whatever has been learned is still concealed.