NASCAR Explains The Difference In Martinsville Penalties

Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

After the dust had settled from Jeff Gordon’s celebration at Martinsville, NASCAR fans were left wondering what the sanctioning body was going to do with Danica Patrick and Matt Kenseth. Both Patrick and Kenseth intentionally wrecked a driver in the race, Patrick took out (or at least attempted to take out) David Gilliland while Kenseth took out race leader and championship-hopeful Joey Logano. Following the incidents NASCAR suspended Kenseth for two races and placed him on probation. Patrick also received probation but she was fined and loss points instead of also receiving a suspension.

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After the penalties were announced NASCAR came under fire from the fans who could not understand the difference in the penalties. On the surface it would seem that the only difference is that Logano was in the Chase and Gilliland is not in the Chase. On Wednesday NASCAR finally provided some answers about why they came down harder on Kenseth than they did Patrick. NASCAR Chairman & CEO Brian France appeared on the SiriusXM Radio Speedway show on Wednesday and spoke about the penalties, needless to say his explanation doesn’t make anyone truly feel any better.

"Going back to Richmond, we made it very clear that anybody in the industry, any driver or participant who intentionally tries to alter the outcome of events or championships, that that crosses a different line than a racing problem between two drivers. What Robin (Pemberton) was saying a few years ago was hey look, boys have it, do your normal thing, and if we over-officiate, we’ll draw back on that and let the normal racing action of NASCAR happen. And that’s what he meant, and that’s what we tried to do… when there are lines that are crossed, like we believe there were in Martinsville, then NASCAR will step in and deal with that. And it’s as simple as that."

After the penalties were announced the perception was that NASCAR was putting the Chase above all else, which of course is a dangerous way to run business in the mind of some. After France further explained the thought process it is now clear that NASCAR is putting the Chase above all else.

What will this mean moving forward?

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Well, drivers will now have two thought processes moving forward. Given the Kenseth penalty we will now have drivers understanding and expecting a suspension if they do something similar to Kenseth. Or, drivers will now wait until the person that upset them is out of the Chase. Of course if that opportunity doesn’t present itself in the current season, they can always wait until next season. Why not put the payback in the back pocket and hold it until the following season when a driver is about to win the Daytona 500 or a race late in the season that could put them in the Chase?

The bottom line here is that wrecking someone is wrecking someone and aside from a drivers history of such behavior, no other factors should be considered.