Denny Hamlin said today that he will
not appeal the $25,000 fine handed down by NASCAR last week for comments
critical of NASCAR’s new Gen-6 race car.
He
also renewed his pledge not to pay.
“After
a lot of thought I have decided not to appeal the fine NASCAR has issued,”
wrote Hamlin in a Twitter posting Thursday afternoon. “Dragging my myself, my
team and NASCAR through the mud for the next two weeks would not be good for
anyone.”
He
made it clear, however, that his decision not to appeal is not an admission of
wrongdoing.
“I firmly believe I am in the right
on this issue and will stand behind my decision not to pay,” he said. “I
understand NASCAR will do what they feel is necessary based on my decision.
Thanks to all of my fans and peers who have supported me in this decision. I
look forward to putting it to rest.”
NASCAR responded to Hamlin’s statement, saying that the fine will
be settled per Section 12-3 of the 2013 NASCAR rule book, which allows the
sanctioning body to deduct unpaid penalties from the driver’s purse or point
fund earnings. NASCAR “considers this matter closed.”
According to Jayski Denny Hamlin placed 15th and his winnings were $125,780. I would almost bet that NASCAR held back that $25,000 to be issued after settlement of the fine or reprisal to the fine. Win Win for everyone. Denny JGR and FedEx don't have to be in the negative news. Denny gets to stick his nose in the air. And Nascar says it's settled and what secret fine system do they have......
ReplyDeleteI really didn't like Hamlin before this, not saying I'm going to cheer for him but I like him a little more now for not being a NASCAR robot.
ReplyDeletei still can't stand the little twit and than chip on his shoulder! i really dont think it is what he did/said, but more of how he said it...demeaning, rudely and publicly. he called out nascar, called out the the car...nascar does want feedback from the drivers, but not done is such a way that that says Nascar needs him more than he needs nascar...we have seen nascar handle that attitude before with several drivers!
Deletethanks for the info Dave. of course he says he wont pay the fine, he's not worried about being suspended anyway because he knows that NASCAR will take the money from his earnings. I bet you that 25 grand he'd pay it if he faced suspension just sayin lol
ReplyDeleteI STILL cannot find what NASCAR heard that was so terrible. Denny said the Gen 6 car does not drive like the Gen 5 car. I say, Duh of course it doesn't. Gen 6 hasn't been worked on like the Gen 5. The parts weren't even available until weeks before it was put on the track (well, that's a little bit of exaggeration). I realize NASCAR can, and will do what they want, however I think all the drivers should, in monotone and with appropriate electronic sounds in the background, should say, "The car is perfert, the race was great, I'm so happy that everything is perfect," whenever a mic is stuck in their face. That way they don't have to risk NASCAR's pettiness.
ReplyDeleteA win/win for Denny and Nascar... a very sad day for Nascar fans.
ReplyDeleteNever-ending
ReplyDeleteArrogant
Sassy
Company
Avoiding
Responsibilities of its actions!!!!!
Win-Win or Lose-Lose? In my challenged mind this is a loss for Hamlin and NA$CAR. If Hamlin says publicly I won't pay and then brokers a backroom deal to pay that's doubletalk and he has folded in to NA$CAR. Didn't even put up the good fight in the appeal process. He had an overwhelming amount of support, hell I even went to his site to buy a hat. Now I'm glad I didn't find one I liked. NA$CAR just successfully removed the backbone from yet another driver. Brad your next!! NASCAR loses too, their strong arm tactics and manipulation exposed. I say Lose-Lose.
ReplyDeleteGlad this stupid thing is over but Denny's refusal to pay is a joke. If Mr. Gibbs and FedEx said pay or don't drive it would be a different story. Bet Denny's tone would have changed. It's easy to stick to your guns when someone else is willing to pay.
ReplyDeleteNothing like a little high level arm twisting to keep the troops inline. Welcome to corporate America.
ReplyDeleteI AM PISSED OFF AT THE MEDIA FOLLOWING NASCAR- PLEASE READ !!!!!!!!!!!!( You should all be ashamed for saying the drivers will not give you an honest opinion of the new car , when you guys and gals ( Angie ) will not give your open opinion as well )
ReplyDeleteTHE DENNY HAMLIN FINE- ok first of all nascar puts fines in place on tues, not thurs.
second, yes we all know there is a lot to learn about this new car until racing returns to what us fans expect ( in line for lap after lap sucks - the core product of nascar )
third- I am not a fan of the black helicopter theory , ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IT FLOWN BY NASCAR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So here is my point- in Daytona NASCAR road in on their golden Chariot to raise money for NEWTOWN CT- the next week the biggest story of the week is the NRA sponsoring a race in TX ( I am a gun owner, and support our rights ) It is all that can be talked about on the radio just one week after making an entire city believe in your sport and several months before the race in TX.
So NASCAR listens to the radio, to the fans, to people who do not support our rights to own guns and says--- we have to change the subject, we just one week before stood behind a town who was torn down / hurt / and put into more pain than any of of could stand by a dumb ass with a gun.
So they find the first thing they can to bring fans up in arms ( pardon the saying ) to change the subject. This fine was not about anything Denny said, it was not about their core product ( Daytona SUCKED!!, Phoenix was not much better ) thank goodness there are a lot of mile and a half tracks because Vegas was decent.
SO AS FANS-- LET'S BRING UP HOW NASCAR IS ALL ABOUT THE DOLLAR AND SAYING THEY CARE AND THE NRA---------- AND SEE WHO THEY FINE THIS WEEK !!!!!!!!!!!!! ( TO CHANGE THE SUBJECT )
DENNY- I AM SORRY YOU WERE THE SCAPEGOAT , BUT THAT IS ALL YOU WERE!!!!!!!!
I HAVE BEEN A FAN FOR OVER TWENTY YEARS AND CAN READ BETWEEN THE LINES--- NOW I SEE NASCAR IS LIKE THE CIA,FBI AND HOMELAND SECURITY---- THEY KNOW HOW TO FLY A BLACK HELICOPTER AS WELL.
I hope the fans who read this page respect my opinion and might understand my point of view. I love this sport but sometimes think NASCAR does not know the difference between poop and applebutter!!!