Stewart/Gordon UPDATE Stewart Penalized: ….#24-Jeff Gordon had been working #20-Tony Stewart from behind for the fourth-place position for several laps, but entering Turn 3 on the last lap, he slid all the way down to the apron to try to get past Stewart. As Gordon tried to pass, he and Stewart collided and Stewart spun out. Gordon was able to hang on and finish fourth. Stewart ended up 25th. But it wasn’t over. Stewart came back around and drove onto pitroad and hit Gordon’s car causing Gordon’s car to spin. The drivers, their crew chiefs and team owners were all called to the NASCAR hauler following the race to discuss the incident. Kevin Triplett, NASCAR’s director of operations, said penalties may be forthcoming and would likely be announced by Tuesday.(That’s Racin’ and see a story at NASCAR.com Buzz)(3-25-2001) UPDATE: NASCAR officials announced today they have penalized NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver Tony Stewart for intentionally running into the car driven by Jeff Gordon during the cool-down lap of the Food City 500 at the Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn. Stewart, driver of the #20 team, was fined $10,000 and placed on probation until Aug. 29th. Stewart was penalized under Section 12-4-A in the 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Series rule book: “…actions deemed by NASCAR Officials as detrimental to stock car racing…”(NASCAR PR). Been asked too much so here it is: What does probation mean? “Probation may be for a specified time period to review the conduct of a member to determine whether a more severe penalty is warranted”. In other words, stay out of trouble. Probation is NOT a suspension.(3-26-2001)
