Tougher penalties needed during Chase
Bob Pockrass
Bob Pockrass began covering NASCAR in 1992, primarily covering short-track racing and events. He has worked for Street & Smith's Motorsports Group since 2003.
DOVER, Del. – It probably wasn’t a big deal, this shock that broke that wound up making the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing car too low. That’s probably why it was a 25-point penalty, a $25,000 fine and no suspension.
But if Kyle Busch was in the Chase For The Sprint Cup, there would be a much bigger uproar. No matter the explanation of the violation, a violation by a Chase competitor going for the title would be a big, big deal.
So it begs the question of whether penalties should be harsher – for the top 12 as well as those outside the top 12 – during the Chase than during the regular season.
It would be hard to say that any violation should result in an automatic two-week crew-chief suspension. But maybe that should be the NASCAR policy – and if the appeals board wants to say it was such a minor infraction that the suspension is not necessary, than so be it.
That might sound a little harsh. But think about all the Chase guys who finished behind Kyle Busch. Even though Busch was penalized, they don’t get to move up a spot and get the extra points. Kurt Busch, passed by Kyle on the final lap, could really use those five points back.
A penalty should be made to fit the crime. Considering the amount of money on the line and how precious the points are in the Chase, it seems that any crime during the Chase can have a bigger impact on the championship.
