Has NASCAR Entered a ‘Fine’ Mess with Hamlin Penalty?

Photo Credit: Chris Graythen/NASCAR via Getty Images

When it comes to a national stock car organization, NASCAR is the only game in North America. At the top of the motorsport world in the United States (and closely residing at the top of the world), the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is the destination where many drivers want to compete. Attracting large crowds and thereby big sponsorship dollars, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is a sports venue that also gains considerable media attention. The sharp sixth-generation stock car design (known casually as the Gen 6) has been a major grab for attention as the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup season began in Daytona.

Through decades, a number of charismatic drivers were credited for bringing personality to the sport. Supportive of the sport of NASCAR, there have been moments where drivers or other figures have vocalized displeasure for rules and circumstances. Richard Petty, Bobby Allison, Darrell Waltrip and in recent years Tony Stewart were some of the more memorable contributors to rich characters in NASCAR. Before becoming the 2002 NASCAR Cup Series champion (repeating the feat two times since), Stewart was known for candid remarks calling out tire supplier Goodyear and one infamous moment where is got into a confrontation with a photographer. Tony Stewart would also voice a grievance for NASCAR mandating head and neck support systems in 2001. While Stewart’s personality has cooled from its firey drive could be the result of being a series champion and, now a car owner, the overall attitude in the garage has been muffled by a more aggressive policing for what is said by members of the sport of NASCAR.

Since the start of the 2000s however, NASCAR is effective in self-promoting itself negotiating its television contracts and other broadcast. Wanting to make sure the sport of stock car racing receives the same creditability as other entrenched organization such as Major League Baseball or the National Football League, NASCAR has been playing a balancing act ensuring personalities will promote the sport but remain distinct. A few seasons ago, NASCAR promoted a “Have at it Boys!” mentality in the Sprint Cup Series signalling the sanctioning body wanted to encourage drivers to freely express their winning desire without fear of judgement over race confrontation. Limited mostly to “on-race day activity”, the policy would be contrasted by another set of rules that would oppose the nature of the “Have at it Boys!” cause. Since 2010, some reporters took notice at a process where NASCAR was fining drivers in a less-than public fashion for personal conduct matters. Brad Keselowski and Ryan Newman were among some receiving so-called “secret fines” for actions NASCAR deemed negative to the sport. On Thursday, the “secret fine” has turned very publicized when NASCAR slammed the driver of the #11 FedEx Toyota Camry Denny Hamlin with a $25,000 penalty for comments made regarding the new race car specifications labelled under the “Gen 6 car”.

NASCAR Quotes believed to be linked to the NASCAR fine against Denny Hamlin were posted by in a SpeedTV article by Mike Hembree originating from last weekend‘s Sprint Cup race at Phoenix International Raceway. “I don't want to be the pessimist, but it did not race as good as our Generation-Five (Car of Tomorrow) cars. This is more like what the Generation-Five was at the beginning. The teams hadn’t figured out how to get the aero balance right. Right now, you just run single-file, and you cannot get around the guy in front of you. You would have placed me in 20th-place with 30 (laps) to go, I would have stayed there. I wouldn't have moved up. It's just one of those things where track position is everything.”, was an excerpt of Hamlin’s comments. Denny Hamlin’s comments also decried the use of Goodyear tires he says are too hard to race comfortably at Phoenix International Raceway.




Photo Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Denny Hamlin‘s penalty in this young 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup season results from Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) of the NASCAR Rulebook. A purposely-vague section in the rather mystic rulebook of the powerful sport, Section 12-1 had been used to penalize misbehaviour of drivers and other team members involved in the stock car racing organization. In a recently dramatic use in 2011, Section 12-1 gave the sanctioning body to park Kyle Busch for the fall NASCAR Nationwide and Sprint Cup at Texas Motor Speedway.

This is the second known occasion where Hamlin has been hit with a penalty for remarks made around or about NASCAR. In 2010, Denny Hamlin was fined for apparently posting comments on Twitter questioning a debris caution during a Chicagoland Speedway NASCAR Nationwide Series event. Hamlin received a $50,000 on that occasion.

