Bad Day At JGR; Fines All Over

((HT: NASCAR/nascar.com))

From the NASCAR folks their ownselves...

NASCAR announced today that the No. 11, No. 18 and No. 20 teams that compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series have been penalized for rules violations discovered during opening day inspection June 17 at Michigan International Speedway.

All three of the Joe Gibbs Racing cars were found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-J (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in an event does not conform to NASCAR rules detailed in Section 20 of the NASCAR rule book, or has not been approved by NASCAR prior to the event); and 20-5.5.4A (oil pan, failure to submit component) of the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rule Book.

As a result, the three crew chiefs – Mike Ford (No. 11 car), Dave Rogers (No. 18 car) and Greg Zipadelli (No. 20 car) have been fined $50,000 each and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31. In addition, all three car chiefs – Chris Gillin (No. 11 car), Wesley Sherrill (No. 18 car) and Jason Shapiro (No. 20 car) along with Senior Vice President of Racing Operations Jimmy Makar have been placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31.

Here's the issues with the Logano Machine during practice at MIS
((HT: NASCAR on SPEED/youtube))

Earnhardt Junior On The Daytona Pole

Dale Earnhardt, Junior was .032 faster than Hendrick teammate Jeff Gordon, and that was good enough to give him the pole for the 2011 Daytona 500. The #88 clocked in with 186.089 miles per hour just ahead of the #24's 185.966

The rest of the positions are determined by the Duel Duals on Thursday...

But one of the more odd incidents happened during Denny Hamlin's qualifying when his steering wheel just stayed left...

((HT: NASCAR on FOX/youtube/NASCAR.com))


With the probability of Terry Labonte and Bill Elliott both using past champions' provisionals to get into the field, only 6 spaces will be available for eleven drivers.

Jimmie Johnson wins Sprint Cup again...other drivers just shake heads

Jimmie Johnson/Courtesy: examiner.com

Can you say "The Dominator"? NASCAR actually had a fairly thrilling end to its season this year...for maybe the first time, well, ever.

Their version of the playoffs, the Sprint Cup, came down to the final race. To those who don't follow, we'll set the scene: One race left, Denny Hamlin with a slim lead in the points standings. Just 15-points behind, Jimmie Johnson, the guy who had won the previous four titles in a row. The only other guy close, Kevin Harvick. But Harvick self-destucts and speeds down pit road, costing him any shot at the title.

Short version, Hamlin has a horrible final day, Johnson didn't. Johnson catches him in the point standings and has now won the last 5 titles.

Oh by the way, Carl Edwards was your winner of the Homestead-Ford 400 on Sunday.

Read the summary from the Miami Herald RIGHT HERE

Yes, the rest of NASCAR is trying to catch Johnson who along with his team at Hendrick Motorsports, have this whole Sprint Cup playoff thing down pat. They peak at the end of the season, every season...and they win.

As for NASCAR, it wasn't the banner year they were hoping for. Truly, they, much like golf, need to figure out a way to keep more than the hardcore fans interested after football starts. While a dramatic last race like the one on Sunday will help.

Here is Jimmie's reaction to winning the title. Thanks ESPN: