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NASCAR suspends JR Motorsports crew member, puts Eury Sr. on probation

By Bob Pockrass - Associate Editor

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Article Rating: 5.0
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Jason Smith / Getty Images for NASCAR

Crew members from the teams of JR Motorsports' Brad Keselowski and Joe Gibbs Racing's Denny Hamlin converge on pit road May 24 at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

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NASCAR suspended JR Motorsports crew member Michael Sandlin for one race for actions during a postrace shoving match between the crews of Brad Keselowski and Joe Gibbs Racing's Denny Hamlin following Saturday night's Carquest Auto Parts 300 at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Sandlin was penalized for failing to follow a NASCAR official’s directive and inappropriate contact with a NASCAR official for contact that occurred during the confrontation between the two crews on pit road.
 
Sandlin also was fined $1,500 and put on probation until Oct. 15.
 
Two other JR Motorsports crew members were penalized, including crew chief Tony Eury Sr., who was fined $1,000 and put on probation until June 25 for being responsible for the action of his crew members.
 
Crew member Jordan Allen was put on probation until Oct. 15 and fined $1,500 for failing to follow a directive from a NASCAR official and inappropriate contact with a NASCAR official.
 
The crews engaged in a heated argument on pit road after the NASCAR Nationwide Series race. At the time, Keselowski was upset with the way Hamlin raced him. Keselowski bumped Hamlin during a late caution period and Hamlin retaliated with a hard hit into Keselowski’s right front fender. Team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr., also competing in the race, then bumped Hamlin while the race was still under caution.
 
None of the drivers were penalized.

Average Rating: 5.0

Comments

47 responses to "NASCAR suspends JR Motorsports crew member, puts Eury Sr. on probation"
  1. 1
    Anonymous said:
    May 28, 2008 at 5:51 PM

    I could have sworn I heard in the off-season that NASCAR and the officials we're going to lay back on fines and penalties due to altercations behind the wall...

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  2. 2
    emily bagwell said:
    May 28, 2008 at 5:54 PM

    Thank you, NASCAR, for continuing to reward JGR and its Smart Alec drivers. At least you are consistent with this. Did you reprimand Denny Hamlin for his actions on the track and talking as if the cup guys had more right on the track than the Nationwide boys---also his remark--"Throw a rock,and I'll throw a brick" What a joke all this is. I guess it's OKAY for some to show emotions but not eveyone--is that it?

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  3. 3
    Patsi Wilbanks said:
    May 28, 2008 at 6:21 PM

    Once again NASCAR has been totally unfair in its actions...why not make the same rules apply to EVERYONE! Baby Butt Kyle can go into anyone's pit and spout off at the mouth then run and hide like a coward. We are all so sick of NASCARS stupid game....it will never be the same and ticket sales are showing the decline...let Toyota buy someone else,,,,we're done!

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  4. 4
    George Rice said:
    May 28, 2008 at 6:25 PM

    Once again NASCAR shows it's love for TOYOTA's drivers and gives them all the breaks. It is time we turn the TV off and e-mail NASCAR with a protest.

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  5. 5
    debbie kitz said:
    May 28, 2008 at 6:39 PM

    I do not understand why only JR motorsports and their crew chief were fined and put on probation. Denny Hamlin should be put on probation.His actions were unsportmanlike his comments appaling. I once was a fan of his but ever since an altercation last year with Kyle Petty I wondered who does he think he is? His better than everyone attitude makes me sick. Tony Stewart can pull off the attitude by backing it up on the track with experience and championships,while Hamlin has won a few races .Nascar should be more fair .

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  6. 6
    emily bagwell said:
    May 28, 2008 at 7:23 PM

    Where are all the JGR fans expresssing your pleasure about this. This is sooooo not right!!!

