NASCAR's Jeff Gordon fined $100,000 for part in post-race brawl
The two cars tangled near the end of the AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday.
November 12th, 2012
07:25 PM ET

NASCAR's Jeff Gordon fined $100,000 for part in post-race brawl

NASCAR has docked one of its most famous drivers $100,000 for his part in a post-race, post-crash brawl between pit crews.

Four-time champion Jeff Gordon also lost 25 points and is now 11th in the Sprint Cup championship standings with one race remaining.

The crew chief for driver Clint Bowyer, Brian Pattie, was fined $25,000.

Gordon ran into Bowyer on Sunday at the race in Phoenix, Arizona, causing a late-race accident. The wreck basically removed any last hopes Bowyer had for a championship, as he finished 28th when his crew couldn't repair his car.

“I take responsibility for my actions on the racetrack,” Gordon said through a written statement from his team owner. “I accept NASCAR’s decision and look forward to ending the season on a high note at Homestead (racetrack in Florida).”

Michael Waltrip Racing, which owns Bowyer's car, apologized for the post-race fight on pit road.

"Though we generally cannot control certain actions on the track, the unfortunate reactions off the track Sunday did not live up to the professional standards in which Michael Waltrip Racing expects all of its representatives to live by," a statement said, according to the website jayski.com.

The fight began after Gordon climbed from his car in the garage area. Members of Bowyer's crew came over and one grabbed Gordon from behind. The two teams wrestled between Gordon's toolbox and stacks of tires. Soon thereafter, Bowyer sprinted from his wrecked car to the trailer where Gordon had been escorted, only to be held back from by a NASCAR official and others.

One other fine was issued Monday. Points leader Brad Keselowski was ordered to pay $25,000 but survived a points penalty. His crime? He had a cell phone in the car, which apparently came to light thanks to an in-car camera used by TV networks.

 Post by:
Filed under: Auto racing • NASCAR
soundoff (13 Responses)
  1. Portland tony

    "Just the good ol' boys
    Never meaning no harm"

    November 12, 2012 at 8:12 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Ray

    It was genuine exciting. Almost as good as the wresting matches on TV.

    November 12, 2012 at 8:26 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Jeff Frank (R-Ohio) "You Can't Fix Stupid"

    Don't worry about it Jeff. Mr. Hendrick could probably care less. It isn't like your getting demoted to midgets.

    November 12, 2012 at 8:46 pm | Report abuse |
  4. Jeff Frank (R-Ohio) "You Can't Fix Stupid"

    Jeff? If your really nice, I'll let you use my Monte Carlo.

    November 12, 2012 at 8:50 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Gabriella Carver Lakeland,FL

    Jeff accepted responsibility for his actions....Move on!!!!! Love you Jeff!!:)

    November 12, 2012 at 9:02 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Sharhonda

    I think racing should be banned. Think of all the gas wasted and pollution created by this silliness. We are in a recession and have gas shortages while these necks are driving in circles. The money they waste could be used to help the unemployed, the needy even hungry children, it has been proven cars emit dangerous gasses that cause global warming. Racing should be banned. It's time to move into the twenty first century.

    November 12, 2012 at 9:28 pm | Report abuse |
    • Laquecia

      I think you are exactly right. This isn't the 1950s. White people need to just get over it. They even pretend it is a sport. LOL.

      November 12, 2012 at 9:32 pm | Report abuse |
  7. Jeff Frank (R-Ohio) "You Can't Fix Stupid"

    http://www.lvms.com/media/news/speedway-childrens-charities-nascar-champions-week-las-vegas-ebay-auction.html

    November 12, 2012 at 10:40 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Jeff Frank (R-Ohio) "You Can't Fix Stupid"

    No. American messianic Jew.

    November 13, 2012 at 12:19 am | Report abuse |
  9. Jeff Frank (R-Ohio) "Right Wing Insanity"

    little mister:
    How perceptive. You may be on to something.

    November 13, 2012 at 10:42 am | Report abuse |
  10. mbonhamwolv

    Laquecia......how about telling the African-American NASCAR drivers Darrell Wallace, Jr., Wendell Scott, Marc Davis, and Bill Lester(if you've heard of them) that they're pretending NASCAR is a sport. I bet they'll beg to differ with you on that. I dare you to even attempt to race them on an oval!!!

    November 13, 2012 at 10:43 am | Report abuse |
    • Truth Hurts

      Don't forget Sharhonda.....she thinks if NASCAR was stopped, unemployment would be solved...

      November 13, 2012 at 11:49 am | Report abuse |
  11. columbus

    If jeffy wasn't racing for Hendricks, he'd be sitting out the last race.

    November 13, 2012 at 5:16 pm | Report abuse |
« Back to main