Photo credit: www.motorsport.com
Race manipulation is an issue that has surfaced multiple times in NASCAR and other forms of motor racing. Notable incidents include SpinGate involving Clint Bowyer in 2013, CrashGate with Nelson Piquet Jr. in Formula 1 during 2008, and the recent P2P scandal affecting IndyCar and Team Penske. During the Championship 4 Media Day, Joey Logano of Team Penske emphasized the importance of how governing bodies respond to such controversies in order to uphold the sport’s integrity.
“It’s essential,” Logano remarked when asked about maintaining credibility in racing. “There are numerous documentaries that show how improper conduct can ultimately damage a sport. NASCAR finds itself in a position where they must take action. This involves everyone involved in the racing community.”
“Whatever the rule is—be it the 100% rule or regulations regarding car assembly—if those rules are not enforced, the sport risks disintegration. It’s vital to maintain that enforcement,” he added.
The 100% rule was created after Michael Waltrip Racing’s attempt to manipulate the outcome of the 2013 playoff race. This somewhat ambiguous guideline mandates that all competitors must race to the best of their abilities to secure the highest possible finish.
The Role of Manufacturers in Racing
While discussions about race manipulation are at the forefront, another key topic is the increasing dominance of manufacturers and the close cooperation among teams aligned with the same Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). Ross Chastain and Austin Dillon may not have been affiliated with Hendrick Motorsports nor used Hendrick engines, yet they strategically collaborated to support William Byron in the No. 24 car.
Denny Hamlin recently expressed concerns regarding excessive manufacturer influence on race outcomes, yet Logano took a different stance, looking at the significant role that the Next Gen car plays in this dynamic.
“In some respects, the influence has increased, while in other respects it hasn’t,” Logano explained. “The Next Gen car emphasizes the importance of manufacturers because there are limitations to what we can control. The chassis is standardized, but the body and engine—those are crucial components that OEMs can manage. These factors contribute significantly to race performance.”
“Teams have the skill to fine-tune their cars to achieve better performance, but we’ve witnessed how collective discrepancies can arise. Earlier this season, for example, all Ford teams struggled. It’s evident that the OEM has an impact. We’ve managed to correct those issues collectively, which is commendable,” he added.
Evaluating the Severity of NASCAR’s Penalties
The penalties assessed by NASCAR over the recent manipulation allegations did not consider the car manufacturers and specifically targeted the three implicated teams. The penalties were notably severe, amounting to fines of $600,000, nine suspensions, and the deduction of 50 points from both drivers and team owners. However, questions linger as to whether these penalties are sufficiently deterrent.
“I’m not sure,” Logano responded candidly. “NASCAR needed to take action because turning a blind eye would lead to increasingly severe infractions in the future. They’ve set a precedent. Whether the response was adequate or not remains to be seen,” he acknowledged, highlighting that if similar infractions recur, the initial penalties may be deemed insufficient.
Trackhouse pursued an appeal against the penalties but was unsuccessful, while RCR and 23XI ended up retracting their appeals. As the championship contenders head to Phoenix, each OEM will have at least one representative in contention for the title. Given the circumstances, the temptation to engage in strategic interference may arise again, but, as Logano articulated, it is crucial for the integrity of the sport that participants resist such inclinations.
Source
www.motorsport.com