The field is set for the 2013 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race

The following drivers are already qualified to participate in Saturday night's NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race:

Race winners
Matt Kenseth
Denny Hamlin
Carl Edwards
Tony Stewart
Brad Keselowski
Ryan Newman
Greg Biffle
Kyle Busch
Jimmie Johnson
Kasey Kahne
Joey Logano
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Clint Bowyer
Jeff Gordon
Marcos Ambrose
Kevin Harvick
David Ragan
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Previous NASCAR Sprint Cup champions
within the last 10 years
Kurt Busch
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Previous Winners of
Sprint Cup All-Star Race within the last 10 years
Mark Martin
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In addition, three others drivers will join the field - the top two finishers in the Sprint Showdown and the winner of the Sprint Fan Vote.

That will make a total of 22 entries.

Q&A with NASCAR President Mike Helton on appeals process

   NASCAR President Mike Helton took questions from a group of reporters on Friday about the two appeals decided this past week which reduced or eliminated NASCAR penalties assessed to both Penske Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing.
 

  Q: What is your reaction to the two appeal decisions this week?

   Helton: "It kind of is what it is now.  The thing that we all need to remind ourselves is it’s not us against them or them against us, it’s us doing our job and them doing their job.  We reacting to something that we find are not in tolerances that are spelled out.  Our due process is as strong as any in sports and it takes its course.  We’ve had a lot of activity through that due process recently.  It can come out in any way, but that’s what due process is all for.  I will say that every one of them has an opportunity to gain experience and we’ve done a lot of that recently.”

   Q: Does this undermine your authority?
   Helton: “I don’t think so.  I think the members that are involved in the sport, the team owners, the supplies, the OEMs understand our responsibility and how seriously we take it and I don’t feel like this in any way undermines what we do.  In most cases the processes don’t come back with anything that really changes our mind much.  We do our job and the due process exists for the members to have an opportunity for others to listen to it and the decisions are made that way.”

   Q: Would NASCAR react the same way next time in the same situation?
   Helton: “Yeah, when it comes and we’ve had a lot of activity going on this week, but across the board I think we put a lot of thought into our reaction to start with.  Every time something like this occurs, we put a lot of thought into it.  The circumstances of each element are so different that it’s due that respect.  When we do make a decision, it’s well thought out and we’ll stick by our decision also understanding that the due process has the opportunity to change that.”

   Q: Does the JGR situation make it complicated if a Hendrick engine in a Hendrick car has a problem?
   Helton: “First of all, I don’t know that we know exactly what the appeal members were thinking, but from the experience as I mentioned earlier, if there’s a way for us to be more precise in changing wording or adding wording to a rule so that the clarity of what we feel like our responsibility is translated to the member and is obvious to anybody from the outside looking at it, I think that’s where we benefit and the sport benefits from that experience.”
    “I think we’ve got quite a bit of evidence in clearing up things.”

   Q: Do you have any thoughts from Ryan Newman’s comments and how to keep the Gen-6 cars on the ground?

   Helton: “I haven’t personally talked to Ryan Newman, but I also think that the evidence would support my statement that there is nothing more important to us in this sport than safety.  The incident that occurred at Talladega with the 78 and 39 is something that we have the opportunity to take a look at, but the interpretation of what might have happened in that is up for debate I guess as it was delivered by the driver of the 39 car.”

 

   Q: What does the last two weeks say about the independence of the appeal process?

   Helton: “I will leave that to you all to decide.  We are the authors of the appeal process so we know its intent, but I would leave the others to define whether it works right or not.”

 

   "We’ve had a lot of appeals.  We’ve had a lot of them upheld and we’ve had some that have been tweaked in some form or fashion through the due process and that’s why it’s there.”

 

   Q: How can you find out what the appeals panel was thinking so you can be more accurate in your penalties in the future?

   Helton: “I think first of all the integrity of the appeal process needs to be maintained as its independent of the regulating arm of NASCAR.  Like I said earlier, we do learn from the appeal process as to how we may be able to write or be more clear so that you can show a third party why we reacted the way we reacted.  I think the biggest part is that it’s part of our process.  The appeal process is just part of our sport just like the officiating and the regulating has been ever since its existence.”

 

   Q: Where is the line for a driver to get fined for comments?

   Helton: “We’ve told our drivers all along that you can challenge us, you can challenge NASCAR and our calls or us to a certain extent now whether or not this was pushed to the edge or not, that’s been debated.  What you cannot do is criticize the product.  Our determination in Ryan’s case was that he was challenging us.  That’s what he was doing.”

   Q: Is NASCAR happy with Middlebrook?
    Helton: "You started this whole thing by saying the perception and I would leave that with you to start with.  We’re content with our appeal process that it’s designed to be independent, it’s designed to have layers to it and the personalities involved are those that we chose to be involved.”