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  7. 7
    Carole Hart said:
    May 28, 2008 at 7:30 PM

    Nascar is wrong once more. Denny Hamlin should be penalized for what he did to Brad's car.Even if Brad gave Denny a nudge from the rear Denny tore off Brad's fender. What about Denny saying on the radio he was going to get Brad and then did this. If you penalize one side both sides should be penalized. This is what makes Nascar loose fans and popularity. Not the driver's but the unfair decision making by Nascar. You let the whiney baby win again. Concerned Nascar Fan

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  8. 8
    Billie Brooks said:
    May 28, 2008 at 9:20 PM

    I'm sure all the Jr. detractors will be in here soon with their smart arse remarks, just take it with grace and dignity and consider the source from which it comes. No, this is NOT a debatable subject, if one team is penalized so should the other team!!!. Sure hope Stewart gets smart and puts some distance between himself and JGR!

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  9. 9
    Billie Brooks said:
    May 28, 2008 at 9:35 PM

    Does anyone have a contact email address for NASCAR? I will write and express my feeling's, not that it would do any good, just make me feel better!

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  10. 10
    Patrick Lloyd said:
    May 28, 2008 at 9:44 PM

    It's no surprise that NASCAR let JGR get away with it. Even after Hamlin admitted that he wrecked Kezelowski(sp?)on purpose and made it clear he would not hesitate doing it again to any other driver. It's obvious that NASCAR picks and chooses who gets punished and who doesn't even when they commit the same actions. Obviously,if your name is Denny Hamlin or Kyle Busch,you can get away with anything.

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  11. 11
    Patrick Lloyd said:
    May 28, 2008 at 10:07 PM

    For the record,I'm not a fan of Dale Jr or Jr Motorsports,but I am a fan of fairness and consistency. Obviously,Hamlin should have been penalized for his actions and both Denny and Brad's pit crews should have been penalized for their part in the post-race altercation.

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  12. 12
    Worm Dirt said:
    May 29, 2008 at 12:21 AM

    I couldn't agree with you guys MORE!!! Why should Nascar continue to be biased towards any one single driver?!?!? It's just NOT FAIR!!! I'm so mad I could spit!!!!! We can't just sit here and take this everyone.........Let's set up an e-mail campaign directly to the highest office at Nascar.... and DEMAND that Dale Junior be fined and penalized or suspended for passing a car under caution to retaliate with a bump to Denny's fender!!!!! Hypocrites UNITE!!!!! WE CAN'T LET OUR SPORT BE HIJACKED LIKE THIS!!! Unbelievable?!?!?!?

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  13. 13
    Worm Dirt said:
    May 29, 2008 at 12:21 AM

    I couldn't agree with you guys MORE!!! Why should Nascar continue to be biased towards any one single driver?!?!? It's just NOT FAIR!!! I'm so mad I could spit!!!!! We can't just sit here and take this everyone.........Let's set up an e-mail campaign directly to the highest office at Nascar.... and DEMAND that Dale Junior be fined and penalized or suspended for passing a car under caution to retaliate with a bump to Denny's fender!!!!! Hypocrites UNITE!!!!! WE CAN'T LET OUR SPORT BE HIJACKED LIKE THIS!!! Unbelievable?!?!?!?

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  14. 14
    M. Sanderson said:
    May 29, 2008 at 5:16 AM

    Gibbs has the terrible twosomes,,,,The next photo I expect will be Kyle and Denny sitting at the starting line sucking their thumbs and lamenting how nice the world would be if Jr. didn't race. These two need to grow up before they seriously take somebody out. Envy is a ugly trait to have and nothing good ever comes from it.

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  15. 15
    D Treadway said:
    May 29, 2008 at 5:30 AM

    Worm Dirt - boy does your name fit! I believe both teams should have been penalized, again, Nascar is playing favorites with the gibbs teams. Both Denny and Kyle are very immature jerks. If I were both of them, I'd be looking out my rearview window at all times on the track, they've made too many enemies. I also hope Tony Stewart sees what is happening, and moves on to bigger and better.

