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National Stock Car Racing Commission rescinds probation for Stewart, Logano

By SceneDaily Staff

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Article Rating: 5.0
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The National Stock Car Racing Commission rescinded the probation of drivers Joey Logano and Tony Stewart stemming from the NASCAR Nationwide Series horsepower test scandal Aug. 16 at Michigan International Speedway.
 
The Joe Gibbs Racing teams were found to have put a magnetic spacer under the gas pedal to keep the engines from generating maximum horsepower during dynamometer testing following the Michigan race.
 
NASCAR indefinitely  suspended the crew chiefs, car chiefs and engine tuners from both the JGR teams as well as an additional employee. The drivers and teams were docked 150 points and the crew chiefs were fined $50,000. The drivers also were put on probation through the end of the season.
 
JGR appealed only the driver probation portion of the penalties. Drivers under probation are subject to harsher penalties for future infractions, although NASCAR typically doesn’t escalate the penalties unless the infraction is similar to the one for which the probation was originally issued.
 
The appeals committee heard the case Wednesday and “unanimously decided to amend the penalties assessed by NASCAR, removing the probation portions of both driver penalties,” according to a commission statement.

Chairman George Silbermann and committee members Buddy Baker and Jim Williams heard the appeal.

Average Rating: 5.0

Comments

18 responses to "National Stock Car Racing Commission rescinds probation for Stewart, Logano"
  1. 1
    emily bagwell said:
    Sep 3, 2008 at 7:13 PM

    I wonder if those involved ever get tired of kissing Toyota and JGR's collective @$$#$!!!!

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  2. 2
    beth emerson said:
    Sep 4, 2008 at 1:05 AM

    I think they made the right choice in taking back the penalities for the drivers.Neither Stewart or Lagano had anything to do with what the car and crew chiefs do. I do however think they may have known about it.But they are not the ones who make the final choice. Cant blame them for something someone else did.

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  3. 3
    Grandma Sharon said:
    Sep 4, 2008 at 5:31 AM

    In this case I do not believe the drivers had anything to do with the decision nor that they were aware of the plan to place the magnets under the pedals. One of the rare occasions of NASCAR doing something right.

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  4. 4
    Juniegirl said:
    Sep 4, 2008 at 5:57 AM

    I think this sucks. Look at the penalties in the past couple of years for all of the violations. NASCAR always penalizes the driver too, no matter what. No, I don't think Stewart or Logano knew had anything to do with it. You think Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards and Dale Jr. know when their crew pushes the envelope? No. They were penalized though. NASCAR is sucking up to JGR and Toyota. No wonder the ratings are down. I hope they will have it just like they want it. NASCAR makes the rules up as they go.

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  5. 5
    PitFrog said:
    Sep 4, 2008 at 7:28 AM

    They cheated and were likely the ones who placed the magnets there to begin with before the cars were impounded for the dynamometer testing. Great start Joey!

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  6. 6
    trackdebris said:
    Sep 4, 2008 at 7:47 AM

    Way to leap to the bottom line frog!..... I agree.

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  7. 7
    gwen thompson said:
    Sep 4, 2008 at 8:46 AM

    You are right juniegirl. I agree with you all the way. I think Nascar, JG driver should have paid the consequences as the past drivers has had to DO!!!! nuh

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  8. 8
    Scott Simmons said:
    Sep 4, 2008 at 8:47 AM

    I think that this is a major step in seperating penalties. You should not penalize drivers for stuff that the crew chief does. Just like they did not put Kyle's and Carls' crew chiefs on probation for what happened on the track. The drivers should not be working on the cars. If they are then they are subject to crew penalties. In this day and age drivers have no business working directly on a car during a competition weekend. This was the right call.

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  9. 9
    Scott Simmons said:
    Sep 4, 2008 at 8:49 AM

    I will also state that Martin Truex Jr. got a raw deal earlier when they took points away from him for what the team did. I think viewing this new ruling he should appeal his Driver point loss. This has major implications for him as he may have a better chance on making the chase and there by creating more revenue dollars for his team and himself.

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  10. 10
    Irene Macfie said:
    Sep 4, 2008 at 9:18 AM

    I don't agree with this. It should be the same for ALL drivers and teams.How many drivers have had points taken away before?And just recently too.One rule only should be put in order and stick to it. This is just NOT fair.

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  11. 11
    delnita hazell said:
    Sep 4, 2008 at 1:38 PM

    It's amazing how certain drivers can get away with things. Don't give me the "they didn't actually do it" argument. They knew - they should take the heat. Many other drivers are treated across the board with penalties, but certain "babies" seem to only get a slap on the wrist. This is getting old. NASCAR needs to wake up.

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  12. 12
    Scott Baker said:
    Sep 4, 2008 at 1:42 PM

    WOW, does NASCAR know how to create uncertainty. I am quite frankly shocked at this removal penalties. Does this mean that they initially had information the drivers knew of the trangressions and only after additional research were able to determine the drivers did not? And if so, does that tell the public that NASCAR hands out penalties prior to their due diligence? And if that is true.....?

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  13. 13
    emily bagwell said:
    Sep 4, 2008 at 10:06 PM

    Scott Simmons, you bet Truex and others have had a raw deal. That's exactly why NASCAR shouldn't be changing their rules midseason and this close to the chase.You cannot arbitrarily make rules and change things in something as important as penalties when so much is on the line for the drivers. NASCAR is grasping at straws because they have screwed up this sport beyond repair.

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  14. 14
    emily bagwell said:
    Sep 4, 2008 at 10:07 PM

    P.S. You are absolutely correct, Juniegirl!!!

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  15. 15
    PB said:
    Sep 5, 2008 at 9:31 AM

    They only lifted the probation portion of the penalties for Stewart and Logano.. The points penalties and Crew suspensions remain in place.. Typically when these types of penalties are levied for car infractions they take away points from the Driver and Owner and may suspend Crew Chiefs, etc.. but normally the Drivers are not put on Probation.. I do not believe Jr. or Truex received any probation for their incidents either only point deductions so this would be consistent with how they have treated others...

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  16. 16
    Scott Baker said:
    Sep 5, 2008 at 3:44 PM

    PB, If what you say is true, Why did they place the drivers on probation to begin with? Doesn't make sense, I'm not claiming anytype of favortism for JGR, but rescinding the penalty is odd.

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  17. 17
    PB said:
    Sep 5, 2008 at 4:26 PM

    Scott, I thought at the time putting the drivers on probation was very odd unless they had some indication of driver involvement. The only other ting I could think of is they reacted hastily to avoid and hint of favoring JGR.. I really hope it was just a hasty decision..

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  18. 18
    Gladys Bedwell said:
    Sep 5, 2008 at 6:06 PM

    Juniegirl - Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards and Dale Jr were docked points, not put on probation. All NASCAR recinded was the probation portion from Tony and Joey. The points are still gone. I think NASCAR was correct to drop the probation. You can calm down, NASCAR is not picking favorites.

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