[The Champ]

Alvin...

Calm down...

It was just a minor scuffle - no punches that I saw.

A few words directed towards a young self righteous punk. No comments about NASCAR - just some comments about another driver.

As far as comments like "I'm going to get him..." Logano said the same things last week about Hamlin. Logano didn't get suspended or fined, so NASCAR is being entirely consistent.

"Boys have at it" is ongoing. As long as there isn't any blatant retaliation (which there wasn't - it was just Logano's lack of skill that caused him to take Denny out) - it's just business as usual.

Until they start dealing more strictly with the Bash Brothers - there really isn't too much they can or should do to the other drivers in NASCAR - most of whom are actually good for the sport.

[MikeNoun]

I think the decision of "no fines, no discipline" is because this story made headlines in every major sports outlet, which is what NASCAR desperately needs. For sports media outlets to have this as their #1 story last Sunday night, over the NCAA March Madness stuff, was a huge home run for NASCAR.

And we can all be thankful that this wasn't Danica that blocked Tony Stewart, or slid up into Denny Hamlin. Think about it. If this were Danica instead of Joey Logano (just a hypothetical here, I realize Danica is Stewart's driver), that enraged driver would be suspended indefinitely, called a male chauvinist, be forced to do a public service announcements about anger management and domestic violence, and feminist groups and certain politicians would be calling for massive changes in how NASCAR treats women, and how there needs to be a 50/50 balance of female and male drivers, with ethnic diversity forced into the mix.

Latest Story:

Three-time Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart won't be fined for a post-race fight or vulgar statements about Joey Logano on Sunday at Auto Club Speedway, NASCAR announced Tuesday. NASCAR also won't discipline six drivers who were called to the hauler following the California race for entering pit road after the checkered flag, when the pit was closed.

In explaining his decision, Darby said Stewart and Logano didn't place anyone at risk, like during a 2011 incident at Darlington that led to $25,000 fines for Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick. In that altercation, Harvick took a swing at Busch, who stayed in his car. In trying to pull away, Busch pushed Harvick's car into the inside retaining walls with safety workers and crew members still in the area.

The scene between Stewart and Logano never reached that point. Stewart was angry that Logano blocked him on the final restart. After the race, Stewart cut off Logano's car on pit road with his, approached him and shoved him. A scuffle ensued, and Stewart lashed out during an interview later shown on Fox, with the cuss words bleeped.

[The Champ]

Originally Posted by MikeNoun

In explaining his decision, Darby said Stewart and Logano didn't place anyone at risk, like during a 2011 incident at Darlington that led to $25,000 fines for Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick. In that altercation, Harvick took a swing at Busch, who stayed in his car. In trying to pull away, Busch pushed Harvick's car into the inside retaining walls with safety workers and crew members still in the area.

The scene between Stewart and Logano never reached that point. Stewart was angry that Logano blocked him on the final restart. After the race, Stewart cut off Logano's car on pit road with his, approached him and shoved him. A scuffle ensued, and Stewart lashed out during an interview later shown on Fox, with the cuss words bleeped.

Ding, ding, ding... We have a winner!!!

No punches, no using the car as a weapon, no putting track workers at risk - means that "boys will be boys (and girls)".

I do live in fear of someone deciding to go after Iwanica - for the same reasons you mention Mike. She is an (overly) protected class right now by the media. Back in the day (1994) when Shawna Robinson won the first NASCAR pole at Atlanta many people were about ready to hang Mike Wallace when she wrecked in turn 3 of the first lap.

At least that was the initial reaction by the media - until the overhead shot from the blimp showed that Wallace never touched her - she got loose all on her own.

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by MikeNoun

I think the decision of "no fines, no discipline" is because this story made headlines in every major sports outlet, which is what NASCAR desperately needs. For sports media outlets to have this as their #1 story last Sunday night, over the NCAA March Madness stuff, was a huge home run for NASCAR.

And we can all be thankful that this wasn't Danica that blocked Tony Stewart, or slid up into Denny Hamlin. Think about it. If this were Danica instead of Joey Logano (just a hypothetical here, I realize Danica is Stewart's driver), that enraged driver would be suspended indefinitely, called a male chauvinist, be forced to do a public service announcements about anger management and domestic violence, and feminist groups and certain politicians would be calling for massive changes in how NASCAR treats women, and how there needs to be a 50/50 balance of female and male drivers, with ethnic diversity forced into the mix.