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  16. 16
    Teresa Geer said:
    May 29, 2008 at 5:36 AM

    Worm, yes, here is your first Dale Jr fan. Jr went up to bump him, he didn't take off a fender like denny did brad. I do agree that Nascar should fine everyone that was involved in the arguement later in the race. But once again NASCAR can't seem to keep the rules in place for everyone. Kyle Busch needs to get over being let go from Hendrick Motor. He needs to let go of the jealous and hatred that he has before someone seriously gets hurt by his no care attitutde that he annouces all to well. JR Nation will never and I say NEVER will route for that has been BUSCH!!!!!! Come on JR Nation. Speak your mind to some of these people......

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  17. 17
    Francine D'Alonzo said:
    May 29, 2008 at 5:47 AM

    The issue is NASCAR's inconsistency. A penalty for tapping a car (no damage) from the rear by a driver in the "learning" series should be expected. BUT an "experienced" cup driver with malice, throwing an on track tantrum, damaging another car under caution is unacceptable, and should not be tolaterated. I have to believe NASCAR doesn't want to offend TOYOTA. This, NASCAR is why you are losing fans.

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  18. 18
    Mark O'Brien said:
    May 29, 2008 at 7:30 AM

    Jr nation you want a little chesse with that whine. Tony Eury SR. was fined b/c he is responible for the entire crew. The other 2 were suspened b/c they throwed punches and just happened to hit NASCAR officals. Man no wonder they can't win, they can't tell the difference between offical uniforms and z line uniforms. Good lord the last month of JR. Nation whining make Jeff Gordons seem so small.

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  19. 19
    Mark O'Brien said:
    May 29, 2008 at 7:37 AM

    Francine yea NASCAR's Inconsistency is right. Someone please explain to me why Dale Jr. was not penatilized for 5 violations he commited at the 600. Jr nation, when you Email nascar to complain about this ask them about him in the 600. Also please boycott watching it NASCAR doesn't care they have the T.V. Deals done for the next couple of years I'm Sure they won't miss you one bit. I sure if they come out with new toliet paper with 88 on it you will buy it. no maybe tissue's

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  20. 20
    S Beau said:
    May 29, 2008 at 7:54 AM

    I can see why the few members were punished, after all they apparently made contact with an offical. No matter how you slice that, its a major offense. But I still don't understand why Hamlin wasn't hit with a penalty. While Brad wasn't in the right for bumping Hamlin's car...it was just that, a bump (which is nothing new to the sport). If anything Brad probably messed up the nose of his own car. If he did that earlier in the race, it would have probably messed up his handeling, punishing himself. But here we have Denny lecturing us all about conduct in Cup....while exhibiting none of which he speaks in a Nationwide event. Shame the Cup drivers don't open their eyes to the fact that, 1)the regulars have more to lose and gain on Saturday's then they do. 2) They are partly to blame as to why the regular teams can't find sponsorships 3)And that they are the main reason the Busch points gets so spread out.

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  21. 21
    Mark O'Brien said:
    May 29, 2008 at 9:05 AM

    Does anyone here know if Whiskey River serve WHENINKIN?????????????????

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  22. 22
    Juniegirl said:
    May 29, 2008 at 10:49 AM

    Why should anyone be fined? This is racing you people. Does anyone remember the first televised Daytona 500? If you don't have the stomach for it, go watch ballet or something. Short track racing roots is all about slamming, banging, and fighting. It is not meant to be a politically correct sport. BUT, if NASCAR must fine, then be fair. Fine both teams. If they looked at the replay, they would see Hamlin's crew chief smiling right after he hit the 88. That sucks.

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  23. 23
    Juniegirl said:
    May 29, 2008 at 10:56 AM

    Everyone knew when JGR went with Toyota that they would be catered to by NASCAR, and they have. If Toyotas are allowed to keep winning so much, NASCAR will definately loose fans.

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  24. 24
    Chris Pontiff said:
    May 29, 2008 at 11:59 AM

    I didn't see Denny's crew rushing over to pounce on Brad. That is why Brad's team gets the penalty and not Denny. It wasn't for what happened on the track and if Brad would not have been antagonizing Denny then maybe he would have still had a left front fender. And as for anonymous on the first comment. NASCAR wanted drivers to show more emotion yes, but i don't think they want the crews going after a single driver. Thats just ridiculous. So to end with all this was started with Brad. First by bumping Denny under caution and then by his crew rushing after Denny. And once again if you think Toyota is being favored then come on. I recall in the Coke 600 Dale Jr was favored by having his speeding penalty taken back. God forbid is Kyle would have been the one, You all would have been outraged even more.

