By far the biggest fight in NASCAR history took place Sunday afternoon in Phoenix. Just one race before the season finale next week at Homestead. Post-race drama between Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer occurred quickly after an on-track incident sent tempers askew. Clint Bowyer bumped Gordon's car, sending the 4-time champ into the wall. Most would call it a "racing accident" or "rubbing" but Gordon obviously didn't think so. Okay, there are only 3 laps to go, Harvick is leading and just moments from clinching his first victory of the year, when the caution comes out. Gordon retaliated and decided to put Bowyer in the wall. What do you expect from a heated racecar driver? The real entertainment didn't come until after the cars were parked on pit road.
All I see is Jeff Gordon walking from his car, scowl on his face. When all of a sudden, he goes down. One of Clint Bowyer's crew member apparently knocked him to the ground. Soon, both Bowyer and Gordon's crews are throwing punches at each other. I swear, it looked like a battle scene. Some guys walked away with bloody lips. I was in complete shock.
Next thing I know the cameras turn to Bowyer, running from his car down to the garage area. And he was running FAST. Security held him back as he pointed to Jeff's hauler. I cannot remember a more exciting finish to a NASCAR race.
Clint Bowyer was 3rd in the championship before heading into Phoenix. He now sits in 4th, most likely out of championship contention. I think what Gordon did to Bowyer was wrong, but I also do not agree with the actions of Bowyer's team. Although it was entertaining to watch, it was completely unnecessary.
More excitement continued as the race finished it's 3 remaining laps. Danica Patrick hit the wall and spun down the track, but no caution was thrown. She had to ride along the apron all the way around the track to get to pit road as the rest of the field raced to the checkered flag. Someone got out of control, came down on Danica and caused multiple cars to finished in a cloud of smoke. Kurt Busch's car hit Paul Menard's allowing his nose to slide under Danica's car almost sending her airborne. Kevin Harvick snatched the win through all this chaos. I have no idea why NASCAR didn't throw the caution for Danica. It made complete sense, considering she had to cruise around to find pit road not to mention the debris it left behind. I think NASCAR was having a bad day yesterday in Phoenix.
As for penalites, NASCAR has issued a $100,000 fine for Jeff Gordon, as well as docking him 25 points. This due to his retaliation toward Clint Bowyer on the track.
"I take responsibility for my actions on the race track," Gordon said. "I accept NASCAR's decision and look forward to ending the season on a high note at Homestead."
Crew chief for Bowyer, Brian Pattie was given a $25,000 fine and put on probation until Dec. 31st.
Now, here is the plot twist. Brad Keselowski, who is leading the points over Jimmie Johnson going into Homestead, was fined $25,000 for using HIS PHONE during the red flag. Does NASCAR even remember the Daytona 500? Keselowski used his phone to tweet the legendary picture of the jet-dryer fire. The first tweet from inside a racecar. NASCAR never said anything. BK even told the story of why he keeps his phone in his car, and NASCAR did not care at all. It boggles my mind that they would do this to the man running for the championship. He did nothing wrong.
Sometimes I think NASCAR is bipolar. I'll leave it at that.
Watch the brawl here:
All I see is Jeff Gordon walking from his car, scowl on his face. When all of a sudden, he goes down. One of Clint Bowyer's crew member apparently knocked him to the ground. Soon, both Bowyer and Gordon's crews are throwing punches at each other. I swear, it looked like a battle scene. Some guys walked away with bloody lips. I was in complete shock.
Next thing I know the cameras turn to Bowyer, running from his car down to the garage area. And he was running FAST. Security held him back as he pointed to Jeff's hauler. I cannot remember a more exciting finish to a NASCAR race.
Clint Bowyer was 3rd in the championship before heading into Phoenix. He now sits in 4th, most likely out of championship contention. I think what Gordon did to Bowyer was wrong, but I also do not agree with the actions of Bowyer's team. Although it was entertaining to watch, it was completely unnecessary.
More excitement continued as the race finished it's 3 remaining laps. Danica Patrick hit the wall and spun down the track, but no caution was thrown. She had to ride along the apron all the way around the track to get to pit road as the rest of the field raced to the checkered flag. Someone got out of control, came down on Danica and caused multiple cars to finished in a cloud of smoke. Kurt Busch's car hit Paul Menard's allowing his nose to slide under Danica's car almost sending her airborne. Kevin Harvick snatched the win through all this chaos. I have no idea why NASCAR didn't throw the caution for Danica. It made complete sense, considering she had to cruise around to find pit road not to mention the debris it left behind. I think NASCAR was having a bad day yesterday in Phoenix.
As for penalites, NASCAR has issued a $100,000 fine for Jeff Gordon, as well as docking him 25 points. This due to his retaliation toward Clint Bowyer on the track.
"I take responsibility for my actions on the race track," Gordon said. "I accept NASCAR's decision and look forward to ending the season on a high note at Homestead."
Crew chief for Bowyer, Brian Pattie was given a $25,000 fine and put on probation until Dec. 31st.
Now, here is the plot twist. Brad Keselowski, who is leading the points over Jimmie Johnson going into Homestead, was fined $25,000 for using HIS PHONE during the red flag. Does NASCAR even remember the Daytona 500? Keselowski used his phone to tweet the legendary picture of the jet-dryer fire. The first tweet from inside a racecar. NASCAR never said anything. BK even told the story of why he keeps his phone in his car, and NASCAR did not care at all. It boggles my mind that they would do this to the man running for the championship. He did nothing wrong.
Sometimes I think NASCAR is bipolar. I'll leave it at that.
Watch the brawl here:
