France: No Fines Coming For Keselowski

NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France confirmed today that the sanctioning body will not fine defending Sprint Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski for critical comments made after Saturday night’s NRA 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.

After NASCAR confiscated rear end parts from both Penske Racing Fords prior to Saturday night’s race, Keselowski accused the sanctioning body of targeting his Penske Racing team in pre- and post-race technical inspections. “The things I've seen over the last seven days have me questioning everything that I believe in,” he said. “I feel like we've been targeted… more than I've ever seen a team targeted.”

In a televised interview with FOX Business centering on the sport’s new Green Initiatives, France denied that allegation, and said Keselowski will not be fined for his comments.

"That's the beauty of NASCAR,” he said. “We allow the drivers to express themselves in that way, even if they say things that we disagree with. I certainly disagree with everything he said, but look, they’re frustrated. This is the most intense racing in the world and it’s not surprising that every once in a while, (when) things don't go your way, you blow off a lot of steam."

France said Keselowski’s comments were fundamentally different than those that earned Denny Hamlin a $25,000 fine last month, since they did not disparage the competition.

"The line that we draw is you can't criticize the racing product," said France. "You can criticize our decisions… which is more than any other sport might allow. But just don't go (saying that) our racing product isn't the best in the world, because it is."