Thursday afternoon brought a quick - yet untidy - resolution to the standoff between NASCAR and driver Denny Hamlin over the $25,000 penalty assessed to Hamlin for making what NASCAR considered "disparaging remarks" about the on-track competition following the Sprint Cup race two weeks ago at Phoenix.
Hamlin on Thursday dropped plans to appeal the penalty but still vowed not to pay the fine. NASCAR will instead, per its rulebook, take the money from Hamlin's race winnings or points fund earnings.
Statement from Hamlin:
"After a lot of thought I have decided not to appeal the fine NASCAR has issued. Dragging myself, my team and NASCAR through the mud for the next 2 weeks would not be good for anyone. I firmly believe I am in the right on this issue and will stand behind my decision not to pay. 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 statement:
"NASCAR announced today that the $25,000 fine assessed to driver Denny Hamlin on
March 7 will be settled per Section 12-3 of the 2013 NASCAR rule book after
being informed by Hamlin that he will not appeal the penalty. Hamlin was fined
after the sanctioning body determined he had violated Section 12-1 (actions
detrimental to stock car racing). NASCAR considers this matter closed."
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Forbes' list of the highest paid NASCAR drivers
Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads the way for the fifth straight year as NASCAR's highest paid driver, according to this year's rankings put out by Forbes.
It may or may not surprise you to know Earnhardt's three Hendrick Motorsports teammates - Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Kasey Kahne - all rank in the Top 10.
Earnhardt's earnings topped $25.9 million, with off-the-track earnings of $13 million.
Read the whole story here.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
NASCAR reinstates Nationwide Series driver Jeremy Clements
Release from NASCAR:
NASCAR has reinstated driver Jeremy Clements upon the successful completion of stipulations following his indefinite suspension from NASCAR on Feb. 27 for violating the sanctioning body’s Code of Conduct policy. Clements will be on NASCAR probation until Sept. 13, 2013.
“As part of the requirements for reinstatement, Jeremy Clements participated in an individualized program with Dr. Richard Lapchick and his staff at the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations. “In Dr. Lapchick’s judgment, Jeremy has successfully completed the program. We’re pleased that Jeremy has taken these important steps and will return to racing starting this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway.”
NASCAR has reinstated driver Jeremy Clements upon the successful completion of stipulations following his indefinite suspension from NASCAR on Feb. 27 for violating the sanctioning body’s Code of Conduct policy. Clements will be on NASCAR probation until Sept. 13, 2013.
“As part of the requirements for reinstatement, Jeremy Clements participated in an individualized program with Dr. Richard Lapchick and his staff at the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations. “In Dr. Lapchick’s judgment, Jeremy has successfully completed the program. We’re pleased that Jeremy has taken these important steps and will return to racing starting this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway.”
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Check out NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon's wild ride
Four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Seires champion Jeff Gordon and sponsor Pepsi MAX go to a car dealership where a disguised Gordon takes an unsuspecting car salesman on the test drive of his life.
I'm thinking he won't forget this one!
I'm thinking he won't forget this one!
You can own a piece of a Brad Keselowski burnout
Miller Lite and Brad Keselowski have teamed up to auction off a unique piece of NASCAR memorabilia. On March 6 at a MillerCoors Distributor Convention, Brad performed a traditional “burnout” for fans in the Orlando World Center, leaving his mark on the carpet on the way out.
Fans can own their very own “burnout” by bidding on one of 10 individual pieces of the carpet that feature the tire marks of the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion. Each item will be 2'x1' and will include an 8"x10" photo of the No. 2 Blue Deuce after the burnout signed by Brad.
All of the proceeds of the eBay auction will benefit Brad’s Checkered Flag Foundation.
All of the proceeds of the eBay auction will benefit Brad’s Checkered Flag Foundation.
To get to the auction, click here.
Monday, March 11, 2013
Dale Earnhardt Jr. adjusts Nationwide schedule
JR Motorsports general manager Kelley Earnhardt Miller announced Monday a change in NASCAR Nationwide Series schedules for drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kasey Kahne.
Earnhardt Jr. was previously scheduled to race in the May 4 race at Talladega Superspeedway as part of his four-race Nationwide slate in 2013. Now, he will compete in the Sept. 14 race at Chicagoland Speedway instead. In turn, Kahne will now compete at Talladega as part of his 11-race line-up in 2013. Both drivers will compete in Great Clips-sponsored Chevrolets – Earnhardt in the No. 88 Camaro and Kahne in the No. 5.
“Kasey and I were chatting about our Nationwide Series schedules, and I was looking for more track time at a place like Chicago,” said Earnhardt Jr. “Kasey mentioned how he would love a shot at winning at Talladega.
"One of our 2013 goals at JR Motorsports is to be a better asset to Hendrick Motorsports. For me personally, this scheduling change helps us do just that.”
Friday, March 8, 2013
Hey NASCAR, if you can't say something nice ...
Consistency has never been one of NASCAR’s strong suits.
Trying to figure why one driver’s actions result in a certain penalty while another’s do not under similar circumstances can be frustrating.
That frustration arises again in the case of a $25,000 fine levied on Denny Hamlin this week for what NASCAR called “disparaging remarks” about the on-track competition in last Sunday’s Sprint Cup race at Phoenix.
The fine, though, isn't the most troubling issue.
Hamlin's comments – he said it was hard to pass in the new model Cup series car – were innocuous at best. NASCAR’s own telemetry showed there were 40 percent fewer green-flag passes for the lead in the Phoenix race than a year ago.
The message from NASCAR was clearer: The governing body will not tolerate any negative comments about its new Cup car, which it refers to as “Generation 6.”
Repeatedly since late last fall, NASCAR has trotted out members of its competition department at various tests of the new car to talk about the car’s progress. Repeatedly, drivers at those tests were brought into media centers to talk about the new car.
The reviews were uniformly glowing. And NASCAR penalizing Hamlin suggests none of them can be trusted.
If no one is allowed to speak negatively about the car, who can reasonably believe any answer is genuine?
The answer is you can’t.
But I have the solution.
In other words, if you can only say something nice, whether it's
true or not, just say nothing at all.
Trying to figure why one driver’s actions result in a certain penalty while another’s do not under similar circumstances can be frustrating.
That frustration arises again in the case of a $25,000 fine levied on Denny Hamlin this week for what NASCAR called “disparaging remarks” about the on-track competition in last Sunday’s Sprint Cup race at Phoenix.
The fine, though, isn't the most troubling issue.
Hamlin's comments – he said it was hard to pass in the new model Cup series car – were innocuous at best. NASCAR’s own telemetry showed there were 40 percent fewer green-flag passes for the lead in the Phoenix race than a year ago.
The message from NASCAR was clearer: The governing body will not tolerate any negative comments about its new Cup car, which it refers to as “Generation 6.”
Repeatedly since late last fall, NASCAR has trotted out members of its competition department at various tests of the new car to talk about the car’s progress. Repeatedly, drivers at those tests were brought into media centers to talk about the new car.
The reviews were uniformly glowing. And NASCAR penalizing Hamlin suggests none of them can be trusted.
If no one is allowed to speak negatively about the car, who can reasonably believe any answer is genuine?
The answer is you can’t.
But I have the solution.
- NASCAR should stop trotting in officials at tests or during race weekends to tell us how the car is progressing. We know what they'll say.
- Drivers should stop answering questions about the new car. We know what they'll say.
- And the media (myself included) should stop asking questions about the competitiveness of the new car. We already know the answer.
In other words, if you can only say something nice, whether it's
true or not, just say nothing at all.
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