Points penalties too much
By Staff
Jeff Findley
Franklin County Times
NASCAR is at it again with huge points penalties and high-dollar fines.
Carl Edwards, clearly the best car last week at Las Vegas, won his second consecutive race and leapt to the top of championship standings. Well, he was at the top for two days until Tuesday, which is the dreaded day for the announcement of NASCAR penalties.
Edwards' car failed post race inspection and was found in violation of the infamous Section 12-4-A, actions detrimental to stock car racing. During the inspection, it was discovered that the cover of the oil reservoir was missing. Big deal, you say? Nope, that little transgression cost Edwards' team 100 points, $100 grand, and a six-week vacation for Bob Osbourne, Edwards' crew chief. Also, Edwards will not receive the 10 bonus points for winning the race should he make the Chase, which is pretty safe assumption.
The deduction of points dropped Edwards from first to sixth in the standings and moved Kyle Busch back to the top. Obviously, it is very early in the season, but 100 points at Richmond in September will mean a lot.
The oil reservoir is located inside the car, behind the driver's seat and the cover being off created an aerodynamic advantage. Now, I am by no means an engineer, but the box is inside the car, behind the driver's seat.
Geoff Smith, president of Roush Fenway Racing, issued a statement concerning the penalty.
"The bolt holding the lid in place failed in its purpose as a result of vibration harmonics generated by the car and the race track during the race. It's a tough business for any team to have to pledge $100,000, 100 points and a six race crew chief suspension as an indemnity payment to NASCAR against a promise forced from us by NASCAR that no bolt will ever fail its purpose under race conditions. We are currently evaluating whether or not the circumstances justify submitting to the unpleasantness of the appeal process."
I think Geoff meant to say that the bolt broke and that he didn't agree with the penalty. So given the reversal of Robby Gordon's penalties via the appeals process, Roush Fenway would be wise to give it a shot.
In another dig to this story, Lee White, a Toyota racing executive, is of the opinion that Edwards' team knowingly caused the cover to come off. White's contention is that an aerodynamic advantage would in fact be gained in that situation.
If you don't remember, Jack Roush was the main doomsayer when Toyota announced plans to enter cup racing. Somehow, I don't think the Cat in the Hat will take too kindly to Mr. White's opinion.
The next and fourth stop this season is Atlanta Motor Speedway. Looks like bad weather might be an issue again this weekend, but let's hope not. My pick to win this week and earn his first Hendrick Motorsport victory is Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
Jeff Findley is a guest columnist for the Franklin County Times. Findley is the publisher of the Roanoke-Chowan News Herald.
