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May 02, 2007
Penalties handed down for contact
Kevin Harvick and Jamie McMurray were both fined $25,000 and put on probation until October 3, 2007 for...
what appeared to be intentional and unnecessary contact between the two cars after the caution froze the field on the white-flag lap of a green-white-checkered finish.
Yes, that's what the article said. I don't remember seeing or hearing anything about it, but according to NASCAR, it was "brought to their attention" when they were reviewing the tapes for the finishing order.
"It was brought to our attention then, and we reviewed the video again on Tuesday, as we normally do. We had discussions as a group and agreed that it warranted a penalty."
Neither driver was available for comment at the time of the article, but it sounds like they might address it Friday at Richmond.
McMurray, through a spokesperson, declined to talk about the incident until his scheduled stand-up session with the media Friday at Richmond International Raceway. Harvick could not be reached for comment.
Harvick likewise will be available Friday, but his public relations representative, Stacie Fandel, said both drivers were surprised by the severity of NASCAR's penalty. Fandel said McMurray's car, which was low on fuel, apparently sputtered on the final restart, causing contact with Harvick and Tony Stewart.
Unaware that McMurray was out of gas, Harvick reportedly retaliated by leaving a tire mark on McMurray's car as the incident escalated.
Granted, the end of the race and where everyone finished was confusing, but I don't remember seeing or hearing about this incident at all. You would think the way the TV coverage has been, they would have focused on something like this, but they didn't.
NASCAR may be making a big deal out of nothing here and I'd be interested in hearing what Harvick and McMurray have to say about it.
Anyone who taped the race see this?
Your thoughts?
May 2, 2007 in NASCAR | Permalink
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Comments
Let's combine 2 of NASCAR's most annoying elements into one and solve everything-Commercial Yellow Flags. Yep. Stop the action during the money making and get everyone bunched up for the restart. Fox should start a new segment for each week too. The Tony Stewart Conspiracy Theory of the week. After each race we could see what went wrong for #20 and figure out how NASCAR screwed him over. Last week is was the battery. That's a big yipper thar skipper. They gave him a shit battery. Now's he gotta get serious (on Sirius of course).
Posted by: jeffsuxcarltoo | May 3, 2007 7:10:24 PM
The amount of commercials is directly related to the amount of money the Networks paid to get the rights to cover Nascar. It's no different then the networks covering the NFL. There are just as many commercial breaks for that, you just don't miss any of the action because of TV timeouts and posession changes.
Highly unlikely networks would ever simulcast the race during commercials for Nascar. One, the sponsors pay too much for commercials and won't stand for it, and two, the networks don't have to. Simulcast is a ploy to attract viewers because the IRL is so unpopular. Nascar has a big viewrship and doesn't have to do it.
Posted by: Michael | May 3, 2007 12:44:52 PM
You sure......
NASCAR is really struggling right now just to make ends meet.
with all the licensing deals and merhchandising deals??
Posted by: Aggie | May 3, 2007 12:42:40 PM
NASCAR is really struggling right now just to make ends meet. They need these arbitrary driver fines from teams other than the "Hendricks Exceptions" to help pay for the empty seats and lost tv viewers. If this move is successful, then it could become retroactive all the way back to the last race that Buck Baker won. Wake up guys, there are bills to pay...like rent, food, electricity and fuel, just like you and me. These independent contractors, the racing teams, simply will not cooperate with
NASCAR as they are expected to. Ask not what
NASCAR can do for me...but what can I do for
NASCAR. You gotta believe!
Posted by: Jim | May 3, 2007 10:57:53 AM
I know it's been discussed before, but NASCAR really needs to look into simulcasting the race when there is a commercial break like the IRL does. I timed the comm breaks on Fox and at one time it was almost every five minutes.
Plus, whenever the race is shown, FOX will break away to demonstrates on the example car how the brakes work and stay cool.
DW recognizes racing accomplishments and his admiration for the HMS org is only natural.
Posted by: Jon2 | May 3, 2007 8:51:08 AM
France and all of his idiot "cronies" are the ones that are detrimental to the sport of stock car racing. I also want to file a complain agaist Tony Stewart for his latest comment comparing Nascar to big time wrestling. I used that line a few years ago. Tony's using up my best material. I wonder if France will try and fine me????
Posted by: jcee | May 3, 2007 7:55:08 AM
Typical Nascar being consistently inconsistent.
I agree with Ron that the Nascar camera coverage is a joke. It was pretty neat seeing an in car camera or bumper camera the 1st time but come on...we've seen it and the novelty has worn off. The in wall camera is the worst.
Posted by: NC Expat in Hong Kong | May 3, 2007 7:08:46 AM
Ironman, That's funny! D.W. has a pretty good throbber going for Toyota also.
Posted by: ron | May 3, 2007 3:22:05 AM
Er, make that his weekly Jeffy/Hendrick Motorsports lovefest.
Posted by: Ironman | May 3, 2007 12:19:21 AM
No one noticed because DW had a big hardon for his weekly Jeff Gordon lovefest.
Posted by: Ironman | May 3, 2007 12:18:18 AM
What about the tree differen incidents where Jimmie Johnson either bumped someone or spun them? I know it wasn't under caution but i would rank that up there the same way. Mike Helton and the NA$CAR boys have some explaining to do.
