Jeff Gordon Joins The Chase For The NASCAR Sprint Cup

Big news from the world of NASCAR this afternoon. NASCAR chairman Brian France (on right above) announced due to the fallout of two attempts to manipulate the results of last Sunday's race at Richmond, the driver in 13th place in points, Jeff Gordon, will be allowed to compete in Chase. Thus the field will now be expanded to 13 teams.

Earlier this week, Michael Waltrip Racing was punished for manipulating the end of the race by having Clint Bowyer spin out so a caution would be thrown out to ensure MWR driver Martin Truex, Jr. would make the Chase. So Truex was out and Ryan Newman was in. Then an new investigation was launched as to whether Front Row Motorsports cut a deal with Penske Racing to where Penske driver Joey Logano would make the chase. The situation involved FRW driver David Gilliland slowing down in the closing laps at Richmond.

Although the Logano deal information is inconclusive at this time, France said with too many manipulative scenarios, it put Gordon at a disadvantage. The only action taken as far as the Front Row and Penske teams are concerned, both have been placed on probation for the rest of the season. Bowyer is still in the Chase, but only because of the Logano scenario, and his spin out can't be proven as intentional.

No matter what decisions are made, the Chase begins Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway. Live coverage of the Geico 400 will get underway at 12 Noon right here on The Country Station! 92.5 WBKR.