Ryan Newman had initially missed the Chase for the Sprint Cup on a tiebreaker.(Photo Andrew Weber USA TODAY Sports)
Story HighlightsMartin Truex Jr. out of ChaseNASCAR fines Michael Waltrip Racing a record $300 000MWR general manager Ty Norris suspsended indefinitelySHARE 5779 CONNECT 257 TWEET 141 COMMENTEMAILMORE
CONCORD N.C. In an unprecedented move NASCAR levied the biggest penalty in its history Monday night and altered the makeup of its playoff field two days after it was set.
Gone from the Chase for the Sprint Cup is Michael Waltrip Racing driver Martin Truex Jr. who had made the championship playoff field after teammates Clint Bowyer and Brian Vickers apparently manipulated the outcome of Saturday night's Richmond race under orders from the team.
Ryan Newman whose playoff hopes were seemingly thwarted by MWR's foul play was put back into the Chase. But Jeff Gordon also affected remained out of the Chase.
We penalize to ask for it to not happen again NASCAR President Mike Helton said. It's a message from the sanctioning body to say 'You can't do this.'
COLUMN NASCAR's punishment won't fix problem
NEWMAN Will drive for RCR in 2014
After warning the drivers to race fair and square in a prerace meeting NASCAR ultimately felt it had to act. Included in the penalty was a record setting fine of $300 000 to MWR and a deduction of 50 points for each driver. But it made the points penalty only apply to the regular season meaning Bowyer will be able to start the Chase only 15 points behind leader Matt Kenseth.
Helton said its penalty was focused on MWR's action and could not address the ripple effect created by the fallout. Therefore although Newman became Chase eligible with the 50 point penalty to Truex no aid was given to Gordon.
TIMELINE Recent major NASCAR penalties
Gordon was among those confused by the decision on Bowyer.
Feel bad for Truex Gordon tweeted Monday. He got in under controversy now out due to it. But the guy who started all of this (Bowyer) not (a)ffected at all Don't agree
At this point all that matters to me is if NASCAR decides to fix this then fix it completely
Feel bad for Truex. He got in under controversy now out due to it. But the guy who started all of this not effected at all Don 39 t agree
Jeff Gordon ( JeffGordonWeb) September 10 2013Gordon and Bowyer were involved in a feud during last year's Chase that came to a head after a wreck at Phoenix International Raceway in November. Following the race members of each of their crews exchanged verbal and physical blows on pit road and the in garage area.
Helton said there was no conclusive evidence that Bowyer spun intentionally. NASCAR deemed the penalty necessary because it reviewed radio communications between MWR general manager Ty Norris and driver Brian Vickers in which Vickers was instructed to pit.
WATCH Bowyer's spin from his in car camera
Because Norris orchestrated the drama and acknowledged the conversation in a meeting Monday with NASCAR officials he was suspended indefinitely.
In a tweet following the announcement Waltrip said the controversy wasn't a master plan or about a spin.
It's about a split second decision made by Ty to try to help a teammate Waltrip tweeted. I stand by my people.
This wasn 39 t a master plan or about a spin. It 39 s about a split second decision made by Ty to try to help a teammate. I stand by my people.
Michael Waltrip ( mw55) September 10 2013Nonetheless in a statement issued later Monday Waltrip said his team would accept the penalties We apologize to NASCAR our fellow competitors partners and fans who were disappointed in our actions. We will learn from this and move on. As general manager Ty Norris has been an integral part of Michael Waltrip Racing since its founding and has my and (co owner) Rob Kauffman's full support.
Norris also tweeted an apology to all those who were affected by his decision in the greatest race for the chase in its 10 yr history.
Pg. 3 .. It was to the detriment of the sport I love and have called home for the past 24 years.
Ty Norris ( Tymwr) September 10 2013Pg. 4 .. I apologize to all who were affected by that decision in the greatest race for the chase in its 10 yr history
Ty Norris ( Tymwr) September 10 2013In the past NASCAR has been loathe to change results after they happen. If a race winner is found to have used an illegal part for example NASCAR may issue points penalties fines or suspensions but does not strip the win.
That made Monday's decision all the more shocking. When NASCAR's Chase contenders gather Thursday in Chicago for the pre playoff media day they'll have to take a new group photo with Newman and without Truex.
Earlier Monday Newman told reporters on a teleconference he was hurting emotionally and even physically after the disappointment of seeing a Chase spot taken away from him.
OUTSPOKEN Newman says MWR manipulated race
It's pretty obvious to me the decisions that were made and the communication led up to that he said. What happened to me on Saturday night is the toughest thing I've ever gone through in any kind of racing in my 30 years of driving because of the way everything went down.
After being installed into a Chase spot Newman said he was proud NASCAR took a stand and acknowledged officials' tough decision.
Team owner Tony Stewart said Newman was back in his rightful place in this year's Chase.
NASCAR was put in a very difficult position Saturday night at Richmond and we commend the sanctioning body for taking the time to do the necessary due diligence to ensure that the right call was made Stewart said.
Bowyer denied his spin was anything but an accident but questionable radio chatter raised many eyebrows in the garage.
Prior to the spin the driver was told Newman was leading the race. Then crew chief Brian Pattie asked Bowyer an odd question Is your arm starting to hurt I bet it's hot in there. Itch it.
Bowyer then spun out and brought out the caution.
It got worse from there. Though Bowyer's car was undamaged he managed to lose two laps and get passed by Logano. Vickers was then called into the pits for no reason he was incredulous at the call on the team radio and then ran a lap approximately 30 mph slower than the rest of the field which allowed Logano to get by.
The extra positions allowed Logano to make the top 10 in points meaning he would not need to use a wild card. Truex then got the second wild card spot over Newman decided by a tiebreaker.
Logano's Chase berth was unaffected by Monday's penalties.
GALLERY Richmond's controversial finish in photos
Last SlideNext SlideNASCAR initially told USA TODAY Sports there was no funny business with Bowyer's spin or any other action during the race. But Helton said officials began to get more information early Sunday morning which changed the situation and forced an hours long meeting on Monday.
MWR officials including Norris were included in the meeting and allowed to plead their case.
This is a very significant reaction from NASCAR Helton said. It's difficult. It's not an easy decision to make. The conversations about it were deep.
___
Here's a look at the in car audio from Bowyer and Vickers which prompted the call for Monday's historic revision of results
Clint Bowyer audio
With nine laps to go
Spotter Brett Griffin (No.) 39 (Ryan Newman) is going to win the race. Well that kinda sucks. Nine more (laps) right here.
Crew chief Brian Pattie Is your arm starting to hurt I bet it's hot in there. Itch it.
Clint Bowyer Oh yeah.
Griffin Right with you 88 (Dale Earnhardt Jr.). Right with you right with you right with you.
(Bowyer spins out)
Pattie I think that tire was going down the whole time man.
Brian Vickers audio
(With four laps to go)
Crew We're probably going to pit here on green.
Vickers Are you talking to me
Crew Yeah we're going to pit.
Vickers What I've got to pit I don't understand. Pit right now
Crew You've got to pit this time. We need that one point.
Vickers 10 4. Do I got a tire going down
Crew Yeah. Come down pit road right now get a good look at it.
Vickers Did you find anything
Crew I'll see you after the race Brian. I owe you a kiss.
Follow Jeff Gluck on Twitter jeff_gluck
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