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  25. 25
    Juniegirl said:
    May 29, 2008 at 1:26 PM

    Denny stopped in front of Brad and that's why Brad bumped him to start with. Watch the replay. One of the replays show Hamlin slowing right down in front of Brad. With Hamlin's smart tail comments after the race, you would think HE had several championships or something. HA HA! What a jerk. His teamate Stewart brake checked the restart in the 600 like that too. Wrecked good cars for no reason.

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  26. 26
    Mark O'Brien said:
    May 29, 2008 at 1:27 PM

    Chirs you are right about the penatly during the 600 on speeding but if pit 3 times. 3 speeding penatlys, 1 passing a saftey vechile at speed( that is let go by nascar that fine) 1 Passing cars on pit road and 1 pitting before pit road was open. 5 or 6 in all. Is there blog's on this no theres not. Anyone want to go have a Whenikin

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  27. 27
    Mark O'Brien said:
    May 29, 2008 at 1:34 PM

    Junie girl i saw the race and the replays i didn't see where Denny stopped or slow down. They are under caution and i guess when brad speeds up to go hit him it could give that allusion. Remember the saying if you don't start stuff there wont be stuff. the crew guys get paid all this money and that fender would have took them 15 minutes at the shop to fix. Shounds to me Jr Motorsports is LAZY

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  28. 28
    Mark O'Brien said:
    May 29, 2008 at 1:42 PM

    Junie Girl also the fines form NASCAR is that the Crew Cheif is accountable for the action of the crew. that is why he got a 1000 dollar fine. If the crew members didn't hit NASCAR officals they would not have been suspended there are reason why they were and it b/c the hit the officals. Also JGR going to toyota has nothing to do with it JGR was Strong last year in Chevys. they are getting the support with toyota the chevy give all there attention to Hendrick that is why Hendrick is a the top of all other Chevy teams.

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  29. 29
    Laura Johnson said:
    May 29, 2008 at 1:46 PM

    What suprises me is the lack of penalties for the ON-track incidents; I thought passing a car under caution in order to bump someone (Jr did it to Denny) was a no-no in NASCAR's rulebook. And Denny bumped Brad intentionally. Plus, Jr passed the emergency vehicle in the 600. So I think it's a hot mess that no penalties were given for the on-track stuff.

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  30. 30
    Mark O'Brien said:
    May 29, 2008 at 2:14 PM

    Laura you are 100% right there is a rule about passing car on the track and pit road Dale Jr. did this during the NAt race and the 600. Robby Gordon was penatlized for this earlier this year. BUT ROBBY IS NOT NASCAR TOKEN BOY. The on track stuff was probable let go for the fact of driver shown their personality's.

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  31. 31
    beau pustiak said:
    May 29, 2008 at 8:23 PM

    WHEN NASCAR STARTED WE WERE ALL AMERICAN NOW WE HAVE TOYOTA MAYBE HONDA AND HUNDYIA NASCAR HELPS THE NEWBIE AQUIRE BETTER EQUIPTMENT AND HELPS THEM WIN.. TAKE BACK THE TRUCK HEADS KEEP THEM ON TRUCKS,,IF THEY DONT LIKE IT OH WELL.......

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  32. 32
    Pearl Roll said:
    May 29, 2008 at 9:26 PM

    U all need to get a life and fine something else to whine about besides how baby boy Jr. is not winning cuz of everyone else. Face it he cant drive cuz he is to prim and proper. Go JGR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  33. 33
    Mark O'Brien said:
    May 30, 2008 at 6:03 AM

    Beau I'm not supporting Toyota but the stuff they make is just as bad Ford, Chevy and Dodge. NASCAR has not h