Major Fine and another Driver suspended

wilson89

wilson89

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- NASCAR has suspended driver Carl Long for the next 12 Sprint Cup races and fined crew chief Charles Swing $200,000, the largest penalty in the sport's history.


Long

Swing was also suspended until Aug. 18 for using an engine that was too big for NASCAR's specifications last weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

"From a competition side, you do not want to be in violation when it comes to engine size," Kerry Tharp, NASCAR director of communications-competition, told ESPN.com. "That is a serious violation."

Long was docked a NASCAR-record 200 points. Additionally, Swing and Long were placed on probation until Dec. 31.

Car owner Danielle Long, Carl's wife, was also suspended 12 races, docked 200 owner points and placed on probation until Dec. 31.

The record fine exceeds the $150,000 Robby Gordon's crew chief, Frank Kerr, received in March 2008. Several drivers and owners have been docked 100 points in recent years.

Long has made just 23 career Cup starts and has not appeared in a points-paying Cup race since 2006.

He finished last in the 35-car field in a qualifying event for Saturday night's All-Star race, dropping out after three laps because of an engine problem.

Long, who also failed to qualify for the season-opening Daytona 500, first had engine trouble during practice last Friday. The team switched engines, and under NASCAR rules, the sanctioning body examined the bad engine.

NASCAR discovered an issue and sent the engine to the Research & Development Center for more tests, which determined the engine exceeded maximum cubic inch displacement specifications.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
 
Oh how that has to hurt. To add insult to injury he wrecked the car and was one of the two entrys that only was paid $5000. The entry blank only showed a payout down to 33rd place.
 
My guess is Carl will never enter another car in a cup race as before he can the $200,000.00 fine must be paid first. I don't think he's ever made that much total in his career?
 
Eagle1 said:
My guess is Carl will never enter another car in a cup race as before he can the $200,000.00 fine must be paid first. I don't think he's ever made that much total in his career?
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Through 2006, according to NASCAR.com, Carl made a total of 1,478,168 dollars. He made over a half mil in 2005 in 9 starts.
 
wilson89 said:
Im guessing the 12 race suspension wont matter. He probably wont be racing for a long time with a major fine like that and being a part time team.
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I'm shocked they've never attempted to hit Hendrick or Roush with a penalty like this. This one hurts.

buckaroo said:
Through 2006, according to NASCAR.com, Carl made a total of 1,478,168 dollars. He made over a half mil in 2005 in 9 starts.
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That was before the George Bush Recession. (couldn't resist:D)
 
He is listed as using Ernie Elliot power. It is hard to believe that a reputable engine builder like this would supply an engine that would not pass. I would like to know how far over the engine was. Of course we will likely never know. I have seen engines that where slightly over made legal by a simple head gasket change. I would like to know if he leases engines or actually owns his engines. Plenty more too be said about this from those involved.

I guess who ever is next will get rang up to the tune of $250K! That would be enough to make a small/part time team give up a cubic inch or two just to make sure you dont go over.
 
Its a meaningless penalty. NASCAR just took care of one of their start and park teams for awhile basically. The guy obviously doesnt have the equipment and he was there to have a good time and collect the start money and go home. NASCAR did this to prove to the big teams that are up front every week that they can and will impose a penalty this big on them if they continue to play with the cars like some teams have. Carl Long was just made an example of. You guys are probably right carl will never pay the fine and I'm sure he has another chassis for a different series where he can go race and have fun as well. This whole deal is just another thing for Carl to sit in his shop and laugh about.
 
Spike said:
Had Long even made a field this year?
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Long has made just 23 career Cup starts and has not appeared in a points-paying Cup race since 2006.

He finished last in the 35-car field in a qualifying event for Saturday night's All-Star race, dropping out after three laps because of an engine problem.

Long, who also failed to qualify for the season-opening Daytona 500, first had engine trouble during practice last Friday. The team switched engines, and under NASCAR rules, the sanctioning body examined the bad engine.

NASCAR discovered an issue and sent the engine to the Research & Development Center for more tests, which determined the engine exceeded maximum cubic inch displacement specifications.
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This is total BULL****. F NASCRAP for this stupid decision.

What a bunch of retards.

Carl is not a cheater, neither is his crew chief. There is a lot of good discussion on this at carl-long.com.

Here is the email i sent to nascrap.

To whom it may concern:
I am very upset with NASCAR right now. How can you justify such a large fine for the Carl Long team when you know there is no way this fine could ever be paid.
Its no wonder your TV ratings are down because every time you do something like this more and more fans choose to simply turn off the race.
I have been a loyal fan since I could talk but due to this latest unjust action take by you, I will no longer watch, attend, or care about NASCAR.
If someone actually reads this email I would appreciate the answer to the following questions:
1.) How can you justify a $200,000 fine for a car that finished last?
2.) Was this meant to run a so-called field-filler out of the sport forever?
3.) If I wanted to pay the fine, who should I make the check out to?

Thanks for taking the time to read this.
 
MRM said:
None of them have showed up with a cheated up engine.
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Nope, just cars that were a fraction of an inch too small, spacers to prevent accurate horsepower readings, windows pushed out to reduce drag, illegal rear wings, and so on and so on.