Issuing the recent fine, NASCAR called Denny Hamlin‘s comments as, “disparaging remarks about the on-track racing” in their media release. NASCAR suggested that the making opinions of the Gen 6 car public “denigrate the racing product.” Criticism by competitors was not always deemed a finable offence. Until the introduction of common vehicle measurements in 2003, disputes regarding race cars were part of weekly discussions on and off the track. Especially through the 1990s, it was commonplace for teams of certain manufacturers to publicly protest to being at an unfair advantage in comparison to another car make. With Chevrolet, Ford and Pontiac race cars making up the NASCAR Cup Series garage, there was always an argument to add spoiler, remove spoiler or change some dimension to “level the playing field”. This lobbying created contentious fights whenever a driver or two of a single auto brand won. These battles over NASCAR Cup car rule changes were loud and very public. Ultimately, the basis of every NASCAR stock car created since (including the current Gen 6 vehicle) were forged from the extensive, never-ending complaints from drivers, teams and even fans tiring of any perceived inequality in the series.

In the 2007 season, the introduction of the so-called Car of Tomorrow (or COT) was inaugurated into NASCAR Sprint Cup competition with its own share of criticism. Winning the first race with the new spec stock car at the spring Bristol race, Kyle Busch said flatly the car “sucks”. Living up to its promise for being a step-up for safety over the previous race vehicle specifications, the COT’s target for reducing competition costs have not been realized or promises for improved racing. Visually, the COT cars appeared and behaved more like oversized golf carts than stock car vehicles. Perhaps thanks to open complaints about the COT race car, changes resulted such as the wildly unpopular rear wing giving way to a more conventional spoiler. In fact, the Gen 6 body styles were likely influenced heavily by the debate arising publicly about the COT.

Attempting to control the message of the sport by fining a driver, NASCAR’s choice to levy a fine against Denny Hamlin has largely backfired against the sanctioning body. A majority of NASCAR fans have even pledged support behind Denny Hamlin whether or not stood behind the driver in series. At the Las Vegas event this weekend, one fan in the garage area held a sign reading “Free Speech”. On message boards, resounding praise is behind Hamlin who has since Thursday announced he is appealing the penalty. As the “secret fines” are now readily known, fans also remember other moments where similar and more pointed comments were made without action from NASCAR.

Listening to driver interviews during the early part of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway round, it is clear the message has been crystal clear that NASCAR is suppressing such “disparaging” comments about anything negative. Attempts by some members of the media to test drivers’ opinions on the Gen 6 car has been answered like a pre-written statement calling track conditions and other variables as factors for race competition. Two retired stock car drivers who were known for ruffling feathers during their time as NASCAR stars, presented interesting comments. “I’m going to stand behind Denny on this one. Just because it’s NASCAR’s ball and their ballpark and they make the rules doesn’t necessarily mean that there can be censorship, and there appears to be a lot of censorship in this fine.,” said Kyle Petty in a SpeedTV-posted article supporting Hamlin. Well-known son of Richard Petty, Kyle in his time ran a black “protest car” following the Coca-Cola 600 race where he was penalized for rough driving. On the other side of the argument, 84-time Cup Series winner turned NASCAR on Fox personality Darrell Waltrip likened the NASCAR fine to penalties in other sports. On Twitter, Waltrip wrote, “other leagues fine coaches and players for complaining about officiating and league officials, why should NASCAR be any different?” Several tweets replied to Darrell Waltrip noting this Hamlin’s penalty was not a matter of deputing officiating but rather the equipment used to play the sport. Denny Hamlin’s comments compare to noting an under-inflated basketball or sloppy ice conditions at a hockey arena if the cooling equipment failed.

In regards to the Gen 6 car, it will probably be a mere matter of time when drivers, teams as well as the sanctioning body realize how to make the Chevrolet SS and Ford Fusion race cars a more exciting vehicle in competition. They look wonderful but even the fans are under-whelmed by the overall racing product for the moment with the Gen 6. True NASCAR fans understand that and have not seen Denny Hamlin’s comments as anything other than honesty confirming suspicions. Most people prefer an honest answer to “spin”. NASCAR’s attempt to control the message of the sport is an overreaction and sends a less than honourable statement on how they are overstepping bounds for healthy competition.

In this case in issuing a fine to Denny Hamlin, NASCAR could be the one guilty party for performing actions detrimental to stock car racing.

Hendrick Motorsports 48 Team Daytona Penalties Stand After Appeal

Photo Credit: Tom Pennington/Getty Images for NASCAR

While many in the racing world have been able to move on from 2012 Daytona International Speedway Speedweeks that ended in dramatic fashion with the most bizarre Daytona 500 on record, the #48 Chevrolet, piloted by Jimmie Johnson and fielded by Hendrick Motorsports have somewhat been captive by actions that occurred more than 3 weeks ago. On Tuesday, the Hendrick Motorsports #48 team approached the National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel in an effort to bring more beneficial closure to their Speedweeks nightmare.

