[Quality88]

The Sprint Cup season is only two races old, but NASCAR's penalty system for driver transgressions -- particularly following Kurt Busch and Tony Stewart's altercations at Daytona on the opening day of the season and the resultant probation-only sentence -- has been under close scrutiny.
But an informal poll of a number of owners and competitors, plus an avalanche of fan emails has presented a prevailing opinion best depicted by the Hank Williams Jr. title: Leave Them Boys Alone.
On the other hand, as events have unfolded inside the garages, beginning on the same opening day of Speedweeks 2008 at Daytona International Speedway; even NASCAR's guidelines for technical penalties are being looked at closely -- if not by the sanctioning body, by virtually everyone else who has any stake or interest in the sport.
While attempting to regulate racing's emotion and intensity has been the hottest hot-button issue so far this season, the technical side of the game is certainly on the front burner as well.

NASCAR.COM - Opinions vary*in regards to current*penalty process - Feb 29, 2008

[Bob Tanner]

For years I have heard over and over NA__AR fans begging for NA__AR to be consistent and unbiased in enforcing its rules and applying its penalties. Well it appears that someone in Daytona's Hdqtrs have been listening and reading. NA__AR is apparently, since last year anyway, going to try and address the fans' desires.

However, it seems to this person that they have left a couple terms out of the equation; fairness and common sense.

NA__AR apparently has decided a blanket "Zero Tolerance" approach is the path to go. Just as it has been proven to do in our school and court system, "Zero Tolerance" just "dumbs down" the application of rules and the penalties given.

NA__AR tech inspections are, by their very nature, arbitrary, just as is an umpire's call of a ball or a strike. IMNSVHO, dumbing down this procedure and setting "Zero Tolerances" for any and all infractions damages NA__AR's credibility and just makes the entire inspection procedure look ludicrous and gives it the aura of a Salem Witch Hunt.

But these are just my personal feelings... I could be very, very wrong...

[BiscuitMan]

Originally Posted by Quality88

The Sprint Cup season is only two races old, but NASCAR's penalty system for driver transgressions -- particularly following Kurt Busch and Tony Stewart's altercations at Daytona on the opening day of the season and the resultant probation-only sentence -- has been under close scrutiny.

But an informal poll of a number of owners and competitors, plus an avalanche of fan emails has presented a prevailing opinion best depicted by the Hank Williams Jr. title: Leave Them Boys Alone.

On the other hand, as events have unfolded inside the garages, beginning on the same opening day of Speedweeks 2008 at Daytona International Speedway; even NASCAR's guidelines for technical penalties are being looked at closely -- if not by the sanctioning body, by virtually everyone else who has any stake or interest in the sport.

While attempting to regulate racing's emotion and intensity has been the hottest hot-button issue so far this season, the technical side of the game is certainly on the front burner as well.

There are two areas at NASCAR where they apply penalties: technical inspection and race conditions. Kurt and Tony's incident was "race conditions". I saw what happened. Both drivers "retaliated". NASCAR doesn't like that and they took appropriate action. Technical inspection is the area I have problems with. These are awfully big penalties that NASCAR is applying to drivers and race teams lately. Taking away points earned (to me) seems to be too restrictive. We all know what their intent is to discourage "cheating".

My suggestion is to set a fee for the "technical inspection" - $5.000 or $10,000. If an infraction is discovered, send the team away and confiscate the part in question. When the car come back through for another inspection, charge them again. Minor infractions don't require major penalties being levied

However, if the infraction discovered was so severe or was hidden to conceal from the inspectors, then double the penalty or send the driver, crew chief, and owner home for that race. But, don't take already earned points away. NASCAR is making too much about these technical inspection.

NASCAR presently charges to have the chassis "certified" before they put all the components on the chassis to make it a race car. They could apply the same principles here.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by BiscuitMan

There are two areas at NASCAR where they apply penalties: technical inspection and race conditions. Kurt and Tony's incident was "race conditions". I saw what happened. Both drivers "retaliated". NASCAR doesn't like that and they took appropriate action. Technical inspection is the area I have problems with. These are awfully big penalties that NASCAR is applying to drivers and race teams lately. Taking away points earned (to me) seems to be too restrictive. We all know what their intent is to discourage "cheating".

My suggestion is to set a fee for the "technical inspection" - $5.000 or $10,000. If an infraction is discovered, send the team away and confiscate the part in question. When the car come back through for another inspection, charge them again. Minor infractions don't require major penalties being levied

However, if the infraction discovered was so severe or was hidden to conceal from the inspectors, then double the penalty or send the driver, crew chief, and owner home for that race. But, don't take already earned points away. NASCAR is making too much about these technical inspection.

NASCAR presently charges to have the chassis "certified" before they put all the components on the chassis to make it a race car. They could apply the same principles here.

Where exactly did Tony retaliate? There is rumor he retaliated in the hauler, and Kurt seemed to have a shiner for proof. Tony never retaliated on track.... When he and Busch got together, Busch retaliated on track and pit row.

[BiscuitMan]

Originally Posted by Quality88

Where exactly did Tony retaliate? There is rumor he retaliated in the hauler, and Kurt seemed to have a shiner for proof. Tony never retaliated on track.... When he and Busch got together, Busch retaliated on track and pit row.

Tony retaliated as they drove back down towards pit road. I know you probably classified that as "not giving in" while being banged in the side of his car by Kurt. Tony also blocked the access to the garage area while on pit road. This, in NASCAR's eyes is retaliation.

I would have done what Tony did in that situation too. You don't want to let someone step on your toes and just stand there. After all, the competitive spirit is part of any NASCAR driver's demeanor.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by BiscuitMan

Tony retaliated as they drove back down towards pit road. I know you probably classified that as "not giving in" while being banged in the side of his car by Kurt. Tony also blocked the access to the garage area while on pit road. This, in NASCAR's eyes is retaliation.

I would have done what Tony did in that situation too. You don't want to let someone step on your toes and just stand there. After all, the competitive spirit is part of any NASCAR driver's demeanor.

I never saw Tony retaliate on track. Busch did all the beatin and bangin. Then he cut Tony off at the garage entrance.

[Phils20]

Originally Posted by Quality88

I never saw Tony retaliate on track. Busch did all the beatin and bangin. Then he cut Tony off at the garage entrance.

Agreed. I don't know how it can be seen any other way.