NASCAR investigating Joey Logano and David Gilliland for events at Richmond

getty images
getty images

NASCAR is investigating communications between Joey Logano and David Gilliland at Richmond International Raceway from Saturday night.

Logano, driver of the No. 22 Penske Racing Ford may of had help ensuring his spot in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase by Front Row Motorsports Gilliland, who like Logano drives a Ford.

Gilliland may of given up a position to Logano in the closing laps of Saturday nights race.

In radio communications reviewed Wednesday by The Associated Press  it seems Gilliland’s spotter is seen passing on a request to let Logano pass him – when Newman was leading the race. (Prior to Clint Bowyer’s caution that led to the race changing restart.)

A voice, believed to be Gilliland’s crew chief Frank Kerr, asks who the request is coming from. The spotter replies: “We’ve got the big dog and all his cronies.” This is believed to be a reference to team owner Roger Penske, who often is on the spotter stand.

Kerr responds: “Travis knows what I’ve been asking for,” possibly a reference to Penske Racing competition director Travis Geisler.

Logano passed Gilliland on a restart and finished 22nd.

“Good job, good job, man,” the spotter says post-race. “Hopefully we’ll get something out of that.”

NASCAR put out the following tweet on Twitter, “NASCAR is aware of reports about the #22 and #38 radio communications at  Richmond International Raceway  and is looking into it, but has yet to see anything in full context that requires any action,” the tweet read.

RICHMOND MESS:  Bowyer spins | MWR fined and penalized | Bowyer apologizes | NAPA reviewing sponsorship

Logano made the top 10 by 1 point over Jeff Gordon who missed the Chase, but he also owned the tie breaker with him. Logano would have had to finish two positions further back to be knocked out of the top 10.

Even if that would of happened, Logano would have still made the Chase as he finished the regular season with a 10 point lead over both Newman and Truex, who tied for the final wild card sp ot.

By finishing in the top 10, Logano will be able to use three bonus points from his Michigan win toward the Chase.

Earlier this week, Michael Waltrip Racing was penalized for events that involved the No 55 team. NASCAR docked Martin Truex Jr., Clint Bowyer, and Brian Vickers 50 points, which took Truex Jr. out of the second Wild Card spot and placed him 17th in the points.

Recent News

3,411FansLike
1,105FollowersFollow