Going back to Saturday, February 17th at the Daytona International Speedway, the #48 Chevrolet Impala was deemed to have a roof C-pillar post out of conformity with the strict NASCAR tolerances. While the #48 Hendrick Motorsport team and driver Jimmie Johnson were able to proceed through the remainder of Daytona Speedweeks once their NASCAR Sprint Cup vehicle was replaced. Bringing back memories of the 2006 season where the #48 team was penalized for failing pre-race inspection. Unlike the 2006 Daytona 500 where Johnson won without his regular crew chief, Chad Knaus was allowed to stay with the team for the 2012 Daytona 500 as the penalty for the C-post issue would not be assessed until following the event.

When the penalty was handed down by NASCAR, the #48 Hendrick Motorsport driver and team first received a hefty points reduction of 25 points apiece. NASCAR also suspended car chief Ron Melac and #48 car crew chief Chad Knaus for six races in addition to probation until May 9th. Knaus was also assessed a $100,000 monetary fine.

Hendrick Motorsports immediately filed an appeal of the NASCAR penalties stemming from the failure in technical inspection at Daytona. Appearing in front of the three-member National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel consisting of John Capels, Leo Mehl and Dan Pinilis, the case for the #48 Hendrick Motorsports team was heard with the team expressing confidence they could prevail. NASCAR countered in the appeal with representation from the Research and Development describing the infaction as well as the reason for the penalties.

Photo Credit: Nigel Kinrade/Autostock

Unanimously, the three-judge panel decided to uphold all the original penalties levied against the #48 Chevrolet team. “The panel was generous with its time today, and we appreciated the opportunity to talk through our concerns,” said the car co-owner Rick Hendrick in a press transcript after the appeal decision in front of the three-member panel. A final avenue for appeal by the #48 Hendrick Motorsports team exists with the National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel chief appellate John Middlebrook. Affirming a commitment to the crew of his race team, Hendrick stated  "But we’re going to go ahead to the next level and present our case one more time. So I stand firmly behind our guys." When asked why not accept the panel's decision, a defiant Rick Hendrick stated directly, "I don’t accept it. Period."

No date has yet been set for hearing the final appeal of Hendrick Motorsports. With the final appeal pending, the #48 Chevrolet will still be operating as usual at this weekend's race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Crew chief Chad Knaus and car chief Ron Malec will be present with Jimmie Johnson's car.

Kyle Busch's Expensive Bird: NASCAR Penalizes Driver for Obscenity

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Finishing 32nd place in the AAA Texas 500, it is evident the Kyle Busch and the #18 Joe Gibbs Racing did not experience a noteworthy third-last race of the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. However, actions conducted by the #18 Toyota team's driver would not allow this poor finish to be forgotten. Tuesday following the event, Kyle Busch was assessed a monetary penalty of $25,000. Along with probation for the final two races, an incident deemed by NASCAR Rule Book as a violation of section 12-1 called actions detrimental to stock car racing comes as a result of an obscene gesture.

On the 159th lap of the 500 mile race, the #18 Toyota of Kyle Busch was spun on track. Without suffering any damage but requiring pit road service, Busch attempted to beat the pace car who was coming up to lap the M&Ms Toyota. Racing off pace car for what originally appeared to be a small victory for the Joe Gibbs Racing team, NASCAR determined the #18 car was speeding out of pit road. Unhappy, Kyle Busch and Co. was called back to the pit stall to receive a 1-lap penalty. It was in serving this penalty  In actions many saw as brazen show of disrespect, Kyle Busch flipped off a NASCAR official while serving a pit road penalty during Sunday's AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motors Speedway. Unimpressed, NASCAR handed the driver a 2-lap penalty within the race. Without the concept of double jeopardy, NASCAR proceeded to reprimand Busch two days later with this recent fine.

Known by the nickname of "Rowdy" after mirroring the firey, fictional character in Days of Thunder years ago racing a #51 truck at Charlotte, Kyle Busch's 'play-to-win' persona has brought art to life. Such a driven racer, the younger Busch has shown at times lacking patience with other competitors and on occasion being discourteous particularly to media. However as of late, the 27-year old Joe Gibbs Racing was showing a more mature side up until the Sunday afternoon incident.

