November 13, 2012
Photo credit: NASCARmedia.com/Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR
NASCAR has handed out penalties following the wild incidents that took place at Phoenix International Speedway last Sunday (11/11).Three teams got penalties.
The first two teams penalized are the #24 Hendrick Motorsports team and the #15 Michael Waltrip Racing team. The penalties are a result of the on and off track incidents between Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer.
Jeff Gordon was fined $100,000 dollars for intentionally wrecking Clint Bowyer on the track. Jeff and car owner Rick Hendrick were each docked twenty-five championship points for the incident. In addition, Jeff and his crew chief Alan Gustafson have both been placed on probation until December 31st.
Clint’s crew chief, Brian Pattie was fined $25,000 and also placed on probation until December 31st as a result of the off track brawl between the #15 and #24 teams. NASCAR justifies penalizing the crew chiefs because they feel the crew chief assumes responsibility for the driver, car owner and team members during the race.
The third team to receive a penalty following the AdvoCare 500 was NASCAR Sprint Cup point leader Brad Keselowski. You might be thinking, “I didn’t see Brad do anything wrong during the race.” You would be right, you didn’t SEE what he did wrong. Apparently Brad had a cell phone with him in the #2 Miller Lite Dodge during the race at Phoenix. This is a clear violation of NASCAR rules, so Brad was fined $25,000. I wonder who Brad thought he would need to call, text or Tweet during the race?
By: Buck Stevens
Brad Keselwoski photo credit: NASCARmedia.com/Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR