Weeks like the last couple would be grounds enough for NASCAR to contemplate throwing in the towel. Both the Charlotte and Daytona Beach offices have to have a bunch of folks distracted by their heads spinning. Who could blame them? Just 7 days ago, Hendrick Motorsports’ points penalty was reversed by a panel of three members. While the monetary fines as well as the suspension of their four crew chiefs remained, the most vital part of the entire penalty was rescinded.

HMS got back all 100 points as well as all of their 10 playoff points back. While they’ve won three times this season, this was the biggest win of them all.

As a result of that ruling, NASCAR stated its displeasure with part of the penalty being rescinded last week.

“We are pleased that the National Motorsports Appeals Panel agreed that Hendrick Motorsports violated the rule book. However, we are disappointed that the entirety of the penalty was not upheld. A points penalty is a strong deterrent that is necessary to govern the garage following rule book violations, and we believe that it was an important part of the penalty in this case and moving forward. We will continue to inspect and officiate the NASCAR garage at the highest level of scrutiny to ensure a fair and level playing field for our fans and the entire garage.”

Now, for the exact same penalty, for the exact same circumstances, from the exact same part, but a different team, Kaulig Racing had to keep the crew chief suspension and fine, just like HMS, but only got their points penalty reduced from 100 points to 75.

How?

Make sense of that.

The National Motorsports Appeals Panel ruled Wednesday to uphold the L2-level penalties issued to Kaulig Racing for unapproved parts modifications entering the March 12 weekend at Phoenix Raceway but amended the points deductions.

Barring a final appeal, Owens will begin serving his suspension this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway and will be eligible to return for the race on May 7 at Kansas Speedway.

The Appeals Panel members for this hearing were Hunter Nickell, Shawna Robinson and Steve York.

This has to make NASCAR sick. Absolutely sick. You cannot have different outcomes for the same punishment. There’s no way anyone can describe this any differently. It’s the same part (louver) and in the same rule book, fits the same penalty. However, the only difference is that the panel was different. That’s it. One panel felt like the crime needed a harsher punishment than the other.

Which is why NASCAR has to fix this. I get you need a third party to settle these things because you don’t want the judge and executioner being the same person, but it’s a hell of a lot better than the mess that they’re in now.

This is sloppy.

Most folks consider Hendrick Motorsports the New York Yankees of racing and feel already like they get preferential treatment. The voices grew louder last week. Think about what it’s going to be like now.

This is an embarrassing moment for NASCAR. Period. It seems like they now make the rules up as they go along. This whole process needs revisited, and it needs to be done ASAP. Whether that’s a three-member panel that’s the same no matter what case is being heard, or something, anything, no matter what happens, something needs to be done and it needs to be done quickly.

On a day that the owners skipped a meeting with NASCAR execs about the future of the sport comes this news which comes on another week with double digit dips in ratings shows that this sport is in peril right now. News like today further pushes NASCAR back.

It’s a joke. It’s a farce. The only way that this appeal could have been a positive is if it was the same penalty as to what HMS received. However, this is just an abomination. It’s a farce.

NASCAR has to take the reins back because how can you enforce a rule book or penalties any further? You know each team are working feverishly in finding gray areas now. Pandora’s box is open.

Then, no one knows what outcome said penalties are going to be even if you’re caught anymore. Can’t police your own rule book and can’t even rest on the outcome of a panel to enforce it.

That’s tough. Then with the owners embarrassing statement made by not even having the respect to meet on Wednesday and somehow that news getting leaked out? No wonder the ratings are sliding backwards. Fans couldn’t give a damn about the postering.

I get the owners side of this issue, but skipping a meeting and leaking it publicly is just flat wrong. Just wrong. Shame on them. Where’s the respect. Why can’t you suck it up and meet for the betterment of the sport? If you don’t want to make a stance, make it behind closed doors. To make a stance and leak that information out, that’s plain wrong and flat out disrespectful to the ones that are above them. Why on Earth would you not only skip the meeting that no one outside knew was occurring, but you picked up the phone to tell the media about your stance. Why? What gain do you want? Oh, I know, selfishness and you’re using the media as a puppet to push your narrative.

Newsflash, fans don’t care about that. It’s drawing them further away.

There’s already no respect within peers in the garage between drivers and now it’s becoming clearer and clearer that the owners of those peers in the garage hold no respect towards those above them at NASCAR either.

What happened to the days of this sport will be here a lot longer than you? What happened to the garage and all of the industry being fearful of the France family?

They’re not scared of NASCAR anymore and it shows. It’s hurting this sport.

NASCAR is lacking respect all around and this is only going to get worse until people find their places. NASCAR is in a tough spot right now because they have to shake this up, but they have lost the respect of the room that will push a revolt and revolution to “get theirs.”

Buckle up. This could get even uglier.