Nascar Chase for the Cup: Update

By Dylan Webster
Nextel Cup’s “Chase for the Championship” kicked off this weekend at New Hampshire International Speedway. Ryan Newman drove his Alltel Dodge to victory lane in a race filled with caution flags and temper tantrums.

While Newman picked up his first win in a year, and the first of the “Chase for the Championship,” most of the drama was supplied by drivers not involved in the chase. Michael Waltrip, Brian Vickers, and Kasey Kahne were all docked 25 points for their on- the-track behavior.

Not to be outdone, Robby Gordon walked out on the track during the caution to heave his helmet at Waltrip, who had caused his wreck. And Gordon was not done: When the TV crew caught up with him the driver proceeded to make some unsavory remarks of the four-letter variety that earned him a 50 point penalty.

NASCAR has stated that these actions will not be tolerated, but one must question their true intent. With all four drivers receiving penalization already out of contention for the cup, the punishment seems a bit toothless. It is a sure bet, however, that the first time one of these drivers wipes out a championship contender that the penalty will fit the crime.