Looking over the assorted penalties in Cup, Nationwide, and trucks NASCAR handed out yesterday as if they were Halloween candy at a sugar rush festival leaves the unmistakable impression it is determined to send a message.  Namely, henceforth pretty much nothing will be tolerated.  Any crew chief found violating any rule this week will in addition to the usual fine and suspension be thrown into the La Brea tar pits while in preparation for a follow-up penalty the Foster Farms chickens are currently getting naked.  And people think everyone goes soft on crime when they come to California.

While the concept of proving crime doesn't pay (but you will, and through the nose) is admirable insofar as keeping things honest, there are times you have to wonder whether some draconian penalties are warranted.  "We made a mistake" is a different kettle of fish than "oh is that illegal."  Or at least ought to be.  Take as an example the case of Robby Gordon, who showed up at Daytona with the wrong nose on his Avenger Charger courtesy of someone or someones at GEM being asleep at the switch.  Given how the boo-boo both offered zero advantage and how the only difference between the approved Dodge nose and the one R. Gordon showed up with was the location of the decal contours, one has to think maybe a simple "would you mind fixing that and then come back for inspection" would have sufficed.  But then again, when has NASCAR ever skipped an opportunity to implement the legendary Section 12-4-A, which they claim applies to actions detrimental to stock car racing but when read carefully actually says "because we can?"

Ah we.  'Tis what it 'tis.  On to California.