Past NASCAR Anger Penalties

Last week Carl Edwards was parked for the rest of the race and then received a three race probation for his intentional dump of Brad Keselowski.  Just for some perspective I wanted to go back through some recent NASCAR penalties and see how this stacks up.

Clearly the standards are different now under NASCAR's new "let them race" policy.

Past NASCAR Anger Penalties originally appeared on About.com NASCAR Racing on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 at 22:58:57.

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Carl Edwards Gets Off With Probation

It  looks like NASCAR is going to honor their commitment to let them race.  NASCAR announced today that Carl Edwards would face a three-race probation for his intentional punt of Brad Keselowski in Atlanta. No fine, no points deduction, no suspension, nothing else.

During the off-season NASCAR promised that they were going to let the drivers go at it like the old days.  It has only taken four races for Carl Edwards to put that to the test.  A three-race probation is barely a slap on the wrist.  Probation is virtually meaningless in NASCAR.

I guess we know now that NASCAR is serious about letting them race.   I am afraid for the safety of everyone on the track and in the stands when intentionally wrecking another driver at nearly 200 MPH is not considered a serious offense.

What do you think?  Does the punishment fit the crime?

Carl Edwards Gets Off With Probation originally appeared on About.com NASCAR Racing on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at 13:49:03.

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Carl Edwards May Be In Big Trouble For Atlanta Wreck

At the beginning of the season NASCAR announced that it was going to let the drivers battle each other harder on the track and not penalize bumping and grinding.

During today's 2010 Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway Edwards intentionally spun Brad Keselowski causing him to get upside down and into the outside wall.  This was a scary wreck and fortunately Keselowski walked away unharmed.

There is a place for revenge in NASCAR but it is certainly not at Atlanta where speeds approach 200 MPH. Edwards had a couple of hours in the garage to think about it.  This was not a heat of the moment temper flare but a premeditated punt.

NASCAR usually hands out penalties on Tuesday.  Do you think he deserves more?

Carl Edwards May Be In Big Trouble For Atlanta Wreck originally appeared on About.com NASCAR Racing on Sunday, March 7th, 2010 at 23:23:52.

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NASCAR Returns To One Of Its Fastest Tracks

Atlanta Motor Speedway is famous for its high speeds and close finishes. The qualifying record in Atlanta is 197.478 MPH making it one of the fastest race tracks on the NASCAR schedule.

Even with the high speeds Atlanta also features great racing and close finishes. Will Atlanta Motor Speedway provide another thrilling finish like we saw in 2005 when Carl Edwards won by just .028 seconds? Or a repeat of 2001 when Kevin Harvick won by just .006 seconds?  We could be in for another barnburner this weekend in Atlanta.

NASCAR Returns To One Of Its Fastest Tracks originally appeared on About.com NASCAR Racing on Thursday, March 4th, 2010 at 02:01:21.

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Danica Completes Her First NASCAR Tour

Danica Patrick has competed in the first three Nationwide Series races of 2010. Now she will return to the Izod Indycar ranks until the New Hampshire race on June 26th.

So how did she do in her NASCAR debut?  In her first three Nationwide Series races she crashed twice and posted an average finish of 34th.  Her career best finish so far is a 31st place effort, three laps down, in California.

Based on the statistics Danica Patrick has not been very impressive so far.  I still believe she has talent and will be able to adapt to the heavy full-bodied NASCAR cars.  However, clearly it is going to take time.

Danica Completes Her First NASCAR Tour originally appeared on About.com NASCAR Racing on Monday, March 1st, 2010 at 23:36:21.

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Jimmie Johnson Takes Las Vegas With Pit Strategy

Jeff Gordon dominated the 2010 Shelby American at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  He lead 216 laps making most of the race a good opportunity for a nap.

However, pit strategy played a big role in the finish as Jeff Gordon's two tires were no match for Jimmie Johnson's four fresh tires. Johnson passed Gordon for the win with sixteen laps to go and pulled away to claim his second win in a row.

Thankfully we at least had pit strategy in play to make the race interesting at the finish. If Gordon had equal tires this race would have been a complete wash.

Jimmie Johnson Takes Las Vegas With Pit Strategy originally appeared on About.com NASCAR Racing on Sunday, February 28th, 2010 at 20:44:44.

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Las Vegas Brings Busch Brothers Home

Kurt and Kyle Busch grew up in the Las Vegas area and cut their racing teeth in the desert around the city.  This weekend the NASCAR Sprint Cup series continues its west coast swing with the 2010 Shelby American at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Younger brother Kyle became the first to claim victory in Vegas when he won this race last season.  Kyle has yet to score a top ten finish in 2010.  Will this be the week that Kyle puts his Toyota back in Victory Lane?

Las Vegas Brings Busch Brothers Home originally appeared on About.com NASCAR Racing on Thursday, February 25th, 2010 at 00:17:50.

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Harvick Tops Early Point Standings

Kevin Harvick is off to a good start in 2010.   His seventh place finish in Daytona and second place effort in California are good enough to give him the early point lead after just two events.

Does it mean much? Not really.  But I'm sure he's happier to be on top of the points than he would be if he were mired back in the nine-way tie for 48th.

Here are the current 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Point Standings.

Harvick Tops Early Point Standings originally appeared on About.com NASCAR Racing on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010 at 00:02:57.

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