I have read a lot of Blogs this week about what people think about the penalties issued for Carl Edwards’ missing oil cap. A lot of you, especially Carl Edwards fans, thought it was unfair because it was not Carl’s fault. A true story comes to my mind that I would like to share with you, eh? A friend of a friend was driving on the highway when his speed sensor went. He no longer knew how fast he was going. He was stopped by a Highway Patrol Officer for speeding. This friend of a friend explained to the officer that the speed sensor just broke. He proceeded to demonstrate it to the officer and even though he made his case, he still got a speeding ticket. So, was that fair? No. Was it his fault? Absolutely not. It did not matter to the officer how he got to speeding, the bottom line was still the same: he was speeding, eh? Same thing with Carl Edwards. It does not matter how the oil cap ended up being missing, it is the fact that it was missing plus the fact that it was also a Safety infraction that got him and his team the penalties.
I look at it this very plain and simple:
If you get caught with an infraction before Qualifying, no penalty.
If you get caught with an infraction during pre or post race inspection you get points, $$$ fine and/or suspensions.
If you get caught with an infraction during pre or post inspection for the 2ND TIME, you miss one race.
If you get caught with an infraction during pre or post inspection for the 3RD TIME, you sit out 6 races.
Trust me, apply the above mentioned rules and there will be no more cheating, eh?
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release-2.0.4.1/451 Wed Jul 9 19:20:39 UTC 2008
11 Comments
DBCooper07
Mar 10 2008 10:52
It was the housing cap.
Actually it wasn’t the oil resevoir cap, it was the oil resevoir housing cap which allows air to pass in and out of the car. Even DW and Larry Mac said, it gave 40-50 lbs of downforce more and that if they ever had a situation like that they were lead to believe that they should probably try it. I am not saying it was intentional, but the fact remains: it was an unauthorized aerodynamic change, it did benefit the performance of the car, teams are liable for anything like that. You are right, though you may not cause something, you are expected to maintain your equipment so as not to have situations like this.
daleernhrt8
Mar 08 2008 18:22
GRRRRRR JR should have won
I know that Carl himself did not “cheat” but u never know he may have known all about it (highly doubtful) But If the winner of a race is found guilty then he didn’t win the race the credit should go to Jr,,, and to top it off the wreck between Kenseth and
Gordon may not have happened either.. And Nascar penalized Robby 100 pts so they neeed to be consistent.
Gibbs4Life
Mar 07 2008 20:59
Precedent for "parking" a driver
This is a true story:
Back in ‘94 @ the fall race in Richmond, they found the #8 (the Stavola Brothers Ford, NOT the DEI Chevy) had an unapproved part on the roll cage.
They parked the car…which meant Jeff Burton missed that race (and he was running for ROY that year, too).
Everybody screamed “foul”, but it was all for moot. Burton got “parked” for something his team did.
So, there is a precedent for “parking” a driver…
JrCanuckFan
Mar 07 2008 18:14
I'm watching
Trackside. Interesting that Jack Rousch and Lee White of Toyota are spatting. Jack says it was unintentional and the team would have no idea of the advantage or disadvantage of the Oil cap as they’ve never looked into it. Lee White says oh yes they have, they tested it in the wind tunnel…...Lee says it was deliberate and they got caught. AS the Wheel turns continues…...
Now, I agree bandit that it doesn’t matter how it became missing and Carl SHOULD be penalized. Next time I hope they will sit out the driver.
KarinB
Mar 07 2008 14:44
Bandit
Good Blog!! I guess the teams are happy that you don’t write the rules, lol. But, you’re right. If infractions continue to occur regardless of the penalties imposed then maybe Nascar needs to step up the penalties. Sitting out a race will get their attention for sure.
Pugnut
Mar 07 2008 10:21
Like any Team Sport
when one member of the team is penalized it effects the whole team. When a driver wins a race, the entire crew shows up in victory lane. I’m sure they get a monetary bonus as well. Although the driver gets the points and the glory, the team benefits as well. By taking driver points away, everyone now has to work harder to get those points back.
changingto18
Mar 07 2008 08:39
I like you logic
but this is Nascar.
earn3hardt88
Mar 07 2008 07:43
wonder where that cover of the oil reservoir
What gets me carl’s car passed pre-inspection. Cap was on. Then after the race its inspected again and cap is gone. Where oh where did Carl’s oil reservoir cover go, oh where oh where can it be. Seems to me it was in his car then it became a mi is sing. Rules are rules Carl’s team needs to get their act together or he wont be driving #99 but be suspended himself
tab1956
Mar 07 2008 07:28
10-4
brother
brad3100
Mar 07 2008 06:55
Amen Brother!
As I said yesterday, the burden is upon the entire team to make sure the car is legit.