Attachment 3369Clint Bowyer’s crew chief Brian Pattie (right), was fined and put on probation by NASCAR likely because his crew members instigated the brawl in the pits at Phoenix.
I am certain not all fans will agree with the punishments handed out by NASCAR after the “rumble in the desert” that happened at Phoenix.
That’s an understatement, for sure.
The sanctioning body dispensed penalties that ranged from somewhat severe to mild, at least in my opinion. And I think it had reason to do so.
Which is, I think, reflected in a statement from Robin Pemberton, NASCAR’s vice president of competition.
Pemberton said: “There is no doubt that a unique set of circumstances combined with a championship on the line resulted in raw emotions coming into play.
“We consider all penalties appropriate and those involved understand our decision and we expect them to abide by them.”
What this means is that NASCAR understood the frustrations that can occur during any race intensify when there is a close championship battle at the very end of a season.
Competitors are on the edge. And if they think they are pushed over that edge, emotions sometimes explode and lead to inappropriate action.
It is the sanctioning body’s task it to determine which actions are more flagrant and severe than others – which leads to a variety of penalties.
Of course, the penalties will never please everyone.
Attachment 3370Points leader Brian Keselowski was fined at Phoenix for having a cell phone in his car. He also had one in Daytona, for which he was not punished.
For purposely wrecking Clint Bowyer in the Advocare 500, NASCAR slapped Gordon with a $100,000 fine, the loss of 25 driver points and placed him on probation until Dec. 31.
Rick Hendrick was penalized with the loss of 25 car owner points.
Now I freely admit $100,000 is pocket change to Gordon. The loss of 25 points drops him to 11
th in points.
What must be noted here is that action means Gordon will miss out on a wad of cash at the Awards Ceremony in Las Vegas, which indicates the fine is a bit harsher than it seems.
I have read and heard from some fans and pundits alike who said Gordon probably wouldn’t be punished at all, given that he is one of NASCAR’s “golden boys.”
Heck, NASCAR positively HAD to do something. Gordon ADMITTED his misdeed, saying that he was fed up with Bowyer’s repeated sheet metal bashing and, at last, wanted him to pay for it.
So how could NASCAR let Gordon, or any other star driver under such circumstances, off the hook?
If it did, it would be like a man who goes to the FBI, admits he robbed a bank and a G-Man responds, “OK, that’s fine. Can we validate your parking for you?”
The punishment Gordon got was, in my opinion, not far removed from others given competitors who are not repeat offenders. A fine of $100,000 and the loss of 25 driver/owner points are routine – very routine.
Probation is somewhat humorous. Gordon has one race remaining, at Homestead this weekend, before the season is over.
If he’s a good boy there, well, don’t know how any probation until Dec. 31 can be enforced during the off-season.
Maybe if Gordon has a too much egg nog and calls Brian France a “fathead” on ESPN . . .
Gordon and Hendrick have accepted the punishments.
Some have wondered why Bowyer’s crew chief, Brian Pattie, sustained a $25,000 fine and probation until Dec. 31 where Gordon’s crew chief, Alan Gustafson, received only probation.
There is one big reason, I think. Bowyer’s crew instigated the pit road brawl. It was going after Gordon, who said he was not hit.
Gordon’s crew came to his rescue – as it should have. What kind of teammates would not do so when they see the threat of assault on their driver?
Pattie and Gustafson were both at fault for not exercising control over their crews.
But Pattie was fined because his guys instigated everything and that is something that cannot be tolerated.
For a group of guys to go after a single individual is reprehensible and, to be honest, I think that’s the way NASCAR looked at it.
Interestingly, Brad Keselowski, who is likely to win the championship at Homestead, was fined $25,000 and placed on probation for having a cell phone in his car during the race.
I’m sure you remember, as I do, that the same thing happened at Daytona in February and NASCAR essentially said it had no problem with Keselowski’s cell phone use during the 500. Consequently, he would not be punished.
Well, it is very clear that sentiment has changed dramatically.
Sections 12-1 and 20-6.7A of NASCAR’s rule book outlaw everything from onboard computers to recording devices to memory chips to almost any other manner of electronic device.
And, apparently, a cell phone is one of them.
If Keselowski was OK at Daytona, it suggests NASCAR created its new rule afterward.
If so, I’m not sure anyone knew anything about it. If it had been announced to the media I’m certain someone would have picked up on the fact that social media conscious Keselowski could no longer tweet during a race.
Again, I’m not positive if the rule was made public. It could have been. But it certainly appears Keselowski didn’t know about it.
There’s another way to look at all of this, a way that I think does not escape NASCAR.
While what happened at Phoenix may have been unsavory and the kind of thing not acceptable in sports, it is still newsworthy – very newsworthy.
Highlights of the Phoenix incidents were a staple on ESPN and several other sports outlets. They were on local and national networks. For example, Phoenix was a prime topic on ABC, with a full report led by Diane Sawyer.
Doesn’t matter if it was pleasant or not, NASCAR was on the airwaves with a far great presence than it has had virtually all year. It was right there in the TV headlines with the NFL.
Take that any way you wish but the fact remains NASCAR was put in the public’s attention at a much greater level.
There’s an old public relations adage that suggests it doesn’t matter if it’s for good or bad, as long as your name is out there, that’s always a good thing.
And I think NASCAR knows that – fully.
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