Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Dog
From ESPN:
http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/cup...13th-car-chase
JOLIET, Ill. -- Jeff Gordon has been added to the Chase for the Sprint Cup field by NASCAR chairman Brian France as a result of the "unfair" tactics by other teams that knocked him out late in the regular season finale at Richmond.
The Chase, usually consisting of 12 drivers, will now consist of 13 eligible to win the championship.
"There were too many things that altered the event and gave an unfair disadvantage to Jeff and his team, who would have qualified," France said Friday at Chicagoland Speedway, the site of first race of the Chase.
"I have the authority to do that. We will do that."
Gordon was in place to grab the 10th spot in the standings and advance to the Chase before a spin by Clint Bowyer with seven laps left caused a caution that also took Ryan Newman out of position to win and qualify for the postseason.
Newman was added to the Chase on Monday in place of Bowyer's teammate Martin Truex Jr. because of the spinout.
NASCAR also put Front Row Motorsports and Penske Racing on probation Friday after radio chatter appeared the teams colluded to allow Penske's Joey Logano past Front Row's David Gilliland to earn points that made him the 10th-place driver in points. |
As a Gordon fan, Ive got mixed emotions about it. It was certainly disappointing leaving the race Saturday night having missed by 1pt. Do I feel he got screwed on the deal, yes. But he never should have been in that situation to begin with. 5 DNF's on the year will do that...
I guess I'm glad they made it right. I dont think given his lack of real competitiveness over the last couple of years, I dont see him winning the chase, he is #13 on Friday the 13th...that cant be the best of omens.