[Racer Duck]

Unlike Robby Gordon, HMS and Jr. get half the penalties for premeditated cheating. I've lost all respect for NASCAR and their even handedness (or should I say "lack of") in assessing penalties.

Yeah, I know this is Nationwide and not Cup, but it still stinks!


You can read the rest of the story at NASCAR.Com.


DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR announced on Wednesday that seven of its teams in the Nationwide Series have been penalized due to rule violations during Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway.
The No. 5 car was found to be in violation of Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used that do not conform to NASCAR rules); 20A-3.1.1E (1) (the rear ends of the spoiler did not meet the specified height); and 20A-3.12.1A (altered rear spoiler after passing template inspection to enhance aerodynamic performance) of the 2008 NASCAR rule book. The violation occurred following practice on Feb. 14.

Earnhardt Jr.

Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been penalized with the loss of 50 championship driver points, while car owner Rick Hendrick has been penalized 50 championship owner points.

Crew chief Chad Walter has been fined $25,000 and suspended for the next six Nationwide Series events until April 9 and placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2008.

[jks812]

To me it doesn't matter if it's Nationwide or Cup series, they all run under the Nascar name, penalties should be the same. Actually Jr's should be more because it was done purposely.

[3fanforever]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

The No. 5 car was found to be in violation of Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used that do not conform to NASCAR rules); 20A-3.1.1E (1) (the rear ends of the spoiler did not meet the specified height); and 20A-3.12.1A (altered rear spoiler after passing template inspection to enhance aerodynamic performance) of the 2008 NASCAR rule book. The violation occurred following practice on Feb. 14.

Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been penalized with the loss of 50 championship driver points, while car owner Rick Hendrick has been penalized 50 championship owner points.

Crew chief Chad Walter has been fined $25,000 and suspended for the next six Nationwide Series events until April 9 and placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2008.

Seduction by the Dark Side was inevitable. A seduction even too strong for our young Jedi and his starship's crew to ignore. But fear not young Jedi Junior. Even though you succumbed to the Dark Side's ways, Darth France's Dark Forces will protect you, and punish your foes with all their power, while keeping you as safe from harm as they can. So until our next episode...

[wingkey1]

Were I the Emporer of shrimp boat racing, you know the National Association of Shrimp Catchers and Racketeers, with a top competitive level adorned with triple turbo, nitro and/or JP3 burning, 100 foot + craft capable of ensnaring ocean critters with nets the size of Alaska, and an (intended) entry level populated with garvy style, human powered, canoe sized craft, limited to hand held/drug nets capable of drowning their handler, the fines for infractions would not be the same.

Now, were those able to compete at the Emporers upper level to be found investing in the garvey based events, while it would be clear no "knowledge transfer" opportunity would be obvious, we'd have to move to ensure any intent towards eliminating those at the entry level would be truncated. Owner castration perhaps. And should the owner agree to these terms, let 'em garvey.

What is the point of all this? Oh crap, I can't ask that, it's me typing. OK, let's try - if there is any true desire/hope to return the lesser/lower/entry/proving level of NASCAR (the shrimp boat one) to a shrimper development level, we can't scare away potential owners/investors with penalties equal to those at the "Gates" (as in Microsoft) level.

Oh by the way, I'm Forrest Gump and I approve this message.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by jks812

To me it doesn't matter if it's Nationwide or Cup series, they all run under the Nascar name, penalties should be the same. Actually Jr's should be more because it was done purposely.

As long as the fines/penalties are the same within each series, it really doesn't matter. One series doesn't compete against the other so the numbers are inconsequential. If they are running an illegal tire in cup and the fine is 25 points, it should be 25 for everyone in the cup series. If they decide that the same offense is worth 10 points in Nationwide then what does it really matter as long as everyone in Nationwide is fined the same for the same offense ???

[bears9]

I know NASCAR doesn't like to penalize their stars but come one what would dinging Junior 100 points the stupid Nationwide series in which he probably only race in 3 more times this year.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by bears9

I know NASCAR doesn't like to penalize their stars but come one what would dinging Junior 100 points the stupid Nationwide series in which he probably only race in 3 more times this year.

it's not the driver points for Jr that's so big, but the owner points. when Jr. steps out and someone else steps in, they're still stuck with owner points penalties and the CC is still banned for the remainder of the 6 races... plus I think Jr. is also classified as the owner.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by jks812

To me it doesn't matter if it's Nationwide or Cup series, they all run under the Nascar name, penalties should be the same. Actually Jr's should be more because it was done purposely.

