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AUSTIN, TX – MARCH 24: Jordan Taylor 9 Hendrick Motorsports UniFirst Chevrolet flies through turn 15 during practice for the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix on March 24, 2023 at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire AUTO: MAR 24 NASCAR Cup Series EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix Icon169230324050
via Imago
AUSTIN, TX – MARCH 24: Jordan Taylor 9 Hendrick Motorsports UniFirst Chevrolet flies through turn 15 during practice for the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix on March 24, 2023 at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire AUTO: MAR 24 NASCAR Cup Series EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix Icon169230324050
No sports organization is free from controversy. Managing an elite sport that has an international presence in terms of viewership is not easy, and NASCAR understands that controversies are inevitable. From driver disputes to rule changes, the sport has seen its fair share of heated debates in recent weeks. However, the latest controversy to hit the sport involves accusations of vendetta against one of the powerhouses, Hendrick Motorsports. As a result, many fans are left with unanswered questions about the fairness of NASCAR’s rules and policies.
Why is NASCAR being accused of favoritism?
The controversy began when NASCAR announced that they were penalizing Hendrick Motorsports for car modifications. HMS received a total of $400,000 in fines, with each of its four crew chiefs fined $100,000 and suspended for four races. In addition, the drivers were penalized with 100 regular-season points and 10 Playoff points reductions.
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Been obvious talk about cars taken after a race. NASCAR confirmed to me this week that it is totally series director discretion on what vehicles to take after the race. I’m not sure when random procedure ended.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) April 8, 2023
What set this incident apart was the reaction from fans. Many accused NASCAR of unfairly targeting Hendrick Motorsports, suggesting that other teams had committed similar violations without facing the same penalties. Some even went so far as to accuse NASCAR of playing favorites, suggesting that the sport was trying to handicap Hendrick Motorsports to level the playing field for other teams.
WATCH THIS STORY: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Defends Hendrick Motorsports Against ‘Cheating’ Allegations while Blaming ‘Miscommunication’ to be the cause of $400,000 Fiasco
Fans React to NASCAR’s decision towards Hendrick Motorsports
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Many fans accused NASCAR of unnecessarily going after HMS. They also pointed out that the penalty came at a critical time in the season, as the team has three cars currently in contention for the Cup Series championship.
A fan said, “NASCAR picked two Hendrick cars so they could penalize them because the appeal was overturned! Sounds about right for NASCAR. And they wonder why ratings keep going down…smh,” while another added, “So just like Denny Hamlin they are telling on themselves without knowing that they are telling on themselves.”
Several fans called them out on Twitter as well.
Taking their wrath out on the Series top team is disgraceful. NASCAR should be upset at the Appeal Panel and not a team defending itself within the approved process. NASCAR lost a ton of credibility this week in the way they tried to be credible. Terrible decision.
— Ken (@kendking22) April 9, 2023
Further proof NASCAR didnt like being hit with mud in the face of their penalty issues by the Appeals board and HMS coming out on top. They amend the procedures to remove the panels sole discretion and remove the random selection. Screams targeting of teams if you cross them!
— Alan Harkleroad (@abharkl) April 8, 2023
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Go figure, so basically Nascar changed their own rules since they were mad about hendrick winning there appeal no wonder viewership is down in all the races.
— turf racing master (@turfracingmast1) April 8, 2023
Pettiness of NASCAR confirmed!
— The Artful Roger. Diamond of many Facets. (@Rojodi) April 8, 2023
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The controversy raises broader questions about the role of rules and regulations in professional sports. While rules are necessary to ensure fair play and prevent cheating, they can also be a source of tension and controversy when they are enforced in a seemingly arbitrary or unfair manner. It remains to be seen whether NASCAR will be able to address these concerns and regain the trust of its fans in the wake of this latest controversy.
