NASCAR News – Week of November 11, 2012

By Reggie's Take on November 13, 2012

Four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon was fined $100,000 and docked 25 points by NASCAR on Monday for intentionally wrecking Clint Bowyer at Phoenix.

Gordon was also placed on probation until December 31, but will be allowed to race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The 25 point penalty drops Gordon to 11th in the Sprint Cup Chase.

Gordon released a statement saying. ”I take responsibility for my actions on the racetrack. I accept NASCAR’s decision and look forward to ending the season on a high note at Homestead.”
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After Brad Keselowski was criticized for racing Jimmie Johnson hard at Texas last week, Keselowski was unhappy after the Phoenix race seeing the Bowyer, Gordon incident happen right in front of him.

Brad Keselowski

“I spent a whole week being bashed by a half a dozen drivers about racing hard at Texas and how I’m out of control and have a death wish, and then I see bullshit like that. That’s fucking bullshit. That’s all you can call that. These guys just tried to kill each other. You race hard and I get called an asshole for racing hard and called with a death wish, and I see shit like that, and it just pisses me off. It’s just f—ing ridiculous, and they should be ashamed. It’s embarrassing.”

Keselowsk continued

“The retaliation is out of control in this sport. We’ve got a bunch of drivers that feel like they have to retaliate or they’re being challenged as a man, and that’s ridiculous. It’s not what this sport needs. I don’t think it’s good for anybody, and it’s going to get somebody hurt.”

Keselowski can win the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway if he finishes 15th or better.

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Austin Dillon will drive the No. 33 Richard Childress Chevrolet in the 2013 Daytona 500, with sponsorship from Cheerios. Dillon won the Camping World Truck Series title in 2011 and is trying to win the Nationwide championship as a rookie this season.

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Richard Petty confirmed that both Marcos Ambrose and Aric Almirola will remain with the organization next year.

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Kurt Busch in just his fifth start with Furniture Row Racing posted his second straight eighth-place finish a career-best for Furniture Row Racing, bringing a level of stability to the organization.