Robby Gordon’s antics at Saturday’s Busch race in Montreal will have him parked for Sunday’s Nextel Cup race at Pocono, Pa. Gene Nead, Gordon’s crew chief, has confirmed that Gordon will not be allowed to race in Sunday’s Pennsylvania 500. P.J. Jones, who practiced in the car Saturday while Gordon was in Montreal, will run the No. 7 Ford in the race.
I really think its inappropriate to park someone’s Nextel Cup ride because they had some problems in the Busch race, especially since they were at different tracks. Park Gordon for the next Busch race, but to penalize him in a different series is just plain silly.
NASCAR announced Tuesday that Tony Stewart has been fined $25,000 and penalized 25 Nextel Cup Series driver championship points, as a result of using inappropriate language during a post-race televised interview following his victory Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Stewart retains his fifth-place standing in the series points, with his total points reduced to 2,599.
NASCAR announced Tuesday that Greg Biffle has been fined $5,000 and placed on probation until December 31 for failing to fulfill his post-race media obligations this past Saturday night, following the Busch Series race at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis. Biffle finished second in the event. In addition to the winning driver, second- and third-place finishers, plus the highest-finishing rookie of the year candidate must report for post-race interviews.
Hendrick Motorsports team owner Rick Hendrick is deciding whether to appeal NASCAR’s penalties and suspensions of crew chiefs Chad Knaus and Steve Letarte. “We are disappointed in NASCAR’s decision and feel the penalties are excessive,” Hendrick said. “Right now, all of our options are being evaluated, including out personnel situation and a possible appeal to the National Stock Car Racing Commission.”
NASCAR has issued penalties and fines to the No. 24 and No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports teams that compete in the Nextel Cup Series, as a result of rule infractions found this past weekend at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. Both cars – the No. 24 driven by Jeff Gordon and the No. 48 driven by Jimmie Johnson – were found to be in violation of Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used do not conform to NASCAR rules); 20-2.1E (parts or components of the car not previously approved by NASCAR that have been installed or modified to enhance aerodynamic performance will not be permitted); and 20-2H (fenders may not be cut or altered except for wheel or tire clearance which must be approved by the Series Director) of the 2007 NASCAR rule book. The violations were found during the initial inspection process last Friday.
Continue reading NASCAR Hands Down Penalties To Gordon And Johnson
NASCAR announced Friday that Kurt Busch, driver of the No. 2 Dodge in the Nextel Cup Series, has been penalized 100 championship driver points, fined $100,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31, 2007, for violating Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing – reckless driving; endangering a crew member on pit road) of the 2007 NASCAR rule book. Car owner Roger Penske has also been penalized with the loss of 100 championship owner points due to his driver’s infraction. The violation occurred on pit road during the race at Dover International Speedway on June 4. Busch crashed with Tony Stewart and showed his frustration by making contact with Stewart’s car on pit road. He was parked by NASCAR for the rest of the race. The penalty drops Busch from 11th in the championship standings to a tie with Bobby Labonte for 18th at 720 points behind leader Jeff Gordon.
It took long enough for a penalty to come out. While 100 points is a good start, he should have been parked for a few races. Kurt Busch is a terrible sport and a crybaby. Now my only question to NASCAR is: Would the penalty have been stiffer if he would have actually hurt someone? Just because he missed, doesn’t take away from the profound impact of what he did.