Today Robby Gordon has got to be resting easier. They made thier appeal to the National Stock Car Racing Commission and we’re able to get thier owner and driver points back, and have the suspension on crew chief Frank Kerr. He isn’t getting off without penalty though, Kerr will remain on probation through 2008, and the fine has now been increased to $150,000 (that’s $50,000 more than the inital penalty). The circumstances surrounding the penalty, as I blogged about earlier, we’re extremely unusual, and the rules we’re far too black & white for this grey situation. I don’t think anyone could be anything but pleased with today’s ruling. I feel what they did was fair, they took away the points penalty and suspension, the points we’re going to be the biggest issue for the team. The money is a major blow to them still, being small organization, but regaining the points was extremely vital. NASCAR couldn’t take away everything, a rule was broken, so some sort of penalty had to be handed down. Luckily they we’re wise enough to reconsider the circumstances, as well as the effect the original penalty would have had on this team. I feel NASCAR needs to take a step back and realize they can’t ave these black and white, one-size fits all penalties. They need to take everything on a case-by-case basis, because every team and every infraction is so different. I don’t mean they should favor certain teams over others, but they need to realize that a $150,000 fine is much more signifigant to Robby’s organization than Rick Hendricks. It’s the same as fining you $10,000 and fining Paris Hilton $10,000. Who is going to be hit harder? Who is being punished more? Obiously you. NASCAR needs to really be able to take all that in to account, and i feel they we’re able to do a pretty good job of that here, and I will commend them for that.
Robby is still dissapointed with the fine, but overall is pleased with the decision. “We feel like justice was done and appreciate NASCAR creating a system that allowed us to take our appeal to the National Stock Car Racing Commission.”.
In other news the 99 team was docked 100 owner/driver points for the oil cover not being in place aftr the race. This knocks Carl from the points lead, to 7th place. A substantial blow, but nothing they can’t rebound from. The whole penalty is a carbon copy of what the 7 team got for thier infraction. Suspension, probation, $100,000 fine, and 100 points. The team is debating whether or not to appeal the penalty, but don’t count on it. They likely wouldn’t win, and they realize this. The cirsumstances are unfortunate for them, but with the team they have, I’m sure they will do just fine in recovering, quite quickly at that.
-Katie
I can’t believe what the NSCRC did. They have just made it impossible for NASCAR to justify any penalty from here on in. I expect the penalty on the 99 team to be reversed very soon as well.