Latest Story:

Three-time Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart won't be fined for a post-race fight or vulgar statements about Joey Logano on Sunday at Auto Club Speedway, NASCAR announced Tuesday. NASCAR also won't discipline six drivers who were called to the hauler following the California race for entering pit road after the checkered flag, when the pit was closed.

In explaining his decision, Darby said Stewart and Logano didn't place anyone at risk, like during a 2011 incident at Darlington that led to $25,000 fines for Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick. In that altercation, Harvick took a swing at Busch, who stayed in his car. In trying to pull away, Busch pushed Harvick's car into the inside retaining walls with safety workers and crew members still in the area.

The scene between Stewart and Logano never reached that point. Stewart was angry that Logano blocked him on the final restart. After the race, Stewart cut off Logano's car on pit road with his, approached him and shoved .netA scuffle ensued, and Stewart lashed out during an interview later shown on Fox, with the cuss words bleeped.

Funny how no mention in most media coverage even when showing the video of Stewie blocking "The Kid" with his car. CALM DOWN Tony The Tiger!!!

[Alvin]

Page 21 and counting all you haters!!!

[Alvin]

Interesting that Tony would rant about Lagono being "a spoiled rich kid who never worked a day in his life..." While he owns the very car(s) that reportedly "rich daddy's girl" Danica drives. No skin for me either way who, what, where, when their $comes from.

Note in F1 and other series it is common for the DRIVER TO BUY HIS RIGHT TO DRIVE with influx of much needed cash to teams. Interesting.

So IS Danica really from affluent family backing?

[cuz68]

That was the best california race that i have ever saw,Is this the 6th year in ca for the cup races? IM GOING TO SPANK HIS BUT,HA HA.

[MikeNoun]

Denny Hamlin will miss six weeks with a compression fracture in his lower back.

[Formulabruce]

This is NOT last year.. New cars, no passing, or little, and "Blocking" after a pit, is the new thing. I expect "team blocking" .

[The Champ]

Originally Posted by Alvin

Interesting that Tony would rant about Lagono being "a spoiled rich kid who never worked a day in his life..." While he owns the very car(s) that reportedly "rich daddy's girl" Danica drives. No skin for me either way who, what, where, when their $comes from.

Note in F1 and other series it is common for the DRIVER TO BUY HIS RIGHT TO DRIVE with influx of much needed cash to teams. Interesting.

So IS Danica really from affluent family backing?

I don't know how affluent her family is, but when you allow your 16 year old daughter to drop out of HS and move her to Europe "to advance her racing career", you have more money than most.

The only "work" Iwanica has done is attempting to race and modeling. From the results, she should stick to what she does best.

I've said it multiple times - Tony only brought Iwanica to Stewart/Hass Racing to get the funding to start a 3rd team. Go-Daddy gave him cubic dollars....

Originally Posted by cuz68

That was the best california race that i have ever saw,Is this the 6th year in ca for the cup races?

Seeing as how I attended the Cup race in CA back in 2000 (and that wasn't the first year), I knew you were a little short on the years. 1997 is when the first Cup race was there.

[The Boss]

Originally Posted by MikeNoun

Denny Hamlin will miss six weeks with a compression fracture in his lower back.

THAT is the worst news of all!

At least Denny has a nice view at home!

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by MikeNoun

Denny Hamlin will miss six weeks with a compression fracture in his lower back.

Originally Posted by The Boss

THAT is the worst news of all!

That is not good news IMO. That compression could be a potential end-of-career event in the long run. Think of having to sit stationary for the duration of a race and how that affects the lower back, muscles and spine. Muscle relaxers etc. "not be used when operating heavy equipment" so not an option during a race for Hamlin. Would be a good thing for Lagono to visit him in rehab, display concern for fellow drivers injury, show some remorse, etc.

Take another look at that impact into the non-safer barrier area of the infield wall section...heck of an impact and reverse of G Force momentum.

Perhaps NASCAR should address and correct the lack of driver protection in these areas on all
tracks BEFORE a driver is disabled for life or worse killed from impact injuries. Good thing no one said anything about needed upgrade in track safety: Bam!!! $25,000 fine for pointing out the obvious to everyone.

Would have been pro-active of NASCAR to have included a safety review statement with their non-event inaction statement regarding Tonys attempted physical assault against Lagono.

Proaction v Inaction but the history is already there for the governing body...

