While inspecting cars for the Toyota/Save Mart 350, officials caught Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson with illegal body modifications designed to give each of their cars an edge. The inspections happened on Friday morning. Neither was allowed to practice on Friday, but both were allowed to hit the track on Saturday.
The violations carry suspensions for the crew chiefs and heavy fines.
On Saturday, Gordon hit top speeds on the road course. Gordon holds first-place in the Nextel Cup, leading Danny Hamlin by 264 points and third-place racer Jimmie Johnson by 337 points.
Despite the fact that both Gordon and teammate Johnson had good runs on Saturday, both will be at the back of the pack as part of the punishment for their violations.
The question is—does NASCAR do enough to ensure the integrity of their sport? The penalties for cheating are not very tough.
Fines, missing one day of practice, crew chief suspensions, putting racers at the back of the pack– what is this first-grade? I thought this was a “sport? Really? Then how about putting some integrity into it?
How about a real suspension policy?
Here it is—
First time violation—out for the race.
Second time—out for two and you lose 1/3 of your NASCAR Nextel Cup points.
Third time—You are out for a full calendar year and you lose all of your points.
NASCAR has had too many cheaters caught and too many not caught to continue in this “slap your wrist� manner.
There are only two road course events in the 36-race Nextel Cup Series. The premiere Infineon raceway, a 10-turn and 1.99 mile course, is one of them. What a statement it would make if NASCAR officials banned two cheaters from the race.
Is NASCAR afraid to disappoint fans who won’t get to see the two race? It’s not NASCAR disappointing those fans—it’s the drivers. If NASCAR continues to turn a blind eye to this problem, they’ll go the route boxing. And that’s not a good route to go.
Barry Bonds next career—racecar driver. You can cheat there too without penalty. How many homers does he have? Who cares? Hammerin’ Hank Aaron will STILL hold the record.
Technorati Tags: Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Danny Hamlin, NASCAR, Nextel Cup Series, Infineon