On Kyle Busch's Facebook page, the #18 Joe Gibbs Racing driver issued a statement calling himself out for his actions.

“I accept NASCAR’s penalty and realize what I did during Sunday’s race at Texas was inappropriate.



“Even in my relatively short time here in NASCAR, it’s pretty obvious to everyone that I wear my emotions on my sleeve. Sometimes that passion has allowed me to find that little something extra I needed to win, and other times it’s made me cross the line. Sunday at Texas was one of those days.


“I lost my cool, plain and simple. It’s not acceptable, and I know that. I apologize to NASCAR, its fans, all the partners who support Joe Gibbs Racing, and all the people who work so hard to give me a racecar that’s capable of winning races every week. All of those people deserve better from me, and I owe it to them to keep my emotions in check.”


While the driver has sufficiently spoken on his conduct, the Joe Gibbs Racing website neglected to share any details of the actual incident. Kyle Busch's race team's post race report for Texas merely called the incident "Subsequent penalties imposed by NASCAR..".

As NASCAR has encouraged drivers to maintain their personalities, incidents such as the one present with Kyle Busch's public and profane display are not going unwatched by the stock car sanctioning body. In fact, it has been rumoured that multiple NASCAR drivers were secretly fined for their conduct on and off the track. Even comments made on social networking site like Facebook and Twitter are under NASCAR scrutiny.

All monetary intake from NASCAR fines are directed to the NASCAR Foundation charity.

Bowyer and #33 RCR Team Slammed with Big Penalty Following Big Win



Photo Credit: Jim McIsaac/ Getty Images for NASCAR


Last Sunday's Sylvania 300 NASCAR Sprint Cup event at New Hampshire International Speedway had all the fireworks needed in a first race of ten in the 2010 NASCAR Chase for the Cup. Tension on track, a meltdown by some Chase contenders and the rise of other Chase drivers. Through a fuel mileage gamble, Clint Bowyer and the #33 Richard Childress Racing team were on top of the world as they collectively propelled their team's Chevrolet to victory. However, three days after the celebration for the team which which fought to hold on to the final 12th place spot to make the Chase, the #33 team received news Wednesday afternoon from NASCAR reversing the organization's pride after Loudon, New Hampshire.

Dating back to post-race inspection at the previous race of Richmond, NASCAR measured an area of the #33 Chevrolet being out of the allotted tolererances. Penalized in relations to rule violations relating to non-conforming race equipment and for having an area of the race car exceeding maximum measurement.

Docking 150 points from driver Clint Bowyer as well as the #33 team, the punishment had a further-reaching impact on their Richard Childress Racing team suspending crew chief Shane Wilson and car chief Chad Haney for 6 Sprint Cup race events. Wilson is also on the hook for a monetary fine of $150,000 penalty as responsible for the #33 Chevy. As a final dishonour, the winning #33 Chevrolet has been confiscated by NASCAR for further study as their R&D facility. Sounding like a harsh sentence handed down by the stock car racing sanctioning body, this penalty is consistent with a similar 150-point punishment levied against the #1 car of then-DEI on a roof height infraction after the July Daytona event in 2008.

Reacting to the news through the team's official website, team owner Richard Childress admirably shared embarrassment for the NASCAR decision. “First of all, I’d like to apologize to our sponsors, our fans and everyone at RCR for the situation that has resulted from this ruling. RCR has a long-standing reputation of integrity on and off the race track. We pride ourselves on working within the rules established by the sanctioning body." Childress went on to state that the rule infraction regarded a measurement 6/100th (.060) of an inch off NASCAR baseline. Equating to just 0.0025 inches outside of the rules, the car owner disputes that the #33 car out of spec measurement (which resided just outside of the 1/16 inch tolerances) was the result of damage on the track.  

With points deducted from the reset Chase points standings, it does seem interesting why NASCAR had announced the rule violation after more than a week and a half following the Richmond event. Sealing his valuable Chase spot by only 98 points ahead of Ryan Newman, if points were deducted prior to the New Hampshire event the #33 Chevrolet would have been logically dropped from the 2010 NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup in favour of the #39 team piloted by Newman. Regarding Chase qualification like a win (which NASCAR never considers taking away from a driver and team even when rule violations aree found) NASCAR's Robin Pemberton states "For now we'll leave the winners as they come off the racetrack, and we will fine people accordingly as we do throughout the year."