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Jeff Gordon was named the 13th driver in NASCAR's Chase for the Sprint Cup and Penske Racing and Front Row Racing have been placed on probation, until the end of the year, after the sanctioning body reviewed radio transmissions of the Richmond race.
This culminated a week of controversy of the points fixing started by Michael Waltrip Racing. As a result of the MWR affair Martin Truex Jr. was taken out and Ryan Newman was put in the Chase.
"Due to the totality of the events that were outside of Jeff Gordon's issues, we're going to add a 13th position to the field and Jeff Gordon will qualify for the Sprint Cup championship this year," NASCAR CEO Brian France said at a press conference.
"I have the authority to do that," France further explained.
This is the first time in the ten-year history of NASCAR's playoffs, "The Chase" that a driver was added to the field by a decision by the sanctioning body.
"It is an unprecedented and extraordinary thing, but also an unprecedented and extraordinary set of circumstances that unfolded multiple different ways on Saturday night," France said. "We believe this is the right outcome to protect the integrity, which is our no. 1 goal, of NASCAR."
Gordon, who didn't visit Victory Lane this year, finished 11th in the points and thus failed to qualify for the Chase or get in by a wild card. Logano finished 10th in the points but that's the start not the end.
Gordon, a four-time Champion said "Under normal circumstances I would say no, that's not right. But under these circumstances, I know ... we earned the right to be in (the Chase). "In some funny way this has given us the fire (of last year)."
Recorded radio transmissions from Front Row (David Gilliland's) team seem to indicate a deal was made to allow Logano to catch up and pass Gilliland for one position as “insurance,” because Logano had a victory and he would be in the Chase no matter what.
After Michael Waltrip Racing driver, Clint Bowyer spun, bringing out a caution with seven laps go, Logano passed Gilliland on the restart making the whole matter a moot point except for two teams allegedly conspiring to fix a points outcome.
NASCAR came to this decision after a lengthy meeting with both teams, but did not address the issue that Penske Racing was already on probation until the end of the year for a mechanical rules violation at the race in Texas in the Spring.
"Penske Racing acknowledges NASCAR's decision to place the organization on probation following the circumstances surrounding last weekend's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in Richmond,” said the team in a statement. “Penske Racing accepts NASCAR's decision and is now focused on a strong start to the Chase."
There will be a mandatory meeting of the teams and NASCAR officials where the sanctioning will lay out ethical and technical rules. Later on Saturday NASCAR will hold another press conference to publish its' approach going forward.
This culminated a week of controversy of the points fixing started by Michael Waltrip Racing. As a result of the MWR affair Martin Truex Jr. was taken out and Ryan Newman was put in the Chase.
"Due to the totality of the events that were outside of Jeff Gordon's issues, we're going to add a 13th position to the field and Jeff Gordon will qualify for the Sprint Cup championship this year," NASCAR CEO Brian France said at a press conference.
"I have the authority to do that," France further explained.
This is the first time in the ten-year history of NASCAR's playoffs, "The Chase" that a driver was added to the field by a decision by the sanctioning body.
"It is an unprecedented and extraordinary thing, but also an unprecedented and extraordinary set of circumstances that unfolded multiple different ways on Saturday night," France said. "We believe this is the right outcome to protect the integrity, which is our no. 1 goal, of NASCAR."
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| Jeff Gordon (Photo: Facebook.com/jeffgordon) |
Gordon, who didn't visit Victory Lane this year, finished 11th in the points and thus failed to qualify for the Chase or get in by a wild card. Logano finished 10th in the points but that's the start not the end.
Gordon, a four-time Champion said "Under normal circumstances I would say no, that's not right. But under these circumstances, I know ... we earned the right to be in (the Chase). "In some funny way this has given us the fire (of last year)."
Recorded radio transmissions from Front Row (David Gilliland's) team seem to indicate a deal was made to allow Logano to catch up and pass Gilliland for one position as “insurance,” because Logano had a victory and he would be in the Chase no matter what.
After Michael Waltrip Racing driver, Clint Bowyer spun, bringing out a caution with seven laps go, Logano passed Gilliland on the restart making the whole matter a moot point except for two teams allegedly conspiring to fix a points outcome.
 |
| Joey Logano, Penske Racing (Photo: Joeylogano.com) |
NASCAR came to this decision after a lengthy meeting with both teams, but did not address the issue that Penske Racing was already on probation until the end of the year for a mechanical rules violation at the race in Texas in the Spring.
"Penske Racing acknowledges NASCAR's decision to place the organization on probation following the circumstances surrounding last weekend's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in Richmond,” said the team in a statement. “Penske Racing accepts NASCAR's decision and is now focused on a strong start to the Chase."
There will be a mandatory meeting of the teams and NASCAR officials where the sanctioning will lay out ethical and technical rules. Later on Saturday NASCAR will hold another press conference to publish its' approach going forward.