• Ron Hornaday Jr. intentionally put Darrell Wallace Jr. into the wall under caution in the closing laps at Rockingham Speedway. The incident was similar to Hornaday being turned by Kyle Busch at Texas Motor Speedway in 2011. Hornaday said on SPEED he did not know the caution was out. What needs to be done to the drivers when something like this happens and what is the right disciplinary action from NASCAR?
Ross Bynum: Cars should never be used as part of retaliation. It’s expensive for the teams, tough on the crews, and dangerous. If NASCAR instituted a policy of “If you wreck someone intentionally, you will sit out the next race”, I think it would stop the ridiculous behavior.
Erin Crocker: Regardless if Ron thought the caution was out, I thought what he did was uncalled for. I am huge Hornaday fan, but to me it was a bit hypocritical after his reaction to Kyle wrecking him in Texas in 2011.
Chris Knight: In my honest opinion, I saw the similarities of this incident, but I also know the differences as well. Was Ron Hornaday Jr. wrong for intentionally taking out Bubba Wallace Jr? Absolutely. It was wrong, uncalled for, dangerous, etc, etc., etc.
However, when Kyle Busch pulled the same stunt in 2011 at Texas Motor Speedway, Busch was already under the gun for a variety of actions both on-and-off the track and that was the last straw.
I agreed with the penalty given to Hornaday Jr. on Wednesday and no doubt he learned his lesson. In my books, for a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver, a $25,000.00 penalty is very deep.
Adam Niemeyer: My immediate reaction was Hornaday should have been parked right away given the precedent NASCAR set with Busch in 2011. Hornaday was very remorseful and I get that, but it was still unacceptable what he did if you ask me. I have nothing but respect for Ron Hornaday and the 25 point penalty he was assessed seems fair given past precedent. Basically his 25-point penalty is a lot like missing one race, so I think it’s fair.
AnnMarie Strawhand: I found this very un-like Ron Hornaday to do this and I am wondering if there is more to the story….underlying frustrations, etc. I think that as a mature driver, (that also had it happen to him once) that something must have just snapped there. I always have had a lot of respect for Ron and this was really out of character. I think though no matter who you are, something like this can seriously hurt another driver and the penalties need to be strict for this type of behavior.
Lori Tyler: Wow. This one is tough. One thing is certain, these cars cannot be used as weapons on the racetrack. Taking someone out intentionally should not be tolerated whether it is under green or yellow flag conditions.
As far as what is the right disciplinary action, this is tough to say. Part of me says, park the driver. The other part of me says that this sport is complicated, in terms of funding and sponsorship. However, there must be a clear indication that this behavior cannot be tolerated. If parking a driver is the only way to drive that point home, then maybe that’s exactly what needs to be done. However, Hornaday was given a fine and docked points by the sanctioning body. I believe in this particular case, that may also be enough to drive the point home. He isn’t a driver that is involved in a lot of altercations in the sport. Hornaday is no rookie and well aware of what is expected of him as a driver.
NASCAR Nationwide Series:
• Alex Bowman won the pole, but Kyle Busch won the race. Another win for “Rowdy.” Thoughts on the race?
Erin Crocker: I thought the Nationwide race was exciting. I actually enjoy when a handful of top running Cup drivers run. It makes a good mix to me of young guns and veterans.
Chris Knight: I thought the race was about what I expected it to be. A lot of green flag racing and a familiar face in victory lane, Kyle Busch.
I think some were surprised with the pole by Alex Bowman. I was not. The kid is talented and loves speed. I also know the capabilities of RAB Racing with Brack Maggard. They are a first-class operation and I don’t think Texas will be the lone place you will see them on the pole and leading laps in Nationwide competition this season.
Adam Niemeyer: I thought the tire strategy added an interesting layer of storylines to the race. In the end it was another case of Rowdy running away with a race. It’s interesting to see it, but I feel we’ll all become fatigued of it very soon (if we aren’t already).
