Full Throttle

The National Stock Car Racing Commission denied Long’s appeal at a hearing Tuesday, the driver said. The commission isolated Long’s suspension to the Sprint Cup Series, meaning he can find work in one of the sport’s lower levels.

Long can work at a lower level series, that was mighty white of the Commission.

I wonder of the Commission ran around the room with their hair on fire worried that Carl’s only other job was as a crew member in the top level of the sport?

I guess not.

The commission also told Long the $200,000 fine levied against crew chief Charles Swing would not fall to Long if Swing can’t pay it.

Long told ESPN.com, “At the end of year, though, they’re still sitting there with their hands out. So my crew chief still doesn’t get his 2010 license if it hasn’t been paid. I’m very disappointed in them.”

Again, mighty white of them.

What are the odds Swing can come up with 200 large now that The Suits have determined the fine can’t be passed up the financial food chain?

Is “nil” a legitimate over/under bet on whether Long will be on track after the 12 race ban has expired?

For the record The Suits were Appeals board chairman George Silbermann, John Capels and Jack Housby. They issued the following statement:

“[Long’s] testimony came across as genuine and heartfelt,” the panel wrote in its statement. “While it is tempting to consider penalties that this driver and team can more readily bear, the sport would not be well served by having a sliding scale of penalties calibrated to a given team or member’s resources. Penalties of this magnitude for this type of infraction are warranted in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.”

But wait, isn’t this a scale that has slid when you consider Robby Gordon’s penalty given, then reduced when caught with an illegal part - albeit one purchased from a vendor as Long has done?

What’s next for Carl?

There’s always the AMRA, sponsorship dollars are less important. On the other hand the vehicles have less space for logos and such.

But hey, he could poach one of Carl Edwards sponsors, it’s not all bad news.

UPDATE: NASCAR’s statement:

The NASCAR representative argued that NASCAR has and continues to consider an oversized engine to be one of the most egregious of rules violations, warranting the harshest of penalties. The last penalty notices issued in NASCAR’s top series for an oversized engine were in 1991 and included 12-race suspensions in the series and a sizeable fine for its day.

Well then, looks like they actually were consistent.

Somewhat.

Richard Petty, driver/owner Petty Enterprises (#43 Petty), Oct. 1983, Charlotte Motor Speedway, oversized engine, $35,000 ($74706.43 in 2008 dollars) and 104 championship points.

Junior Johnson, Junior Johnson and Associates (Tommy Ellis), May 1991, Charlotte Motor Speedway, illegal carburetor (large engine), 12-week suspension reduced on appeal to four weeks for Johnson, Ellis and crew chief Tim Brewer.

Presumably the Johnson penalty is the one referred to, if so it’s “interesting” they neglected to mention the suspension was reduced on appeal.