If that had been Hendrick or Roush, you know damn well the driver and team (minus the crew chief) would be racing the next week.

Just like the yellow line crap. They DQ Regan Smith, but it's perfectly acceptable for Denny Hamlin to pass below the yellow line twice in the same race.

Or maintaining pace speed. Robby Gordon is penalized for not maintaining pace speed after someone wrecked him under caution. But Greg Biffle (Roush car) runs out of gas and crosses the line less than half the speed of everyone else and he maintains speed.

NASCAR's double standard shows when it comes to this stuff. They have never DQ'd and/or delivered a major suspension to a big name driver for a blatant rule violation.

Sounds to me like NASCAR's just getting rid of the start-and-park teams. :rolleyes:
 
BTW, you can send your donations to:

Carl Long
156 Painted Bunting Drive
Troutman, NC 28166
 
Escalation is the word that I've heard NASCAR use. I see no double-standard. They seem to be following along the precedent that they established IMO.
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
Escalation is the word that I've heard NASCAR use. I see no double-standard. They seem to be following along the precedent that they established IMO.
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So you think they'll suspend Jimmie Johnson for 6 races next time Chad gets "creative"?
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
Escalation is the word that I've heard NASCAR use. I see no double-standard. They seem to be following along the precedent that they established IMO.
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They didn't escalate when Denny Hamlin went below the yellow line to advance his position and didn't give it back.

I'm sorry, NASCAR allowed that -- Twice.
 
basscatcher89 said:
Its a meaningless penalty. NASCAR just took care of one of their start and park teams for awhile basically. The guy obviously doesnt have the equipment and he was there to have a good time and collect the start money and go home. NASCAR did this to prove to the big teams that are up front every week that they can and will impose a penalty this big on them if they continue to play with the cars like some teams have. Carl Long was just made an example of. You guys are probably right carl will never pay the fine and I'm sure he has another chassis for a different series where he can go race and have fun as well. This whole deal is just another thing for Carl to sit in his shop and laugh about.
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I'd love to see Carl run ARCA, CRA or ASA. Maybe he'll bring his 2004 car to Rockingham. :D
 
basscatcher89 said:
Its a meaningless penalty. NASCAR just took care of one of their start and park teams for awhile basically. The guy obviously doesnt have the equipment and he was there to have a good time and collect the start money and go home. NASCAR did this to prove to the big teams that are up front every week that they can and will impose a penalty this big on them if they continue to play with the cars like some teams have. Carl Long was just made an example of. You guys are probably right carl will never pay the fine and I'm sure he has another chassis for a different series where he can go race and have fun as well. This whole deal is just another thing for Carl to sit in his shop and laugh about.
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I don't think Carl is laughing about this. I sure wouldn't be. Carl works for Front Row Motorsports and correct me if I'm wrong but due to this suspension he will not be able to work for the team at the track.
 
83WynnsOlds said:
I don't think Carl is laughing about this. I sure wouldn't be. Carl works for Front Row Motorsports and correct me if I'm wrong but due to this suspension he will not be able to work for the team at the track.
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That's what Carl says over at his website.

If I were him, I'd walk away from NASCAR with a middle finger held up and go run CRA or ARCA.
 
The engine was .17 over the 358 maximum. As stated by Long, the engine was previously overheated. When the engine was obviously freshened up after that incident somebody did not put the proper thickness head gaskets on. This would have solved that by running a thicker gasket. If the engine would have been cube checked before Long got hold of it this would have never happened. An expensive mistake too say the least. Now not only does he get fined, NASCAR also keeps the engine.
 
Camp65 said:
The engine was .17 over the 358 maximum. As stated by Long, the engine was previously overheated. When the engine was obviously freshened up after that incident somebody did not put the proper thickness head gaskets on. This would have solved that by running a thicker gasket. If the engine would have been cube checked before Long got hold of it this would have never happened. An expensive mistake too say the least. Now not only does he get fined, NASCAR also keeps the engine.
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So, a $600 part cost them $200,000?

"Expensive mistake" is an understatement. But I still say NASCAR wouldn't have suspended a Hendrick or Roush driver over this.
 
AndyMarquisLIVE said:
They didn't escalate when Denny Hamlin went below the yellow line to advance his position and didn't give it back.

I'm sorry, NASCAR allowed that -- Twice.
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Apples and oranges. Cars that don't meet specs is entirely different than what takes place on the track.
 
AndyMarquisLIVE said:
So, a $600 part cost them $200,000?

"Expensive mistake" is an understatement. But I still say NASCAR wouldn't have suspended a Hendrick or Roush driver over this.
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Nascar always makes duble standards. They wont suspend any big name driver because that would cause people not to watch, but they think its ok to do it to someone who can barely find the money to run a handfull of races because they think no one will care about them. :mad:
 
wilson89 said:
Nascar always makes duble standards. They wont suspend any big name driver because that would cause people not to watch, but they think its ok to do it to someone who can barely find the money to run a handfull of races because they think no one will care about them. :mad:
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This is very true and while I commend you 83Wynns for your total support of Carl, I'd bet about a month's salary that you will be the only one from this forum that will stop watching NASCAR because Carl was penalized.