But NO ONE, repeat: N-O O-N-E, sells more trinkets & thrash than does Junior. Why, if he didn't start the race he was scheduled to drive in, look how disappointed his driver fans would be. They might even be driven to spend less than a week's pay at the souvenir trailers!!!

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

But NO ONE, repeat: N-O O-N-E, sells more trinkets & thrash than does Junior. Why, if he didn't start the race he was scheduled to drive in, look how disappointed his driver fans would be. They might even be driven to spend less than a week's pay at the souvenir trailers!!!

Do I detect an cynical tone in your typin presently Bob? Not that I don't agree with you.

[bears9]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

it's not the driver points for Jr that's so big, but the owner points. when Jr. steps out and someone else steps in, they're still stuck with owner points penalties and the CC is still banned for the remainder of the 6 races... plus I think Jr. is also classified as the owner.

Doesn't Jr own the 88 in the Nationwide, then Co-Own the 5 with Rick Hendrick?

[jks812]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

But NO ONE, repeat: N-O O-N-E, sells more trinkets & thrash than does Junior. Why, if he didn't start the race he was scheduled to drive in, look how disappointed his driver fans would be. They might even be driven to spend less than a week's pay at the souvenir trailers!!!

And that is the problem. Some can get by doing things better than others, just because of who they drive for, what their name is or how much sells they do.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by jks812

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner
But NO ONE, repeat: N-O O-N-E, sells more trinkets & thrash than does Junior. Why, if he didn't start the race he was scheduled to drive in, look how disappointed his driver fans would be. They might even be driven to spend less than a week's pay at the souvenir trailers!!!

And that is the problem. Some can get by doing things better than others, just because of who they drive for, what their name is or how much sells they do.

I'm going to very respectfully disagree. May I give you something to ponder?

What I said IS NOT the problem. It's just a symptom of the problem. The real problem is that so many fans out here see and fully understand what is going on and are quite vocal about it. I refuse to believe that NA__AR is both deaf and blind and does not know that we know. Yet, they keep on ignoring the people who keep them in business (us!?) and keep right on making the same mistakes they've made for decades. THAT, my good friend, is the problem.

I don't know when or how but some day, in some way, all this will come back and bite NA__AR/ISC right in its considerable butt.

[jks812]

Thats true Bob and the fans are the problem. Like you said can you imagine how fans would react if Jr ( or some others ) had to miss a race. Have to say the fans that don't like whats going on or agree with it are the same ones buying the tickets, the diecast, shirts and watching the races on tv. Yes I am quilty of that too. Guess as long as we're willing to keep on watching and spending the money, nascar is willing to not change anything.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by jks812

Thats true Bob and the fans are the problem. Like you said can you imagine how fans would react if Jr ( or some others ) had to miss a race. Have to say the fans that don't like whats going on or agree with it are the same ones buying the tickets, the diecast, shirts and watching the races on tv. Yes I am quilty of that too. Guess as long as we're willing to keep on watching and spending the money, nascar is willing to not change anything.

I don't feel especially guilty about watching it on TV or listening to the races on radio. I have the radio or TV on anyway and if they have a program which entertains me, that's a plus for me. I don't pay extra for the program. My shopping habits done change just because on of the rolling billboards has a sponsor there. I see Jack Daniels but I wouldn't drink it unless I were threatened with bodily harm. As far as I can remember the ONLY time a driver influenced my shopping was when DW drove the Tide Chevie. For three miserable and semi-clean years we used Cheer in our home.

Watching the races doesn't necessarily mean we endorse or even approve of all we see. Hell, I watch Anthony Bourdain (No Reservations...Travel Channel, Monday 9:00p.m.) go to foreign lands and eat indigenous foods like goat's eye balls, pig entrails, or zebra testicles. I sure don't endorse or encourage that type of diet but I still find the show entertaining.

Cup racing is just another program on TV which, like a wreck on the highway, I sometimes just can't resist looking at.

But then, that's just me and I have been called "strange," from time to time.

[Racer Duck]

I think there's another reason we watch: we are eternal optimists; we have an unfounded faith that some day NASCAR will see the light and do things right.

Yeah, we're sometimes entertained and yeah we get a bit of satisfaction when a driver/team we like does well. And, yeah we complain like crazy at all the completely stupid things NASCAR and some of our worshiped drivers do, but we come back next week or the week after with our optimism high and ready to finally see it done right... Somewhere deep inside we refuse to admit that good might not truimph or that those who've gone over to the Dark Side can't be reclaimed.