   Q: Will the rule book be thicker next year?
   Helton: “It gets thicker anyway, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be thicker to be clearer.  I think there is evidence at NASCAR, particularly in the last decade or so to try to be more clear with things.  Every experience we go through gives us the ability to understand what more clear means.”

   Q: What do you want to be more clear from this experience?
   Helton: “Everything.  These are, the recent appeals are around specific parts and pieces, but around the engine area I think all of motorsports from go-karts to the grassroots level to the weekly tracks to all the national series that exist, engines are understood to be in that holy grail bucket and we need to be sure that we maintain the responsibility around the engine to be shared by the competitors because it’s not realistic for us to take a motor down in advance of an event like it is to measure parts and pieces that we can do that are visible to us.  The motor is something that we cannot break apart until after the event is over with.  The entire industry has historically and will continue to share the responsibility in that engine being correct.”

   “I don’t agree that an element has been stripped out of it with the rule making process or our ability to rule the sport.  It’s part of the due process and that’s how we look at it.”

   Q: Did the Newman bar work in the Talladega accident?
   Helton: “Both drivers walked out of the care center on their own so I would say that from that aspect of it, it worked.  Robin and those guys will look at all the incidents that occur every weekend to see what we can improve and make better.”


  

Kenseth happy with result of team's appeal

    Matt Kenseth said Friday the penalties remaining following his Joe Gibbs Racing team’s appeal are “way more in line” with what he considered appropriate for the engine violation found after his win at Kansas.

   A three-member appeals panel unanimously agreed to cut Kenseth’s points penalty from 50 to 12 points and reduce crew chief Jason Ratcliff’s suspension from six races to one. Wally Brown will serve as Kenseth’s Cup crew chief this weekend.

   “You never want to have a penalty and don’t want yourself to be in that position,” Kenseth said. “I’m happy it got reduced. I was pretty crushed before it got reduced.”

   NASCAR originally issued a $200,000 fine and six-week suspension to Ratcliff; docked Kenseth 50 driver points; and suspended the owner’s license of the No.20 car for six weeks after the car failed routine inspection following his Kansas win last month. Kenseth also was barred from using the win to make the Chase and the pole he won would not count toward eligibility for the 2014 Sprint Unlimited race. Toyota also was docked five manufacturer points.

   After the ruling, Kenseth moved from 11th to fourth in the Sprint Cup Series standings, 64 points behind leader Jimmie Johnson.

Read more here: http://www.thatsracin.com/2013/05/08/105528/nascar-panel-reduces-jgr-penalties.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.thatsracin.com/2013/05/08/105528/nascar-panel-reduces-jgr-penalties.html#storylink=cpy

Who's doing what at Penske Racing until June

   Due to the recent penalties announced by NASCAR regarding the No. 2 and 22 Penske Racing teams, Penske Racing has made the following roster adjustments for the Darlington and Charlotte races.

 

 Team Manager: Mike Nelson, currently Vice President of Operations, will fulfill this role

 No. 2 Miller Lite Ford Fusion:

   Crew Chief: Kevin Buskirk

   - Buskirk, a former driver and crew chief, joined Penske racing prior to the 2012 season. He currently manages the test teams for Penske Racing.
   Race Engineer: Jonathan Hassler
   -  Hassler, served as the lead engineer for the No. 22 Sprint Cup Series team last season and helped the No. 22 Nationwide Series team earn six victories in 2011.
   Car Chief: Nick Hensley
   - Hensley, has worked with Penske Racing since 2007 and has worked with the No. 2 team since the 2011 season.
  

No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford Fusion:
   Crew Chief: Steve Reis
   - Reis, who normally serves as one of the team’s engineers, has been with Penske Racing since 2009 and has been with the No. 22 team since 2011. Before, he served as the race engineer on the No. 77 Penske Racing Sprint Cup team
   Race Engineer: Ben Atkins
   - Atkins is an engineer with Penske Racing and worked with Todd Gordon during the 2011 season.
   Car Chief: Jeffery Thousand
   - Thousand, who has been with Penske Racing for close to twenty years, served as the car chief for the No. 22 through last season.

    Note: Greg Erwin, Sam Hornish Jr.’s crew chief in the Nationwide Series, will sit atop the pit box on race day for the Shell-Pennzoil team and serve as a race strategist. Erwin will continue in his role as Sam Hornish’ s crew chief in the Nationwide Series.

Appeals Panel reduces Joe Gibbs Racing penalties

National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel Statement

 (May 8, 2013)

   The National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel today heard and considered the appeal of the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team.

   The penalties concern Sections 12-1: Actions detrimental to stock car racing; 12-4J: Any determination by NASCAR Officials that race equipment used in the event does not conform to the NASCAR rules detailed in Section 20 of the NASCAR rule book, or has not been approved by NASCAR prior to the event; and 20-5.5.3E: Only solid magnetic steel connecting rods with a minimum weight of 525.0 grams will be permitted. Connecting rod failed to meet minimum connecting rod weight.