Posted by: Sonny | May 2, 2007 9:53:58 PM
Doesn't matter if there was actually contact, if NASCAR said there was, then you get fined. It's their game, their bat and ball so to speak so you either do what they say or you play somewhere else.
Posted by: Bill | May 2, 2007 9:27:15 PM
WOW!! Guess NastyCar watches DirectTV, huh?? Great post stricklinfan82!! It does get more convuluted every wk, I swear. What a friggin' non-issue as the whole picture is considered...
Posted by: Pamm from MI | May 2, 2007 9:10:48 PM
I’d like the fine and place on probation the France family, Mike Helton, Jim Hunter and Robin Pemberton.
“Actions detrimental to stock car racing” I am sorry I forget the section.
Posted by: Tony | May 2, 2007 8:34:56 PM
I saw the whole incident on the Harvick channel on NASCAR Hotpass (they never showed it on Fox). Harvick slammed McMurray in the door on the frontstretch coming to get the white flag under yellow. McMurray swerved at him in retaliation, and then after Harvick let McMurray back in line in front of him, Harvick hit him again and spun him out. This incident raises a few interesting points:
1.) Why didn't Fox show the incident? Did their production truck completely miss the whole thing, did they intentionally omit mentioning it, or do they just not have access to DirecTV's extra Hotpass cameras?
2.) Why did McMurray still get to finish in the top 5 despite spinning? I know it wasn't his fault but he was stopped after spinning and was passed by every car on the track (hence not maintaining pace car speed). It looked like he snuck back into his original position in line without NASCAR noticing that anything happened.
3.) Why didn't Harvick get an in-race penalty for this? He and Matt Kenseth had a very similar incident under a race-ending caution at Pocono a few years ago (2004?) and both were penalized to be the last two cars on the lead lap after the race was over.
Posted by: stricklinfan82 | May 2, 2007 8:15:06 PM
Its just getting goofier every week, it seems every lead story on monday is about off track shit, unreal the bs/media spins this year. Where is that Don Henley song.....
I make my living off the evening news
Just give me something-something I can use
People love it when you lose,
They love dirty laundry
Well, I coulda been a race car driver , but I wound up here
I just have to look good, I dont have to to win
Come and whisper in my ear
Give us dirty laundry
Kick em when theyre up
Kick em when theyre down
Posted by: Aggie | May 2, 2007 7:40:47 PM
Re: FedExGuy says:..Seems kinda silly unless they want a bunch of overly polite goody-boys out there racing....
Hey... they already HAVE several of them .I guess nascar is trying to change the REST of the drivers to be the SAME way. Sounds like nascar is trying to change nextel into a 'powder-puff derby'. As it is, they are losing fans more and more each and every week both at the track(s) and the TV viewing audience. Then again, maybe nascar doesn't really mind losing those fans since they are now interested in drawing the 'elitist' instead of the 'usual crowd'.
Posted by: Audrey | May 2, 2007 7:34:46 PM
Great comment Ron, especially the ending.
Posted by: Jon | May 2, 2007 6:53:37 PM
Kinda what I was thinking, Eric.
Is NASCAR going to start giving fines and probation every time someone donuts another guys door after 499 miles? Seems kinda silly, unless they want a bunch of overly polite goody-boys out there racing
Posted by: FedEx Guy | May 2, 2007 6:40:17 PM
Thanks to FOX I missed it , but I guess NA$$$CAR has to fine drivers for a little casual bumping after the race now . It's getting worse every week , thanks Brian France for continuing to ruin our sport .
Posted by: Eric | May 2, 2007 6:20:22 PM
Taped the race and saw it Monday. Too tough of a fine for on track,( it wasnt shown and reshown) but theres no pleasure with Happy right now regarding Jamie.
Posted by: Kurt2 | May 2, 2007 5:23:17 PM
What's next? Reviewing pit road speeds on tape? I never realized that penalties could be retroactive. Nascar is digging itself a big hole and maybe giving more prudence to the comments made by Tony Stewart that evidently irritated Nascar. Oh sure, they couldn't penalize Tony for the remarks he made on his radio show, however, they did find a way (after the fact) to penalize him for not showing up for the press conference. Heck, they didn't want to hear what he would have had to say in that conference anyway
Posted by: Lynn Dozier | May 2, 2007 4:59:26 PM
When I first read about this I thought, "This is a weird one." McMurray didn't even mention it in his post race interview and I think Harvick, never a shrinking violet, sure would have gone to McMurray if he had such a problem. I taped the race but I didn't see the incident Harvick and McMurray were fined for. Fox's coverage is so poor that it would be funny if it weren't so irritating. I mean come on! They insist on showing those boring "speed" shots from a camera stuck on the wall while there is a pass for the lead. I know the cars are going fast! That's why I watch! They also continually give us a shot of the flagman waving the checkers instead of the cars fighting for position while coming to the line. The race ain't over when the first car crosses the finish line! I am not picking on Fox, every network that shows Nascar these days does, in my opinion, a piss-poor job of showing us what is going on down on the track. My expectations are low and everytime I watch another race they get lower. The directors and producers are not race fans and don't even appear to be interested in the sport outside of their ability to make money ruining the races for the rest of us. I apologize for getting a bit off topic but the races, as presented on television, are as hard for me to put up with as an idiotic Mike Daly post.
Posted by: ron | May 2, 2007 4:51:15 PM
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