Wanna see a wholesale boycott of the series? Penalize Dale Jr like this. But he isn't the only one and any of the major players would be given a pass on this. If anything, they would penalize the CC or the owner, but that would have to be one of the lower tiered owners.

We might not like the many things that NASCAR does (an understatement) but they know how to keep the boys together. As long as the money keeps rolling in, not just in the NASCAR til, but the owners and drivers as well, there will be hanky panky business by NASCAR.
 
buckaroo said:
This is very true and while I commend you 83Wynns for your total support of Carl, I'd bet about a month's salary that you will be the only one from this forum that will stop watching NASCAR because Carl was penalized.

Wanna see a wholesale boycott of the series? Penalize Dale Jr like this. But he isn't the only one and any of the major players would be given a pass on this. If anything, they would penalize the CC or the owner, but that would have to be one of the lower tiered owners.

We might not like the many things that NASCAR does (an understatement) but they know how to keep the boys together. As long as the money keeps rolling in, not just in the NASCAR til, but the owners and drivers as well, there will be hanky panky business by NASCAR.
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Yep, you're probably right. But it looks like the money ain't rollin' in too good right now. I just saw a banner add on laidbackracing where you can buy a family four pack of tickets to the world 600 this weekend for $39.75!! Hell, If i wasn't so pissed off about the Carl Long situation I might even go but not now!!
 
Hey 83, you live north or south of Jr. Johnson? My neighbor has land adjacent to his, north of his property.
 
This is what Carl has to say -

5/21/09 Statement from Carl and DeeDee regarding the recent suspension and fines...
First of all I would like to wish Charles Swing, my crew chief, well. Since this incident he was admitted Monday night to a Georgia hospital with heart problems. He is a stay-at-home dad who loves to go racing.

We purchased an engine from a reputable builder at the beginning of the season. We overheated the engine in practice and had to change it. We had the option to withdraw and go home before admitting it to inspection. Trusting that our blown engine wouldn't have any problems passing NASCAR tech, we submitted it and put our other motor in the car to get ready for the Showdown. As everyone knows it didn't pass tech. The rules are 358 cubic inches and ours is 358.17 cubic inches. The .17 is as wrong as if it would have been 400 cubic inches. This engine is 50 horsepower less than top teams but it was all that could be afforded. I would have never knowingly went to the race track with a big engine!!!

This suspension has not only stopped me from racing, it has also hurt me with my everyday job. It's hard to make a living working at the race track when NASCAR will not let you in. I can only hope that the appeal board will see things differently than the ones that came up with this penalty. I don't consider myself a cheater. I am addicted to the worse drug ever...RACING!!! Every dime we have been able to scrape up we use to race because we love the sport. It takes about a half million in equipment to be able to build an engine, so I have to rely on other people and this time it bit me. Thanks for supporting me in wherever this goes!!!

Carl & DeeDee
 
Well I never did think Carl deliberately cheated, and I really do hope the appeals board cuts him a break.
 
AndyMarquisLIVE said:
They didn't escalate when Denny Hamlin went below the yellow line to advance his position and didn't give it back.

I'm sorry, NASCAR allowed that -- Twice.
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This has absolutely nothing to do with and couldn't be compared to an engine being out of spec. It's NASCAR's sandbox. They make the rules. You play by their rules. Their rules state the the cubic inches are to be a certain size then they need to be a certain size. You can't base the fine on the wealth of the team. Three main things that they've always come down hard on are engine, fuel & tires. Let's hope that through the appeal process that they can have the fine reduced. :beerbang:
 
It would be nice if they could go back to the engine builder they bought from and also fine them. Long should get some kind of penalty, but in a reduced fashion. Sorry to hear about his crew chief, man talk about adding insult to injury.
 
Mopardh9 said:
It would be nice if they could go back to the engine builder they bought from and also fine them. Long should get some kind of penalty, but in a reduced fashion. Sorry to hear about his crew chief, man talk about adding insult to injury.
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Hopefully they take into account that the engine was purchased from someone else and that helps them with their case. I'd think that it would be hard to fine that engine builder though since he's not even part of the team. It may make teams think about adding some sort of clause to their engine lease program that would hold them responsible if the engine is not to spec. :idunno:
 
And at least one other thing that has been touched on, in a left handed sort of way, proves that the big teams do CERTAINLY play by different rules. That fine would equal about one victory celebration for one of those big teams that supposedly play by the same rules while effectively putting a lesser funded team out of business.

Think back to a time at Charlotte Motor Speedway with the top three finishers in the protest area. Bobby Allison, third place finisher, was checked and cleared in a matter of minutes. The second place car took much longer and the winner took a WHOLE lot longer.

When the dust settled the second place man had an over size engine and the winner, in a certain red and blue #43, had an engine that could have been checked with a yardstick. Seems to me that both of them were found alright and the positions stood. No, there's never been two sets of rules in Nascar.:sarcasm:
 
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