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Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin. (Dan Sweeney/WDBJ7 / January 24, 2013) |
Denny Hamlin has changed his mind, and now says he will not appeal NASCAR's $25,000 it issued him for criticizing the new Gen-6 car.
Hamlin posted this statement on Twitter on Thursday afternoon:
"After a lot of thought I have decided not to appeal the fine NASCAR has issued. Dragging my myself, my team and NASCAR through the mud for the next 2 weeks would not be good for anyone. I firmly believe I am in the right on this issue and will stand behind my decision not to pay. I understand NASCAR will do what they feel is necessary based on my decision. Thanks to all of my fans and peers who have supported me in this decision. I look forward to putting it to rest."
Hamlin previously said he would not pay NASCAR's fine.
Here is the official statement from NASCAR:
"NASCAR announced today that the $25,000 fine assessed to driver Denny Hamlin on March 7 will be settled per Section 12-3 of the 2013 NASCAR rule book after being informed by Hamlin that he will not appeal the penalty. Hamlin was fined after the sanctioning body determined he had violated Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing). NASCAR considers this matter closed."
Check back soon for more updates.
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Original story from March 7
NASCAR has fined Denny Hamlin $25,000 for disparaging comments about the racing last week at Phoenix.
NASCAR said Thursday that Hamlin's actions were detrimental to stock car racing, and the sanctioning body will not tolerate publicly made comments by drivers that denigrate the racing product.
Hamlin finished third on Sunday in the second race for NASCAR's new Gen-6 race car. He was asked after how he liked the car, and said he didn't want to be a "pessimist, but it did not race as good as our generation five cars. This is more like what the generation five was at the beginning."
NASCAR has asked the drivers to be careful in how they publicly discuss the new car, which was designed to help improve the on-track product.
NASCAR issued the following statement about the fine:
“Following the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event last Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway, Denny Hamlin made some disparaging remarks about the on-track racing that had taken place that afternoon. While NASCAR gives its competitors ample leeway in voicing their opinions when it comes to a wide range of aspects about the sport, the sanctioning body will not tolerate publicly made comments by its drivers that denigrate the racing product.”
