Truth & Rumors > Auto Racing

Junior: Penalties not tough enough

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09:10 AM ET 08.23 | Kevin Harvick joked about the penalties handed down to Joe Gibbs Racing this week for cheating, then brushed the scandal talk aside as overblown. Dale Earnhardt Jr. wasn't as quick to forgive and forget. J.D. and Joe Gibbs don't run their company like that. It is obviously not a decision that was made from the top or the people that represent their company. It was a mistake made by somebody that put their own mind to it," he said, calling the penalties "pretty harsh." Harvick's thoughts seemed to echo those of others who have said Gibbs' reputation is viewed as a fair and respected competitor, but Earnhardt Jr. didn't necessarily agree. "I don't know that they were tough enough," he said of the sanctions. "That was pretty wild. ... For all the races they won, I think they should have been a lot tougher on them. It was just obvious, blatant cheating and a unique circumstance, too, on the chassis dyno." Asked if Gibbs' spotless reputation should be taken into account, Earnhardt Jr. said no.

Charlotte Observer

Dale Earnhardt Jr., AP Dale Earnhardt Jr., AP
August 23, 2008  09:18 AM ET

Oh Boy; This will get some ink today. He can say that because Hendricks has never cheated, and certainly not since Jr. went over there. It might be true, I would think you would win a few if you cheated. LOL

August 23, 2008  09:18 AM ET

Tough talk from a driver many feel has benefited from "creative help".......

August 23, 2008  09:42 AM ET

He does have a point though.

August 23, 2008  09:50 AM ET

Junior is a successful owner, and he is speaking as one. He has every reason to comment. Plus, he always shoots it straight. Whatever you may think about him and his fan base, the guy does not give a disingenuous or halfhearted answer.

As for "creative help." If NASCAR wanted to assist Junior, you would think they would do a better job of it.

August 23, 2008  09:52 AM ET

He has a point yes, but I always think that the currently "uncaught" drivers should refrain from commenting....it could happen to them somewhere down the road....I think Harvick had the better response. Sorry Jr.

August 23, 2008  09:55 AM ET

sweiitcon....right on about your creative help comment.
And yes Jr does shoot it straight, one of the reasons I am his fan, but I still think sometimes it is the wiser course to say nothing.

August 23, 2008  09:58 AM ET

Its hard to say nothing when the Toyos are winning every single weekend. As a owner and driver and human that is frustrating. Harvick is a wuss, he had numerous complaints about the Toyos HP before, I guess he was just being nice this one instance.

Comment has been removed
August 23, 2008  10:26 AM ET

"No,I'm racer x " come on tell us how you really feel...
the dr.

August 23, 2008  10:31 AM ET

Racer X Why don't you tell us how you really feel LMAO
I have to say, I agree with you but I guess i would have said it in a less volatile manner. It is times like this that I wish Dale Sr. was around to take the little twerp out behind the woodshed and knock the snot out of him.

August 23, 2008  10:46 AM ET

I did tell you how I really feel.
If Nascar had any cojones, they would have told everybody this: " We have disassembled the toyota engines and found nothing that was in any way a violation of the rules. We apologize to Toyota for giving the fans the impression that they were cheating"

August 23, 2008  10:49 AM ET

Wow, did I just get a jr fan to agree with me?

August 23, 2008  11:05 AM ET

Just noticed the photo at the top of the page. Check out the logo on the suit.

Go Daddy

fitting, isn't it?

August 23, 2008  11:10 AM ET

Wow, did I just get a jr fan to agree with me?

No, I'm Racer X | 08/23/08, 10:49 AM

Mr. X I think that Mr. Mann is using a little subterfuge. I have observed some of his previous posts and I feel many are tongue in cheek. That being said, I concur with your reasoning in regards to an apology. Nascar appears to have changed rules in the middle of the game and many fans are quite aware of what happened.

Comment has been removed
August 23, 2008  11:44 AM ET

The way I look at it Jr has said how he feels,
which JGR has failed to do,other than pass
the buck to members of his own crew.
don't tell me Joe and the old man didn't
know what was going on.The holier than
thou group stinks of cheat.
JetJocky | 08/23/08, 11:31 AM

You obviously don't know what your talking about. Both Joe Gibbs took complete responsibilty for the actions of their crew members.
The reason they will face penalties within the orginization is because it was not sanctioned by ownership.
jr is an idiot and a hypocrite. I didn't see him asking for harsher penalties when he was caught with illegal rear wing brackets last year. Parts that gave him more down force, thus a competitive advantage. I also don't hear him apologizing for passing the pace car at Michigan this year. He needs to quit crying. He's an embarrassment to his family.

August 23, 2008  11:56 AM ET

Little E I like that phrase " currently uncaught". I agree, some things are better left unsaid. As stated before, " let he who is without sin throw the first lugnut"

August 23, 2008  12:05 PM ET

They KNEW what was going on
they played dumb in the beginning
then thought better of it.
And thats right Jr was caught
LAST YEAR what does that tell
you about DEI Hummm.

Comment has been removed
 
August 23, 2008  12:28 PM ET

Let's not throw stones, they all cheat. Hendricks crew chiefs were suspended for 6 races and fined $100,000 last year. Jr. should really zip it.

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