Logano turned Kenseth for the win with five laps remaining, a move that ultimately kept Kenseth from advancing to the third round.
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American racer Matt Kenseth has been suspended for two races after he deliberately hit Joey Logano’s race vehicle last Sunday at the Martinsville Speedway. That isn’t to say the season was a wash-out, but at this moment in time, NASCAR is so competitive that drivers, owners, and crew chiefs can’t afford not to take every moment on the track seriously, and be conservative with their cars and focus on winning races. “Just a complete coward”. “He was taken out of a race win and a shot at the championship in Kansas and right or wrong, when that happens, you aren’t going to forget it. You are going to take that win or championship away from someone else if you get that opportunity and that’s exactly what happened”. “If NASCAR doesn’t drop the hammer hard on him, shame on them”.
The suspension ends Kenseth’s streak of 571 consecutive race starts.
NASCAR drivers Joey Logano and Matt Kenseth have made contact with one another twice in the past three weeks, with each initiating contact. Kyle Busch, mentioned earlier this week that the name on the side of the door decides the penalty. “These actions have no place in NASCAR”, he said. It took NASCAR nearly a week to sort out all the shenanigans and it was made clear by chairman Brian France that manipulating races was a very serious crime. “We don’t want any of our events to be altered in a way they shouldn’t be”. “What happened on Sunday, that’s not quite the way that we would have liked to see that turn out”. “And we’ll be dealing with that”.
The penalty levied against Kenseth is fairly unprecedented. “You can’t intentionally wreck the leader when you’re six or seven or however many laps down, especially not in the Chase”. I wouldn’t say I was surprised by my success, or any of my guys were surprised. Again, thanks for reading, hope you have a great rest of your day!!
Logano’s teammate, Brad Keselowski, argues that the driver code is interpreted differently by different drivers.
“We’re in an emotional business and sometimes it’s hard to keep your emotions in check but I think we have to do so for the benefit of the sport”, he said. You cannot cut him any slack on pit road.
The decision to suspend Kenseth is a testament of the stock auto racing organization’s commitment to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“Definitely my fault”, Kenseth agreed. “Of all years, I mean, of all years, I can not believe this”.
“I think it all depends on whose name is above the door on whether or not you’re allowed to do it”, Busch said.
“It’s a tough sport, and nobody will ever be able to fully understand the pressures, determination and commitment to succeed at NASCAR’s highest level”, Gossage said.
Joe Gibbs Racing will appeal the penalty, specifically the severity of the penalty handed down. Jones won the Xfinity Series race at Texas in April, and Crafton took the Truck race at the track in June. NASCAR’s big mistake was in not punishing Jeff Gordon for wrecking Clint Bowyer at Phoenix a couple of season’s back.
“There are several incidents”. Back then, both were going for the win.
Afterward, Kenseth said his crash was caused by a flat tire.
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NASCAR also fined Danica Patrick $50,000, docked her 25 points and placed her on probation until December 31 for trying to wreck David Gilliland during the Martinsville race. NASCAR will not defer the suspension pending appeal.
