NASCAR will likely review comments made by Stewart-Haas Racing driver #39-Ryan Newman following a Lap 183 crash in Sundays rain-marred Sprint Cup race at Talladega Superspeedway. Any potential fine that could come from the comments likely would be made on Tuesday or Wednesday, per NASCARs history. Earlier, it was reported that NASCAR would definitely review his comments, but a spokesperson clarified that there are a variety of things that will be reviewed over the course of a race weekend. Newman finished 32nd after the crash in which Kurt Buschs #78 car barrel-rolled and landed upside down on the hood of the #39 car Newman had in position for a top-10 finish or win with five laps left in regulation as darkness approached. NASCAR fined #11-Denny Hamlin $25,000 earlier this year for perceived negative comments about the new ‘Gen 6″ car and the quality of racing at Phoenix International Raceway.( ESPN )(5-7-2013) UPDATE: NASCAR said Tuesday that Ryan Newman will not be fined for his rebuke of NASCAR on live television following a late accident at Talladega. Newmans race ended Sunday in a 12-car accident when Kurt Buschs car barrel-rolled on top of his car. Newman said his TV interview was solely to complain that NASCAR had made plenty of safety advances but still couldnt figure out how to keep cars on the track. He used a vulgarity in his interview. Not fining Newman is consistent with NASCAR chairman Brian Frances decision to give drivers permission to criticize anything but the cars and the on-track product. Denny Hamlin was fined $25,000 in March for saying he didnt think NASCARs new car races as well as the old car.( Associated Press/ESPN )(5-8-2013) UPDATE 2: NASCAR stated Tuesday that Newman would not face any penalties but spokesperson Kerry Tharp explained NASCARs position Wednesday and defended its actions. ‘We did tell them they could challenge NASCAR, they could challenge the racing calls, certain calls that we made and that type of thing’ Tharp said of guidelines to drivers. ‘We did tell them a couple of years back, hey, dont take on the racing product, dont disparage the racing. We believe (Newman) kind of pushed the edge on that in his comments. We disagree with his opinion. We disagree with the comments he made but he wasnt critical of the racing, he wasnt critical of the racing product, so therein lies the decision not to fine him. We dont agree with what he said, Ill tell you that right now.” ( Motor Racing Network )
