Louden Penalties

[eyepatrol]

Except for Mikey's fine for his gesture (which I didn't see and cannot conclude), the fines and penalties in my opinion to the 9 and 7 cars, ESPECIALLY the 7 car, are just a joke. I don't think you could even go so far as to say it was a slap on the wrist....that was more like a tap, or even less yet. $25,000 and $35,000 and 25 points and 50 points....what does that matter to the drivers? I mean really, $35,000 is pocket change for these guys and 25 or 50 points is nothing, especially since neither of them are in the chase. But look what damage could have been done to those that are IN the chase, or more so, possible bodily damage that could have occurred to Gordon for stepping out in front of all those cars.

That was a joke and a complete farse. NASCAR said they would be handing out stiff and serious penalties for actions like this. They talked the talk, but didn't walk the walk in my opinion. Sickening in my opinion. I think it should have been larger fines for the 9 car and as for the 7 car, nothing short of a 9 race suspension would have been appropriate in my opinion. Out for the rest of the year.

NASCAR had an opportunity to make a statement to all drivers regarding this behavior and they totally blew it. Except for those who are in the chase, who's going to really care if they get fined $25,000 or $35,000 and get docked 25 or 50 points? NASCAR had a real opportunity to do something about this for future races and maybe even future seasons, but they didn't. They simply went to their book of rules and said, yep, here's what the penalty is for purposely hitting another car, and yep, here's what the penalty is for cursing on TV. They didn't step outside the box and look at the big picture.

I don't get mad very often or very easily, but this has really upset me. Not very often does NASCAR get the opportunity to set presedence on actions and behaviors, and they really blew it, again, with this opportunity. What kind of message does this send to other drivers and other kids or fans of the sport? Not a very strong one.

[Guest]

AS always, all talk and no action,when there is a bad accident then they might hand out a stiffer penalty.As long as they keep letting these drivers get away with it,it will continue.

[lawdog]

Agreed. Complete joke. I'm a Kahne fan, but I would have parked him (although I guess they did park him the rest of that race and didn't let him come back) and I would have parked R. Gordon for two races.

[snowman678]

While I agree that NASCA$$ once again peed all over themselves by grandstanding about big punishments and then doing virtually nothing, I have to disagree on the severity of punishment for each guy. Maybe you can clarify, but I didn't see Robby wreck anybody on Sunday. Yes, he wanted to, and tried to, but didn't. He threw his helmet and said bad words on TV, not the first time for either, and never in the past have those actions drawn season long suspensions. I could see 1 race being justified. Kahne on the other hand was successful in that he did wreck Busch, under caution. Why should he not be suspended? I also don't see what difference it makes if you wreck someone who's "in the chase", or any other driver. Either way someone could get injured or killed, and nobody is any more important than anyone else from that standpoint, IMHO.

[PierBridge]

Quote:

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I'm a Kahne fan,

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So was I, he should have been suspended now the spoiled little (Contact US Regarding This Word) knows he can get away with it in the future.

Of course I knew Nascars PREPPY weasel would skate on this.

[lawdog]

Snow, my only reasons are this:

First, 9 and 7 both tried to hit someone under caution, Kahne just succeeded but they did the same thing. 7 Didn't quit there though, he walked onto the track and put himself and the safety crews at risk by being out there and then threw the helmet at the same driver he tried to hit. Then, as if he hadn't done enough, he went and called him a piece of "dung" on live air. Kahne did one dumb/bad thing, R. Gordon did three in a row...obviously 3 is worse than 1

[eyepatrol]

Here's some added thoughts I have on the problems of the penalties and the events that had occurred.

As for the fines....the reason why I say "who cares about $25K or $35K" is because that's a drop in the bucket for these guys. It doesn't provide incentive to not do it again to those drivers or any other drivers. It's like this...if someone hits me in the face, and I'd get fined $5 to hit him back, well heck yes, I'm going to hit him back and pay the $5. It's nothing...it isn't going to hurt my pocket book a bit, and I'd feel better for it (so to speak). The fines need to be bigger, much much bigger.

Snowman:

As for whether Gordon hit him or not...if a person tries to shoot somebody and misses, they would still be convicted of attempted murder, would they not? It's what Gordon tried to do but was unable to accomplish. The actions need to be punished, whether they were successful or not. And the punishment needs to be big enough to deter a person from doing it again. If a person is convicted of attempted murder, fined $25,000 and set free, would that be enough incentive for him not to do it again? I would doubt it would be. That's a bit of an extreme comparison, but it's the same principle.

What difference does it make if you're in the chase or not? $4M to start out with. Yes, I understand that anyone could get killed or injured and nobody is more important than the other. I completely agree with that. But NASCAR has said in prior drivers meetings that if someone does something to affect the outcome of the chase or those within the chase, they will be sternly punished. So in NASCAR's eyes, and from a competition standpoint (not a safety standpoint), the drivers in the chase are more important. They don't want somebody out there getting mad, doing some blatant thing, and have it affect those in the chase. That's how I understand it at least. And that's why I put an emphasis on how the stupidity shown on the track could have had an affect on those who are in the chase.

[snowman678]

Bass, I do see your points, and like I said, I agree to a certain extent, but you still haven't explained why Kahne shouldn't also be suspended. To use your attempted murder example, then would Kahne not be guilty of murder? So attempted murder by Gordon is worse than actual murder by Kahne? Just food for thought.

Law, I wasn't actually responding to your post, you just beat to to the post button. I am not condoning Gordon's actions at all, I just don't see what makes his actions worthy of suspension and anothers similar actions not.

I'm not trying to start arguements or fights with anybody, just trying to offer another viewpoint.