NASCAR has fined driver #11-Denny Hamlin $25,000 for comments he made following the March 3 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway. NASCAR determined that Hamlin violated Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) of the 2013 NASCAR Rule Book. NASCAR issued the following statement regarding the penalty: ‘Following the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event last Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway, Denny Hamlin made some disparaging remarks about the on-track racing that had taken place that afternoon. While NASCAR gives its competitors ample leeway in voicing their opinions when it comes to a wide range of aspects about the sport, the sanctioning body will not tolerate publicly made comments by its drivers that denigrate the racing product.”(NASCAR) Comments: NASCAR did not announce the specific comment that got Hamlin fined, but the following appears to be his primary complaint against the car after the race (per Toyota PR): Q: How much did you learn about the new race car today? Hamlin: ‘We learned a lot. I dont want to be the pessimist, but it did not race as good as our generation five cars. This is more like what the generation five was at the beginning. The teams hadnt figured out how to get the aero balance right. Right now, you just run single-file and you cannot get around the guy in front of you. You would have placed me in 20th-place with 30 (laps) to go, I would have stayed there “ I wouldnt have moved up. Its just one of those things where track position is everything.”(3-7-2013) UPDATE: Denny Hamlin said on Thursday that he refuses to pay the fine that NASCAR assessed him after comments he made regarding the new Generation 6 car last weekend at Phoenix International Raceway. The car debuted in the Sprint Cup Series this season. ‘Ultimately, Im not OK with it’ Hamlin said of the penalty. ‘This is the most upset and angry Ive been about anything in a really, really long time anything that relates to NASCAR “¦ the truth is what the truth is and I dont believe in this, Im never going to believe in it. As far as Im concerned, Im not going to pay the fine. If they suspend me, they suspend me. I dont care at this point.”( Fox Sports )(3-7-2013) UPDATE 2: NASCAR VP of Competition Robin Pemberton discussed the fine Thursday afternoon: Q. Denny Hamlin was saying hes not planned to pay the fine that he was given for his comments. What would be the procedure and how long does he have to pay? ROBIN PEMBERTON: He also has the ability to appeal. The fines are supposed to be paid as soon as possible, but were not in any of those windows yet where it seems to be a problem. Q. Where is the limitation for what drivers can say without facing a fine if they have concerns about the car, whatever? ROBIN PEMBERTON: We give them quite a bit of latitude, but you cant slam your racing, you cant slam your product. Thats where it crosses a line. Q. If Denny wants to appeal the fine, what would that process entail? ROBIN PEMBERTON: He has to let us know. He has to write a letter. Q. He can continue to compete? ROBIN PEMBERTON: Yes. Its like every other appeal. Over the course of time, you remember mechanics and crew chiefs, whatever, if they appeal, then they can continue to carry on business as usual until the appeal has been heard and ruled on. Q. Just to clarify on that. When he does appeal, does it also go to the National Stockcar Racing Commission and then to the chief appellate officer? ROBIN PEMBERTON: This isnt any different than an illegal part or piece.(NASCAR)(3-7-2013) UPDATE 3: Denny Hamlin issued the following statement Thursday night: ‘The short of the long of it is I believe I was severely disrespected by NASCAR by getting fined. I believe that the simple fact of us not even having a conversation about this issue before I was hit with a fine has something to say about our relationship. What I said was 1 sentence taken completely out of context. Most drivers will tell you that we constantly have our AND nascars best interest in mind when speaking. On the other hand I am a person that worked very hard from the BOTTOM to get where I am today and someone telling me that I can give my 100 percent honest opinion really bothers me. Since being fined in 2010 I have been a lot more careful about what I say to media and I felt this past weekend felt completely in my rights to give a assessment of the question asked. I feel as if today NASCAR lost one of its biggest supporters vocally of where our sport is headed. So in the end there are no winners. I said today I would not pay the fine. I stand by that and will go through the process of appealing. Trust me, this is not about the money. Its much deeper. I will now shift my focus on giving FedEx and my team what they deserve this weekend, a win.”
