France: NASCAR won't fine Keselowski for comments

Jeff Gluck, USA TODAY Sports | USATODAY

Despite some strong comments from Brad Keselowski after Saturday night's NRA 500 in Texas, NASCAR Chairman Brian France told FOX Business on Monday that Keselowski will not be fined.

Keselowski suggested his team was being unfairly targeted by NASCAR and said it was "absolutely shameful" the way Penske Racing had been treated. NASCAR confiscated the rear-end housings on both Keselowski's and Joey Logano's cars prior to the Texas race, saying the pieces were "not in the spirit of the rules."

Further penalties regarding the parts are expected this week.

But despite Keselowski blasting NASCAR — he also implied some shady business was going on behind the scenes — France said he won't be fined for his comments like Denny Hamlin was after criticizing the new Gen 6 cars at Phoenix.

"No, we're not (fining him), because that's the beauty of NASCAR: We do allow the drivers to express themselves in that way, even if they say things we disagree with," France told anchor Dagen McDowell. "I certainly would disagree with everything he said.

"They're frustrated. This is the most intense racing in the world and it's not surprising that every once in awhile when things don't go your way, you just sort of blow off a lot of steam."

McDowell pressed France on why NASCAR chose to fine Denny Hamlin for his comments about the Gen 6 cars, but not Keselowski.

"The line we draw is you can't criticize the racing product," France said. "You can criticize our decisions, you can criticize everything else — which is more than every other sport might allow — but just don't go talking about (how) our racing product isn't the best in the world, because it is."

Despite Keselowski being outspoken with his comments Saturday and before the season in USA TODAY Sports — which prompted a meeting with France — the NASCAR chief said Keselowski has been "a great champion."

"I love the way he races (and) he's been very supportive of things we've wanted him to do," France said. "I really think he just had a moment where he was blowing off some steam. He was probably highly frustrated at the weekend and how it went, and I understand that."

Keselowski, Penske officials and representatives from NASCAR will be honored by President Obama on Tuesday at the White House.

The timetable for penalties related to Keselowski's car — not his comments — remains unclear.