[The Champ]

It is bad news about Hamlin. It was a heckuva shot he took as the result of Logano not being able to control his car by going in to the corner too hot.

At this point - I don't think there is anything Logano can do to improve the situation. He's managed to ruin his relationship with Hamlin - and no amount of "making nice" is going to change that.

Should there have been a safer barrier on the inside wall at that spot? Well on Sunday that would have been a good thing. But what we had last Sunday was a very unusual accident in a very unlikely spot.

The way to guarantee that no one ever gets injured in a crash at a race track is not to race at all. That is not acceptable to the fans or the drivers.

Alvin - there was a scuffle - not a physical assault. Stop being so melodramatic...

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by The Champ

...Alvin - there was a scuffle - not a physical assault. Stop being so melodramatic...

Champ pick a fight in the CH with your usual protagonist - not here... If you don't agree with me fine - move on to another thread. Everyone is entitled to their observations and opinions.

No harm no fowl so far IMO.

[MikeNoun]

Sounds like Elliot Sadler may be a possible replacement driver for Denny for the next few weeks. No NASCAR this Sunday, so that gives Gibbs a little more time finding a driver.

And it will be interesting to hear the crowd reaction the next time when Joey Logano is introduced.

[Region Warrior]

Originally Posted by The Champ

It is bad news about Hamlin. It was a heckuva shot he took as the result of Logano not being able to control his car by going in to the corner too hot.

At this point - I don't think there is anything Logano can do to improve the situation. He's managed to ruin his relationship with Hamlin - and no amount of "making nice" is going to change that.

Should there have been a safer barrier on the inside wall at that spot? Well on Sunday that would have been a good thing. But what we had last Sunday was a very unusual accident in a very unlikely spot.

The way to guarantee that no one ever gets injured in a crash at a race track is not to race at all. That is not acceptable to the fans or the drivers.

Alvin - there was a scuffle - not a physical assault. Stop being so melodramatic...

Looked like Logano was deliberately blocking a better car AND driver(stupid at that speed).
He confirmed after the race with the comment "Denny Hamlin was not going to win that race, no."

[pggto]

Originally Posted by Alvin

Interesting that Tony would rant about Lagono being "a spoiled rich kid who never worked a day in his life..." While he owns the very car(s) that reportedly "rich daddy's girl" Danica drives. No skin for me either way who, what, where, when their $comes from.

Note in F1 and other series it is common for the DRIVER TO BUY HIS RIGHT TO DRIVE with influx of much needed cash to teams. Interesting.

So IS Danica really from affluent family backing?

I spent the afternoon with TJ Patrick at the Milwaukee Mile 3 yrs ago, He's big into vintage snowmobile racing and he invited a bunch of us from Vintage Sleds.com to come down to the Milwaukee Mile. Seamed like a real down the earth kinda guy, had a good time, he went over Danica's Indy car with us as far as how everything worked, pretty cool. Danica spent about 15 min with us, but we had more fun talking old snowmobile racing with TJ! He didn't come off like a rich snob.

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by pggto

I spent the afternoon with TJ Patrick at the Milwaukee Mile 3 yrs ago, He's big into vintage snowmobile racing and he invited a bunch of us from Vintage Sleds.com to come down to the Milwaukee Mile. Seamed like a real down the earth kinda guy, had a good time, he went over Danica's Indy car with us as far as how everything worked, pretty cool. Danica spent about 15 min with us, but we had more fun talking old snowmobile racing with TJ! He didn't come off like a rich snob.

Cool...thanks for sharing, and good for TJ!

[The Champ]

Originally Posted by Alvin

Champ pick a fight in the CH with your usual protagonist - not here... If you don't agree with me fine - move on to another thread. Everyone is entitled to their observations and opinions.

No harm no fowl so far IMO.

Am I not allowed my opinion?


I wasn't pickin' a fight with you or anyone else. I was stating my opinion on the incident. I'm sorry if you didn't like my "melodramatic" comment, but that's my opinion of characterization of the scuffle.

[The Champ]

Originally Posted by Region Warrior

Looked like Logano was deliberately blocking a better car AND driver(stupid at that speed).
He confirmed after the race with the comment "Denny Hamlin was not going to win that race, no."

What Logano did, in my opinion and terminology, is use 8 wheel steering.

He went in to that corner too hot. There is no way he could maintain his line through the corner, so he needed to use Denny's 4 wheels to keep himself on the racetrack.

The result was predictable.