   The penalties stemmed from a post-race engine inspection April 23 at the NASCAR Research and Development Center.

   The original penalties assessed to the No. 20 team were:

   · Crew chief Jason Ratcliff: Fined $200,000 and suspended from NASCAR until the completion of the next six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship point events (a period of time that also includes the non-points Sprint All-Star Race)

   · Car owner Joe Gibbs: Loss of 50 championship car owner points; the first place finish from April 21 at Kansas Speedway will not earn bonus points toward the accumulated aggregate car owner points total after the completion of the first 26 events of the current season and will not be credited towards the eligibility for a car owner wild card position; had the owner’s license for the No. 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car suspended until the completion of the next six championship point events, therefore being ineligible to receive championship car owner points during that period of time.
  
   · Driver Matt Kenseth: Loss of 50 championship driver points; the Coors Light Pole award from April 19 at Kansas Speedway will not be allowed for eligibility into the 2014 Sprint Unlimited; the first place finish from April 21 at Kansas Speedway will not earn bonus points toward the accumulated aggregate driver points total after the completion of the first 26 events of the current season and will not be credited towards the eligibility for a driver wild card position.

   · Manufacturer: The loss of five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series manufacturer championship points.

   The Appellants appealed all penalties listed above. The Appellants also requested and were granted a deferral of the suspensions until such time as the hearing could be convened.

   Upon hearing the testimony, it was a unanimous decision by the National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel to amend the original penalties assessed by NASCAR. The amendments are as follows:

   · Crew chief Jason Ratcliff: The $200,000 fine remains intact; NASCAR suspension now covers one championship points event. In addition, he will be placed on NASCAR probation until the completion of the next three championship points events following his reinstatement;

   · Car owner Joe Gibbs: Loss of championship owner points has been reduced to 12. All other components of his penalty were rescinded;

   · Driver Matt Kenseth; Loss of championship driver points has been reduced to 12. All other components of his penalty were rescinded;

   · Manufacturer: The loss of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series manufacturer championship points has been increased to seven.

   Denis Mcglynn
   Jack Housby
   Mark Arute

   Shawn Rogers – Appellate Administrator and non-voting member

Plan to party at the Coca-Cola 600

   Reigning Sprint Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski will join Matt Kenseth and Kasey Kahne, legends Bobby and Donnie Allison and team owner Joe Gibbs at an infield Pit Party sponsored by the NASCAR Hall of Fame at the Coca-Cola 600 on May 26.

   The Hall’s Pit Party will take place on pit road from 12:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. before the season’s longest race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The party will feature driver appearances, live music from national recording artist Benton Blount, concessions, racing displays and more. Access to the Pit Party is included with the purchase of a pit pass or a driver introduction pass.

   In addition to the fan forums, the party will feature vintage military vehicles and displays from the Richard Petty Driving Experience.

   Pit passes are $100 for adults, $50 for children 14-18 and free for kids 13 and under with a paying adult. Driver introduction passes are $150 for adults and $75 for kids 13 and under. Pit passes must be purchased in addition to a race ticket. Call (800) 455-3267 for more information.

Brad Keselowski's apology to David Ragan and his fans

   Open Letter On Sunday's Race At Talladega

   May 07, 2013 | by Brad Keselowski

   I finally had a chance to digest what happened at the end of the Cup race at Talladega on Sunday. I owe David Ragan and his fans an apology. I placed blame on David Ragan for the restart lineup confusion when it wasn’t his fault.

   I was very passionate about the finish because I thought we had a chance to win the race if I restarted the race in the 10th position instead of ninth. Passion is a very important characteristic to a champion driver. That passion is not something I will apologize for. The outside line – the 10th spot, in particular – was a huge advantage over the 9th position. David executed that positioning perfectly for the win.

   I know first-hand what it’s like to take a lower-budget team victory lane. My comments were never to detract from their victory. They were only to express my opinion that I thought we had been wronged.

   Basically what happened is that, when the yellow came out at lap 184 the lineup was supposed to be Scott Speed, myself and David. We were actually lined up David, Scott and me because we were unsure what the lineup was. NASCAR did not change this before opening pit road so by procedure we were lined up in the proper positions. NASCAR made a last-minute lineup change that we missed as we were getting ready to go back to green. David attempted to make it right by letting me go at the start/finish line with one to go. I thought he was attempting to change the pylon because the order is supposed to be set before pit road opens.

   With the multi-car wreck, the rain and the impending darkness it is easy to see how NASCAR could have made that mistake.

   It was a confusing time for all of us. I want to send a sincere congratulation out to David Ragan and everyone at Front Row Motorsports. It was a very cool win for our sport.

   - Brad

   UPDATE: David Ragan provided the following comment to The Observer: "I spoke with Brad today and we're cool with everything. I knew I was in the right position Sunday. I'm glad Brad sees everything the same way now."