NASCAR admits error on penalty call

Elwood · March 4, 2002

By TOM GARDNER

Associated Press Writer

March 3, 2002

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- It seems that NASCAR can't avoid controversy.

Three disputes in the three races has NASCAR officials shaking their heads in frustration.

The season-opening Daytona 500 was stopped after a multicar accident late in the race, and Sterling Marlin, the leader at the time, was penalized for getting out of his car and trying to pull a dented fender away from his right front tire during a red flag.

A week later, at Rockingham, N.C., Marlin was forced to follow Matt Kenseth across the finish line under a yellow flag after NASCAR chose not to throw a red flag, which would have allowed him at least a shot at the eventual winner.

In Sunday's UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400, Marlin was involved in another controversy. This time NASCAR rescinded a 15-second penalty for speeding on pit road because it couldn't notify its pit road official in time to stop Marlin's Dodge from leaving his stall.

``In these situations, we always rule in favor of the competitor and that's what we did today,'' said NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter.

``We communicated to the pit official that there be a 15 second penalty and the pit official didn't hear it,'' he added. ``He was told three times and the official said he didn't hear it and neither did the officials on either side of him.

``One of our responsibilities is to provide the best possible officiating and, obviously, this was a gaffe. We have to find out why it happened and make sure it doesn't happen again.''

Hunter reiterated earlier comments by other NASCAR officials that any subsequent penalty for the speeding violation would have been ``too severe and it was our mistake.''

Greg Zipadelli, crew chief on Tony Stewart's Pontiac, wasn't particularly happy with NASCAR's decision and also criticized the sanctioning body for its current aerodynamic rules that he says favor Fords and Dodges.

``When you put stickers on and Dodge and Ford drive away from you, when we have four (fresh tires) and they get two, when we led half the race. I don't know -- you tell me,'' Zipadelli said after Stewart's fifth-place finish.

``If that wasn't clear that we are at a disadvantage, then I don't know that I've ever seen one. And they let the 40 car (Marlin) speed on pit road and they don't get him, so I don't know what to tell you about it.''

Stewart led a race-high 76 laps and appeared to have the strongest car in the field until a four-tire pit stop near the end put him out of contention.<

It should be interesting to hear what the reason for no one hearing the call was, when it is determined.

But I think NASCAR made the right choice. They shouldn't punish a driver even more by making them come back when it was NASCAR's fault.

And I'm starting to think that Stewart and his crew are sounding alot like the Ford teams a few weeks ago. He dominated most of the race, and they're still crying.

antig24 · March 4, 2002

Stewarts a big baby, it was good of Nascar to admit their mistake though

March 5, 2002

I thought NASCAR made the right call. To bring him in for a stop and go would have killed his chance to win.

As far as all the griping goes;

Make them ALL run stock sheetmetal! The manufacturer that has the best car will win. Then the teams can scream at their maufacturers or switch!

LarryE · March 5, 2002

it was a wise call on nascar's part he didn't know they didn't call the caution, they normally do when a spin out happens, I would have did the same thing he did.

as for the ford thing I agree with stewart they are giving them way to damn much, the dodges to, chevy is getting their asses handed to them so far and that #### has to change fast.

Elwood · March 5, 2002

I just heard on Speed Channel that one NASCAR official was quoted as saying making Sterlin come back in for that would've been the same as penalizing a team 45 yards for a 10 yard penalty. And so far I've heard no drivers disagree, so far all the drivers I've heard have said it was the right call.