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JOLIET, Ill. -- Jeff Gordon has been added to the Chase for the Sprint Cup field by NASCAR chairman Brian France as a result of the "unfair" tactics by other teams that knocked Gordon out of contention late in the regular-season finale at Richmond.
The Chase, usually consisting of 12 drivers, will have 13 eligible to win the championship.
"There were too many things that altered the event and gave an unfair disadvantage to Jeff and his team, who would have qualified," France said Friday at Chicagoland Speedway, site of the first race of the Chase.
At Richmond, Gordon was in place to grab the 10th spot in the standings and advance to the Chase before a spin by Clint Bowyer with seven laps left caused a caution that also took Ryan Newman out of position to win and qualify for the postseason. Newman was added to the Chase on Monday in place of Bowyer teammate Martin Truex Jr.
NASCAR also put Front Row Motorsports and Penske Racing on probation Friday. Radio chatter appeared to show that the teams colluded to allow Penske's Joey Logano to pass Front Row's David Gilliland and gain a value standings point. Both teams use Ford engines.
The Chase, usually consisting of 12 drivers, will have 13 eligible to win the championship.
"There were too many things that altered the event and gave an unfair disadvantage to Jeff and his team, who would have qualified," France said Friday at Chicagoland Speedway, site of the first race of the Chase.
At Richmond, Gordon was in place to grab the 10th spot in the standings and advance to the Chase before a spin by Clint Bowyer with seven laps left caused a caution that also took Ryan Newman out of position to win and qualify for the postseason. Newman was added to the Chase on Monday in place of Bowyer teammate Martin Truex Jr.
NASCAR also put Front Row Motorsports and Penske Racing on probation Friday. Radio chatter appeared to show that the teams colluded to allow Penske's Joey Logano to pass Front Row's David Gilliland and gain a value standings point. Both teams use Ford engines.
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