Fox Sports says Michael Waltrip will remain as analyst

  

   Fox Sports provided The Charlotte Observer the following statement on Thursday regarding Michael Waltrip's role with the network in light of NASCAR's penalties issued to Michael Waltrip Racing for manipulating the outcome of Saturday night's Sprint Cup race at Richmond, Va.:

   “We were disappointed in the events that occurred in Richmond Saturday night, and we applaud NASCAR for acting to rectify the situation swiftly. Michael has expressed his regret over what occurred, and we believe him to be a man of integrity. As a NASCAR on FOX broadcaster, he’s demonstrated an ability to separate his roles as a driver/owner and an opinionated analyst of the sport, and we expect him to continue as an analyst for us going forward.”

Penske Racing's Tim Cindric: 'There was no conspiracy'

  Penske Racing president Tim Cindric was on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Wednesday night with host Claire B. Lang and discussed the "controversy" involving his team and Front Row Motorsports.

    Tim Cindric: "I know that NASCAR is gathering the facts about the whole situation and that's their job, that's what they have to do. But the facts from where I sit are, number one, there was no conspiracy, there was no bribe. Roger Penske is not involved in trying to manipulate the outcome of a race or what have you. In fact, the first time Roger heard any of this stuff was this afternoon. So the 'big guy' as he's called wasn't part of any discussion with any spotter. But there's a lot of discussion that goes on up on that spotter's stand. I watch the races [from] up there quite often and there's a lot of discussion, there's a lot of requests from one team to another team about, 'Hey, this is our situation, can you help us?' and that type of thing. What I've seen has been totally blown out of proportion by a radio conversation that Penske didn't have anything to do with."

    Lang: "What are you guys doing about this? Regardless of what NASCAR says do you look closer at it? Has NASCAR been in communication with you guys?"

    Cindric: "Yeah, I mean, internally, obviously, our integrity is very important to us. Roger has spent his lifetime creating the integrity that he has and the organization has. It's difficult to listen when people challenge that. There's a lot of things that you can't do to change people's opinions. The facts are there was no radio communication on our side. There was a lot of discussion over there that I really can't explain because I really don't know the basis for it. I know NASCAR is investigating that on their own so I'll let that process take its course. But what I can tell you, like I say, is that there were no offers, there were no bribes, there were no conspiracies from our end. And also the facts are that the outcome of the race and the way it affected the Chase and all that is pretty much a moot point anyway."

NAPA will "review" partnership with Michael Waltrip Racing

   Complete text of NAPA statement via Facebook on Michael Waltrip Racing:

    Dear Facebook Fans and the NAPA community,

    The actions taken by Michael Waltrip’s Racing team this past weekend leading to the penalties assessed by NASCAR, are very concerning. We are disappointed that a partner associated with our organization would make such a significant error in judgment. In addition, we have launched our own review to determine the future of our partnership with Michael Waltrip’s Racing team. The NAPA AUTO PARTS organization is proud of its long-standing NASCAR relationship. We share a passion with our customers for high quality racing and seek to determine the best course of action for our customers, NASCAR fans, and the NAPA organization.

   NAPA

Rick Hendrick: 'Jeff Gordon got robbed'

   In a brief statement provided via text message to the Charlotte Observer on Tuesday morning, Hendrick Motorsports team owner Rick Hendrick said he was just as mad as his driver, Jeff Gordon, over the penalties NASCAR handed down Monday night regarding Michael Waltrip Racing's attempt to manipulate the outcome of Saturday night's race at Richmond, Va.

   Hendrick went on to say, "Jeff Gordon got robbed. On to the Chase and try to win it."

   NASCAR Monday night penalized the MWR organization and effectively removed its driver Martin Truex Jr. from the 12-driver Chase and added Ryan Newman, who was leading Saturday night's race until MWR driver Clint Bowyer's solo spin with seven laps remaining brought out a caution.

   Gordon, and his wife, Ingrid Vandebosch, posted several messages on Twitter following NASCAR's announcement expressing their displeasure with the decision. Gordon was in position to make the Chase in the closing laps by finishing in the Top 10 in points but with MWR's cars pitting and pulling off the track and losing positions Joey Logano ended up with claiming a position in the Top 10, leaving Gordon out.

   "Feel bad for Truex. He got in under controversy now out due to it. But the guy who started all of this not effected at all??? Don't agree!" Gordon tweeted.

   Responding to a fan's outcry of the decision, Vandebosch tweeted, "Yep, Joke it is!!!!" 

   Gordon went on to say, even he was taken out of the equation, he didn't agree with NASCAR effectively allowing Bowyer to contend for the series championship with no further penalty.

NASCAR President Mike Helton addresses MWR penalties

                                      
NASCAR President Mike Helton's opening statement to Monday night's press conference:

"We're here to talk about NASCAR's reaction today to Michael Waltrip Racing following the Richmond event this past weekend, and as we typically do following the race in reviewing what might have happened there, we've spent the last day and a half or so collecting all the factual information we could, video, audio, timing and scoring information, and what other pieces were available to us.

"Today we reviewed all that collectively, a group from NASCAR did that. We invited Michael Waltrip Racing, who accepted that invitation to come to the R & D Center and sit with us to talk about from their perspective what unfolded at Richmond Saturday night, and from all of that, the conclusion is in front of you," he said.

"Today we're announcing that NASCAR is reacting to Michael Waltrip Racing by fining Michael Waltrip, owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, $300,000, suspending Ty Norris indefinitely, and each team of Michael Waltrip Racing will be fined 50 owner points and 50 driver points. This naturally is a very significant reaction from NASCAR. As multiple car owners have become a very positive integral part of our support, also comeswith it, though, responsibility from NASCAR and as well the car owners, to maintain a fair and level playing field.

"We've discussed, we've talked about what‑ifs over the years, particularly since the Chase was established, particularly with the evolution of multiple‑car teams, and we've been very fortunate that we've not had any occurrences that required NASCAR to step up or step out, as we have had to today. It's difficult. It's not an easy decision to make. Conversations about it were deep. We feel like we researched it extremely well, talked at great length with the folks from Michael Waltrip Racing to try to get to the right spot and make the correct decision, and that's what we feel like we have done."

Rockingham Speedway loses NASCAR race; failed to meet 'obligations'

   NASCAR statement:

   DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Sept. 9, 2013) – NASCAR announced today the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East event scheduled for Rockingham (N.C.) Speedway on Saturday, Nov. 2 has been cancelled.

   The race at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Ga., on Friday, Oct. 18 now will be the season ending points race. The event is part of the 16th annual Petite Le Mans weekend for American LeMans Series.

   It is unfortunate any time a race must be cancelled,” said George Silbermann, NASCAR vice president, regional and touring. “However, the race track failed to meet its obligations and we were forced to terminate the sanction agreement. We look forward to a great race weekend at Road Atlanta to culminate the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season and crown the 2013 champion.”

Check out the in-car video of Clint Bowyer's controversial spin

  
   Take a look at the in-car video and listen to the audio of what took place when Clint Bowyer spun out with seven of 400 laps remaining in Saturday night's Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway. 

   Ryan Newman was leading the race at the time and would have clinched a spot in the Chase. With Edwards winning the race, Bowyer's teammate, Martin Truex Jr., earned the last wild card spot.

   You make the call.