Monday, November 12, 2012

Gordon Slapped With $100,000 Fine, 25-Point Penalty

NASCAR has docked Jeff Gordon $100,000, docked him 25 championship driver points and put him on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31 for his actions yesterday at Phoenix International Raceway. Gordon was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) – altercation with another competitor on the race track during the race – after turning championship contender Clint Bowyer into the wall with three laps remaining in Sunday’s race.  

Rick Hendrick, owner of Gordon’s No. 24 AARP/Drive To End Hunger Chevrolet, has also been penalized with the loss of 25 championship owner points. Alan Gustafson, crew chief of the No. 24 car, was found in violation of Section 9-4A (at all events, crew chief assumes responsibility of his driver, car owner and team members) and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31.  

Brian Pattie, crew chief on Bowyer’s No. 15 5-Hour Energy Toyota, also violated Sections 12-1 and 9-4A and was fined $25,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31. Pattie’s fine stemmed from his team leaving its pit stall to confront Gordon in the NASCAR garage; a confrontation that saw crewmembers from both teams exchange blows. 

NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton commented on the sanctions, saying, “The decisions announced today cover NASCAR’s full assessment of penalties for the incidents that occurred. There’s no doubt that a unique set of circumstances combined with a championship battle on the line resulted in raw emotions coming into play. We consider the penalties appropriate and those involved understand our decision and we expect them to abide by them.” 

“I take responsibility for my actions on the racetrack,” Gordon said. “I accept NASCAR’s decision and look forward to ending the season on a high note at Homestead.”
Hendrick Motorsports issued a statement saying it will not appeal the sanctions. “I’ve always respected Jeff for standing his ground,” said team owner Rick Hendrick. “We also respect that NASCAR needs to police the sport and send a message when situations like this occur. It’s been a great year, and we’re going to put our focus on finishing in a positive way this weekend.”

In addition to sanctions assessed to the No, 24 and 15 teams, NASCAR also docked NASCAR Sprint Cup Series point leader B
rad Keselowski $25,000 and placed him on probation until Dec. 31 for having a cell phone in his possession onboard the race car at PIR. That comprised a violation of Sections 12-1 and 20-6.7A (cars and drivers will not be permitted to carry onboard computers, automated electronic recording devices, electronically actuated devices, power distribution modules, power conditioners, micro-processors, recording devices, electronic digital memory chips, traction control devices, digital readout gauges and the like, even if inoperable or incomplete) as outlined in the NASCAR rulebook.

22 comments:

  1. Well, it's something.

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  2. Anonymous6:29 PM

    Interesting that Brad was fined considering they specifically decided not to do so in February in Daytona. At that time the ruling was "Nothing we've seen from Brad violates any current rules pertaining to the use of social media during races. As such, he won't be penalized."

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  3. Anonymous6:29 PM

    Brad fined for tweeting now thats funny

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  4. Anonymous6:52 PM

    Really Nascar? I don't think having a phone in the car really deserves a fine.

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  5. Anonymous6:54 PM

    Hmm, what about Boyer's actions in the garage after he got out of his car? No point penalty for Brad, just money? Strange.....

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  6. Anonymous7:21 PM

    why is it that at the daytona race Brad was allowed to have the phone and NASCAR almost seemed to encourage it?

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  7. Anonymous7:29 PM

    Why wasn't Gordon suspended a race like Kyle Busch was in the truck series, Oh that's right,Jeff drives for Hendrick Motor Sports! Now it all becomes clear!

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  8. Anonymous7:53 PM

    I don't agree with the penalty assessed to BK. It does not specify "cell phones", but since cell phones have pretty much everthing except traction control, I guess I can see it. I'm sure someone out there will try to make an "app" for that too.

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  9. Anonymous8:11 PM

    Didn't K have a phone at Daytona? New rule?

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  10. Why is Gordon still allowed to race this weekend, Kyle was pulled immediately. Whats the difference?

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    1. Differnce is Gordon hasnt been warned repeatably by Nascar like Kyle was last year for altercations.

      Now they still need to deal with Brad's mouth and what all he had to say to the media that could not be shown on TV due to the nature. I also recall him satting back in Feb. that he alwasys caried his phone so I guues he really owes $850,000 for the 25k per race on the other 34 races. Nascar need to tighten up on Mr. social media.

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  11. Anonymous8:54 PM

    100K is toilet paper to Gordon!

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  12. RacerRandy9:54 PM

    Let's see.....$100K fine to Gordon for using his car as a weapon which damaged the cars (and hopes of a good finish) of two other innocent drivers and $25K to Brad for connecting with the fans via Twitter during the red flag period.

    Shows me where NASCAR's "priorities" are.

    Dave, please make sense of this for me, as I sure as Hell can't.

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  13. Penalties aside...Gordon admitted to waiting for Bowyer...can't Nascar make a rule to give points back to the driver 'not' at fault. I know I'm reaching, but gordon's actions took bowyer out of contention...and no amount of fines will give that back!

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  14. Anonymous1:20 AM

    I agree with those who think Gorgan should have been suspended as was Kyle Busch last year for the same thing. 100K is nothing to a multi-millionaire and docked 25 points....please, it's not like the points mean anything now anyway. As for the owner points, they mean nothing now or next year as well.

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  15. Anonymous9:07 AM

    Can't we all just get along ?

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  16. Anonymous11:36 AM

    Hey, Didnt Danica Patrick attempt to take out Cassill? Where was her penalty?. Didnt she take out Sam Hornish? Again where was her penalty. Why would Jeff Gordon get a penalty for the same thing?

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  17. Anonymous12:58 PM

    I wonder what Sprint has to say about the cell phone penalty. Seems like they would like to encourage smart phone use, as long as he wasn't texting while driving

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  18. Anonymous1:02 PM

    Not only was Gordon treated more favorably than Kyle Busch, he's already being treated more favorably by the media than Kyle was. Imagine the storm had it been KB again.

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  19. Anonymous1:22 PM

    Kyle Busch was already on probation when he was suspended...Gordon wasn't.

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    1. Anonymous5:04 PM

      Kyle was not on probation when he was suspended.

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  20. Anonymous2:16 AM

    Point taken. So it's okay to take someone out, just don't be on probation when you do it. I'd still be more in favor of locking the drivers in the NASCAR hauler and then let it be "boys have at it" instead of on the track.

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