Robby Gordon all smiles after points penalty is rescinded
By Bob Pockrass - Associate Editor
Saturday, March 08, 2008
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Chris Trotman / Getty Images for NASCAR
HAMPTON, Ga. – Robby Gordon’s team now has the dubious honor of paying the biggest fine in NASCAR history as his crew chief, Frank Kerr, saw a $100,000 penalty turn into a $150,000 one.
But with the 100-point penalty rescinded by the National Stock Car Racing Commission on Wednesday, Gordon could smile Friday at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
NASCAR’s new fine policy awards all penalty money to the NASCAR Foundation.
“The points were important to us,” said Gordon, who moved up to 21st in points, 55 out of 12th. “I look at it as we’re the highest contributor to NASCAR Foundation. … Points are a victory.”
In fact, Gordon maybe won more than he even had anticipated by getting all of the points restored.
“To get zero [point penalty], I’m ecstatic about,” Gordon said. “We probably wouldn’t have been in this position at all if we had gotten 25, we probably would have taken our licks at 25.
“We just felt that 100 was so over the top. That’s what you get for blatant cheating.”
Gordon was penalized for having the wrong nose on the car when he presented the car for inspection prior to opening practice for the Daytona 500 last month. A week earlier, Gordon announced a switch from Ford to Dodge.
Gordon's team was sent a prototype nose that has been submitted but not approved by NASCAR.
“The biggest thing that I still stand by is we didn’t do anything wrong,” Gordon said. “Somebody made a mistake and delivered us the wrong nose. … We didn’t take a pre-certified part that was already certified and modify it [as other infractions].”
Prior to the appeal, Gordon indicated he would consider attempting the Indianapolis 500 if he lost the appeal and considered himself out of the Chase. Now he is focused on NASCAR, he said.
“I would say that’s off,” Gordon said.
- Mentioned Drivers:
- Robby Gordon
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