NASCAR suspends Logano crew member for tackling Hamlin
CHARLOTTE, N.C. >> NASCAR suspended a member of Joey Logano’s crew Monday for this weekend’s race at Texas after the tire specialist dragged Denny Hamlin to the ground in a chaotic scuffle between the rival drivers.
Dave Nichols Jr. horsecollared Hamlin and pulled him to the pavement after Sunday’s race at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia. Hamlin and Logano had been discussing an ontrack incident that suddenly flared into a confrontation.
Many Team Penske crew members shielded Logano from a charging Hamlin, and Nichols approached him from behind and knocked Hamlin down. Nichols, crew chief Todd Gordon and competition director Travis Geisler were all called before NASCAR after the fracas.
Nichols was found to be in violation of a NASCAR behavioral guideline that addresses “member-tomember confrontation with physical violence.”
Team Penske just last week made several crew change swaps that in part reunited Logano with the entire over-the-wall team he had during last year’s championship run.
Logano finished eighth at Martinsville and is ranked fourth in the standings with two races remaining in this round of the playoffs. The field of eight will be cut to four for the title race, and three spots remain available following Martin Truex Jr.’s win at Martinsville.
Joe Gibbs, team owner for winning driver Truex and Hamlin, said emotions played a role in the skirmish between Hamlin and Logano, a former Gibbs driver.
“I think everybody’s crews try and protect their driver, and I think generally what we try and do is separate guys,” Gibbs said. “But we all know emotion runs high. It’s a sport that brings a lot of intensity to the racetrack. Everything you put into this, and if you see somebody do something to you that you think goes against what’s best for you, there’s going to be a price to pay for that.
Ex-Akron basketball player sues school after assault during practice
AKRON >> A former University of Akron basketball player has sued the school and its head basketball coach after a teammate was accused of punching him during practice, knocking out teeth and fracturing nasal bones.
The Akron Beacon Journal reports Mark Kostelac sued recently in Ohio’s Court of Claims accusing the university of “failing to remedy the discriminatory, hostile environment” he says led to his injuries. The suit alleges black team members discriminated against white teammates based on race and religion.
A black player, who also has since left the university, pleaded guilty in February to assaulting Kostelac in December and received a suspended jail sentence and probation. Kostelac is white.
A university statement said it’s “committed to fostering an environment of inclusion” and is working with the Attorney General’s Office to address the lawsuit.