iNSIDE SCOOP: Buckle Up!

It’s Talladega time! 

That means get ready for the draft, pack racing and, more likely than not, at least one race-altering incident that will change the complexion of the entire weekend, the point standings and the status of who’s after who next week at Darlington.

It’s also one of the rites of spring in Alabama, because Talladega races are Happenings. One has only to stroll down Talladega Blvd. on a Friday or Saturday night to understand just how much of an old-fashioned hoo-raw it really is.

There’s always the chance that Dale Jr. will pull out another one, or someone unexpected will ride into Victory Lane. It could be Jeff Gordon’s turn, or Joey Logano’s, or it could be David Gilliland. It’s like what they used to say about Samuel Colt, inventor of the modern-day revolver: God made men, but Talladega makes them equal.

It really comes down to who is riding along with you on race day. If it’s Lady Luck, you’re good…until the final corner and then it’s anybody’s guess. If it’s not, well…that’s why you have a couple of cars on the hauler.

Big story this weekend is the return of Hambone. Denny Hamlin received clearance to start the Aaron’s 499 and get the driver points before giving way to relief driver Brian Vickers at the first opportunity. Something tells me he’ll be riding around in the back only until he feels like he can go forward, but that would be silly. He’ll come down pit road as soon as he can and make the switch.

He’ll be coming out the roof, too, because his back hurts when he has to duck through the door. Should be fun to watch.

By all accounts, if the next bone scan is good, he’ll be cleared to race at Darlington, the full race.

That’s a good thing for Hamlin, because he can get back in the race for the Chase, though as a wild card.

Penske Racing has one more arrow in the quiver in its effort to appeal the fines and penalties slapped on by NASCAR. The three-man panel listened politely to a presentation, then said, “Nope. All penalties upheld.” 

The story is really very interesting. According to what was said, the parts that were confiscated were not illegal in the sense that you might think. They were unapproved, which meant that while NASCAR had seen most of the parts (or all the parts) piecemeal, not together as a unit. 

When they did, at Texas, they reacted. OF course, the cars had passed inspection twice before that happened, so either NASCAR wasn’t looking for it then or got one of those phone calls in the middle of the night. No matter. It is what it is. 

The appeal  to the National Stock Car Racing Association Chief Appellate Officer, John Middlebrook, is set for next week. Unless he changes some or all of the penalties, it will be a big thing for Brad Keselowski to make the Chase this year. Ditto Logano. 

The appeal for Joe Gibbs Racing and the draconian penalties they received at Kansas is set for the following day, May 8. That will be very interesting as well. Completely different from the Penske incident, it is interesting to think what the appeals will say when they are presented the facts.

I think Penske will not get the penalties overturned or lessened. I think the Joe Gibbs Racing penalties will be reduced. But, as I am not on the National Stock Car Racing panel, it matters little.