Chase Gate: Backlash continues following Michael Waltrip Racing penalties

On Saturday night at Richmond International Raceway, a series of events played out that resulted in catching a lot of people’s attention of how Michael Waltrip Racing tried to manipulate the Chase. For starters, Clint Bowyer spun with just under 20 laps to go without contact on the radio. Well it may look harmless, radio traffic would say to have proven otherwise.

Audio replayed by ESPN after the race had spotter Brett Griffin telling Bowyer the circumstances of the race, followed by two odd comments from crew chief Brian Pattie:

“Is your arm starting to hurt?” Pattie said on the radio. “I bet it’s getting hot in there. Itch it.” Bowyer then spun out.

In response to that, Pattie said, “My man has poison oak all over his arm. You ask him about how his arms feeling – all of a sudden it’s a controversy.”

Then in the closing laps, fellow Michael Waltrip Racing driver Brian Vickers made a very interesting timed pit stop after a “interesting” discussion with his spotter and MWR competition director Ty Norris.

 

On Lap 396 Vickers is told he’s got to pit and he replies, “I’ve got to WHAT?”

“We’re probably going to pit here on green.”

“Are you talking to me?”

“Yeah, we’re going to pit.”

“”What? I’ve got to pit?”

“I don’t understand. Pit right now?”

“You’ve got to pit this time. We need that 1 point.”

“10-4. Do I got a tire going down?”

“Yeah. Come down pit road right now, get a good look at it.”

(After he pits) “Did you find anything?”

“I’ll see you after the race, Brian, I owe you a kiss.”

 

The pair of circumstances were played out to therefore qualify the third MWR driver, Martin Truex Jr., into the Chase. In doing so, they also let Joey Logano in, well knocking out Ryan Newman and Jeff Gordon.

After checking into the situation, NASCAR slapped them with some huge penalties.

“We’re announcing that NASCAR is reacting to Michael Waltrip Racing by fining Michael Waltrip, owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, $300,000, suspending Ty Norris indefinitely, and each team of Michael Waltrip Racing will be fined 50 owner points and 50 driver points,” Mike Helton announced last night. “This naturally is a very significant reaction from NASCAR.  As multiple car owners have become a very positive integral part of our support, also comes with it, though, responsibility from NASCAR and as well the car owners, to maintain a fair and level playing field.

With the penalties, Newman gets his spot back in trade of Truex falling out.

Though beyond that, there’s been some more backlash that has hit the fan in the process. Each of the sponsors at Michael Waltrip Racing have released statements about being unhappy about the team’s behavior.

“The actions taken by Michael Waltrip’s Racing team this past weekend leading to the penalties assessed by NASCAR, are very concerning. We are disappointed that a partner associated with our organization would make such a significant error in judgment. In addition, we have launched our own review to determine the future of our partnership with Michael Waltrip’s Racing team. The NAPA AUTO PARTS organization is proud of its long-standing NASCAR relationship. We share a passion with our customers for high quality racing and seek to determine the best course of action for our customers, NASCAR fans, and the NAPA organization.” – NAPA, sponsor of Martin Truex Jr.’s No. 56 Toyota.

“Living Essentials, the makers of 5-hour ENERGY® shots, understands the disappointment NASCAR fans feel in regards to the actions taken by Michael Waltrip Racing at Richmond. Living Essentials does not condone practices that violate NASCAR rules or the spirit of fair play. Living Essentials respects NASCAR’s penalties against Michael Waltrip Racing, and is addressing its sponsorship relations internally. We appreciate your understanding and patience in this matter.” – 5 Hour Energy, sponsor of Clint Bowyer’s No. 15 Toyota.

“Aaron’s appreciates your concern about Richmond’s race and your loyalty to NASCAR. We respect the decision NASCAR made today and do not condone any practices that violate NASCAR rules. Feel free to email us at response@aarons.com for further discussion.” – Aaron’s, sponsor of Brian Vickers’ No. 55 Toyota.

Each of the sponsors are now unhappy and unhappy sponsors equals not a good situation for any team. Teams need sponsorship money to continue to run, after all.

Well sponsors are locked down to contracts that can be a year or more in length, the contracts also come with “morality clauses”. If sponsors don’t see behavior by a team that they agree with, they can legally end the contract earlier than it is is set to expire.

“(NAPA) probably is consulting with legal counsel internally on what options are available to exercise the end of the agreement,” Ed Kiernan, president of Engine Shop, a New York-based marketing agency, told USA Today Sports. “All these deal have clauses that if something like this arises, there are ways to get out of an agreement.”

If one of sponsors pull the plug, then setting up a scenario to help their drivers make the Chase won’t be worth anything.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SpeedwayMedia.com

4 COMMENTS

  1. I wish they do away with the chase have not liked it from the start. It is not just the MWR issues, Pandora’s box is open up now!! Goes with the 22 and 38 issues along with restart with Carl jumping restart. But NASCAR will not do nothing on that because ripple affects o.k. say what you want, but this should all be taken care of not just part of it.

  2. It might be wise to just expand the chase field to thirteen this year – Gordon should be in with a chance – whether he is the 12th or 13th car he would still have to drive like hell and have alot of luck to have any chance

  3. This episode of “What’s wrong with NA$CAR” will be corrected when Penske 22 get 50 points deducted along with a fine.

    The Suits in NA$CAR need to yield running the organization to a team of professionals not even connected with them. Right now it is run sorta like our federal government. They don’t know which way they are going.

  4. Just end the gimmick of the chase and be done with it. It was interesting for maybe two years and then it has simply ruined the racing. Points, points, points is all anyone talks about and all that is covered on TV. I want to enjoy the race, each race, on an individual basis and cheer for my favorite driver w/o stressing if he has a “bad” day or blows an engine. It is just idiotic to me. Since my favorite driver is not in the chase, I have no reason to bother watching the last 10 races. how does that benefit the sport, tv ratings or NASCAR?

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