With Chase Starting,a Dispute Lingers About Unwritten Rules

Drivers met reporters at a Navy Pier ballroom Thursday morning, a day after a report was published by The Associated Press that detailed questionable radio transmissions between the teams of two drivers whose cars have the same manufacturer, Ford. The communications seemed to indicate that David Gilliland of Front Row Motorsports allowed Joey Logano of Penske Racing to pass him at the end of Saturday’s race at Richmond International Raceway. Logano finished 22nd, one place ahead of illiland, and earned a spot in the Chase.“Hopefully, we’ll get something out of that,” Gilliland’s spotter said on the radio, according to the report.Logano on Thursday denied cheating and said he believed his place in the Chase was secure.“That is stuff that happens week in and week out with spotters,” he said. “They are up there communicating back and forth trying to work deals out.”Nascar said it was still considering whether it would punish Gilliland and Logano.China Fork Carriage Bar On Monday, Nascar decided to penalize other drivers for manipulating Saturday’s race based on their actions and radio discussions. 

Ryan Newman was leading when Clint Bowyer spun out. After the restart, Martin Truex Jr.Wheel forks suppliers, Bowyer’s teammate at Michael Waltrip Racing, gained ground and claimed a place in the Chase. Newman lost both his lead and his spot in the Chase until Nascar’s penalties returned him to the Chase field and removed Truex.Buy men Dsquared t-shirt cheap, Custom Fit Stripe Shirt and more.Bowyer declined to discuss the spin and would not definitively say that it was not on purpose.“I’ve had a rough few days, probably rougher than I’ve ever had,” he said.The outrage has put Nascar’s unwritten rules on trial. Drivers have long allowed teammates to pass them, or even take the lead for a number of laps, to earn points in the standings. The difference with the reaction to Saturday’s race appeared to be a combination of the stakes of the Chase, the overwhelming evidence and the fact that the outcome of the race was affected. 

“It’s been a part of our sport for a long time, but manipulating the race to change the outcome is an entirely different perspective, an entirely different situation,” Newman said.Jimmie Johnson said, “If you’re bold enough to make that direct an admission on the radio, then you’re going to pay the price.Bin tipper suppliers”There was discussion, in response to the growing controversy, of adding Truex and Jeff Gordon, who also lost his position after Bowyer’s spin, to the Chase field. That now looks unlikely.“You realize that people all want to do things for their teammates to help them, but you also know China Block clampthere’s certain lines that have to be drawn,” a frustrated Gordon told reporters Wednesday.So although the Chase is set to begin, there has been little time to talk about racing.“I think our sport, TV ratings, attendance, things are all trending the right direction,” Johnson said. “This is the last thing any of us want.”