JOLIET, Ill.
Kiko Alonso Eagles Jersey . -- Jeff Gordon
was added to the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship Friday when NASCAR
chairman Brian France used his power to make an unprecedented expansion to the
field after two separate investigations into radio chatter revealed numerous
instances of race manipulation. France determined Gordon did not have a fair
chance to race his way into the 12-driver field last Saturday night at Richmond
because of the actions of at least three organizations over the closing laps at
Richmond. The four-time NASCAR champion was bumped from eligibility by Joey
Logano, who unknowingly received assistance from two Michael Waltrip Racing
drivers trying to aid their teammate. Logano also picked up another track
position when David Gilliland apparently moved aside when Gillilands team tried
to bargain with Penske Racing over the radio. "Too many things altered the event
and gave an unfair disadvantage to Jeff and his team," France said. "More than
anything its just the right thing to do. There were just too many things that
went on Saturday night." It was a stunning conclusion to a surreal week for
NASCAR, which should have been celebrating Sundays start of the Chase at
Chicagoland Speedway. Instead, the sanctioning body has been scrambling to
uncover who did what and why since Clint Bowyer spun his car with seven laps
remaining at Richmond as 10 drivers jockeyed for the five available spots in the
Chase. NASCAR acted quickly in disciplining MWR on Monday night, then learned
Wednesday of a second apparent problem involving Penske and Front Row
Motorsports, which appeared to ask for a deal if Gilliland moved over for
Logano. Logano did get by Gilliland, who then seemed to slow down by at least 1
mph, according to an Associated Press review of radio communications and data.
France said NASCAR could not determine there was ever a deal between Front Row
and Penske, but that putting Gordon in the Chase and placing Penske and Front
Row on probation for the rest of the season was necessary to protect the
integrity of the series. Gordon, the four-time champion, now joins Hendrick
Motorsports teammates Jimmie Johnson, the five-time champion, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
and Kasey Kahne in the Chase. "Its been a roller coaster ride of emotions this
week. Unprecedented set of circumstances," Gordon said. "Im extremely happy for
this. Were proud to be in it. An incredible set of opportunities now lie on our
shoulders to show we belong in the Chase." Gordon goes into the Chase as the
13th seed, 15 points behind leader Matt Kenseth. Owner Rick Hendrick was pleased
with the ruling. "I applaud NASCAR for taking the time for a full review," he
said in a statement. "Were extremely proud to have all four cars in the Chase
for the second consecutive season. Jeff and the No. 24 team earned this spot."
Johnson was happy for his teammate but not thrilled to have an additional driver
to race for the title. "I believe there should be 12 cars. One in and one out
should be the deal," he said. Trading favours on and off the track is common in
NASCAR, but the series had to investigate the Penske and Front Row bargaining
allegation following the embarrassment of Michael Waltrip Racings attempt to
manipulate the outcome of the race to benefit Martin Truex Jr. NASCAR on Monday
punished the MWR organization for its shenanigans over the final seven laps and
pulled Truex out of the Chase in favour of Ryan Newman. Truex, in his first
comments since he was knocked out of the Chase on Monday, said its been a
surreal week. An unwitting victim of his teammates efforts to help him, he lost
his Chase bid after driving the last two weeks with two broken bones in his
wrist and a cast on his right arm. "All I did the last two weeks was drive my
heart out," he said Friday. "I went from feeling like I really climbed a
mountain in that race at Richmond to going to be knocked out of the Chase."
Truex wasnt pleased with NASCARs decision to add Gordon to the Chase. "Im not
even sure what to say at this point. Im kind of at a loss for words," Truex
said. "How they make a spot for somebody -- they kick me out to make a spot for
somebody and then they dont do the same for the other guys? Its just unfair and
nothing I can do about it." Truex is out as punishment for his teammates working
so hard to help him get in, and NASCAR will hold a mandatory team and driver
meeting Saturday to clarify "the rules of the road" moving forward. France would
not specify what wont be tolerated going forward. "Obviously we drew a line with
the penalties with Michael Waltrip Racing," France said. "Were going to make
sure that we have the right rules going forward, so that the integrity of the
competitive landscape of the events are not altered in a way or manipulated."
The entire mess began a mere seven laps from the finish Saturday night with
Newman en route to a victory that would have given him the final spot in the
Chase. MWR driver Clint Bowyer spun, bringing out a caution and setting in
motion a chain of events that cost Newman the win and a Chase berth. It also
cost Gordon a Chase berth and put Truex and Logano into the final two spots. It
later became clear that Bowyers spin was deliberate -- although NASCAR has said
it cant prove that -- and that Bowyer and teammate Brian Vickers allowed Logano
to gain late finishing positions to bump Gordon out of the Chase to aid Truex.
Among the penalties levied against MWR was a $300,000 fine and the indefinite
suspension of general manager Ty Norris. Bowyer, Truex and Brian Vickers were
docked 50 points each, and their crew chiefs were placed on probation through
the end of the year. Bowyer has denied the spin was deliberate. NASCAR could
only prove one action -- radio communication between Norris and Vickers in which
a confused Vickers was told to pit as the field went green with three laps to
go. Once NASCAR singled out that action, a Pandoras box was opened and the
apparent bargaining between Penske and Front Row became dicey. And Gordons anger
began to grow. Gordon said he felt that Bowyer also deserved to be punished for
giving up late track position, just as Vickers did, and he called NASCARs
penalties "half right." And now hes in the Chase with Bowyer -- but only after
the second controversy.
Tim Tebow Eagles Jersey . -- Tony Stewart is
20 pounds lighter and has a titanium rod in his surgically repaired right leg.
Jerome Brown Eagles Jersey . -- Catcher
Brett Hayes has agreed to a $630,000, one-year contract with the Kansas City
Royals, avoiding salary arbitration.
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. - The Oakland Raiders re-signed offensive lineman Khalif Barnes on
Friday.LISBON, Portugal - Heavy winds have blown off pieces of the roof at
Lisbons Estadio da Luz, the stadium that will host the Champions League final in
May. The damage led to Sundays Portuguese league game between Benfica and
Sporting Lisbon being postponed to Tuesday. The worst storm to hit Lisbon in
years blew partss of the roofs plastic covering onto the pitch, forcing the
evacuation of around 50,000 fans.
Miles Austin Eagles Jersey. After the
supporters had left, several pieces of meters-long sheet metal were blown by the
wind into the empty bleachers. The Estadio da Luz will host the 2014 Champions
League final on May 24.
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