Full Throttle

This past weekend Carl long blew an engine in practice and had to start the Sprint All-Star Showdown at the tail-end of the field. Once the green flew on the Showdown the Carl Long Dodge lasted all of 3 laps before its engine went up in a cloud of smoke.

It’s possible both engines puking their mechanical guts wasn’t from the normal swallowed valve, broken crankshaft or burnt piston.

It’s also possible both engines were given the mechanical equivalent of steroids, the engine tested after the event was found to be over the mandated 358CI displacement size.

In fact, the second possibility is exactly what NASCAR has found.

With that, the penalty phase has commenced. And what a penalty it is, the largest in recent memory.

Carl Long’s #146 was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-I (any determination by NASCAR Officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules); and 20-5.4A (engine exceeded the maximum engine size of 358.000 cubic inch displacement) of the 2009 NASCAR rule book.

Crew chief Charles Swing has been fined $200,000, suspended from the next 12 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship events, suspended from NASCAR until Aug. 18 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31.

Driver Carl Long and owner Danielle Long have been penalized with the loss of 200 driver and 200 owner points, respectively, suspended from the next 12 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship events, suspended from NASCAR until Aug. 18 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31.

Need I say how friggin’ stupid this is?

I didn’t think so.