by Shannon Poe  |  About The Author   |  Discuss

Last Saturday’s race at Richmond International Raceway in the southern state of Virginia was the setting for penalties handed down faster than you can say “rapid release gel” by NASCAR.  A look at the big picture reveals two incidents in particular might prove to be worth noting.  During the course of the Saturday night showdown at RIR, both Michael Waltrip and Denny Hamlin were penalized in-race for what could be considered major infractions.  The speed and timing of these punishments was different from previous methods utilized by the governing force within NASCAR.  From where the fans stood, it was a rapid release with no time to gel.

Michael Waltrip

Late in the Dan Lowry 400 (sponsored by Crown Royal), Casey Mears nailed Waltrip’s no. 55 Dodge from behind, sending it into the wall coming off turn four of the “D” shaped track.  Mears later stated that lack of radio communication between him and his team might have been a factor.  Waltrip retaliated a few laps later by intentionally slamming into the back of Mears’ car and pushing him viciously on the track several hundred yards.  NASCAR’s response was to park Michael Waltrip for the remainder of the race, estimated to be about 58 laps.  Waltrip declared on Speed Channel’s This Week in NASCAR program that he “felt like he was 12 years old again.”  The incident and penalty cost Waltrip dearly in the point standings as he dropped to 32^nd in the ranking.  Waltrip’s season goal appears to be a concerted effort to remain top 35 within the point system and avoid a repeat of last season’s agony of having to “go or go home” qualify prior to each Cup event.  Mears finished 36^th, one position ahead of Waltrip.  Both drivers are dancing precariously on the edge of falling out of the top 35 owner’s points rule.

Denny Hamlin

Hamlin dominated RIR with a record setting 381 laps led in the race, before falling victim to a tire deflating.  He continued in the race on this tire until inside 10 laps to go when he stopped his car on the high side of the track forcing a caution.  Upon waving of the caution flag, Hamlin then proceeded to pit road.  NASCAR held Hamlin for two laps immediately as a penalty.  The sanctioning body felt that Hamlin had deliberately committed this act in effort to aid teammate Kyle Busch to take the lead and possibly win.  Hamlin has denied this, and felt that the immediate ruling was unfair.  This incident resulted in a 24^th place finish for Hamlin overall. 

So what does this possibly mean for the sport of racing?

NASCAR has threatened several times within previous seasons an increase in the degree of harshness in penalties handed down.  The past method of issuing penalties came in the form of fines, point deductions, and even suspensions for crew chiefs for pre or post-race inspection violations.  After admonishing teams and drivers that penalties would increase and current rules would be enforced, the purported harshness seemed to come in the form of higher fines, higher point deductions, and longer suspension time from race activities.  That is until now. 

Suddenly, in the 10^th race of the season, NASCAR is making quicker decisions and instantly punishing those perceived as changing the outcome of the race.  Whether an incident or issue is committed accidentally or purposely seems to matter not.  The bottom line?  Commit an act “detrimental to stock car racing” on the track and you will see your own fate changed immediately, and quite starkly.

It should be noted that neither Waltrip nor Hamlin sustained any further penalties post-race.  There was no need for further reprimand, both drivers felt the sting and took significant hits in post-race results.  Fans may also have noticed that so far this season, driver skirmishes outside the cars are not being policed as heavily.  This has long been a necessary tactic, since drivers are human and not robotic, and therefore likely to have an opinion on the driving style of another.  Frankly, who cares if a driver approaches another to “discuss” an issue that happened during the competition?

Is this new and swift handling of perceived rule violations wise?  Could this, perhaps, give NASCAR more power over race results, or did they always have that particular power to begin with?  It goes without saying that while NASCAR could not control who won the race, they definitely had a say in who would not.  This seemingly new method of discipline proves to be a warning to all who participate in the sport.  Once this penalty infraction is handed down, there is no appeal.  There is also no arguing, and there is no recourse for redemption.  The price of admission in this sport just went up, and payment is due before the race is complete.

You can contact Shannon at shanjrfan8@aol.com

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