Newman, Hamlin admit they were drivers fined

LONG POND, Pa. -- Ryan Newman and Denny Hamlin said they are the drivers fined by NASCAR for making critical comments about the racing series.

Newman refused to disclose on Friday the amount of the fine or what he said. He implied that it was for comments he made after he crashed at Talladega Superspeedway.

Newman and Hamlin

Hamlin said he was punished for comments he made on Twitter. He also did not reveal the amount of the fine.

NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston on Monday night confirmed some action had been taken, but would not discuss details.

"It is the sanctioning body's obligation on behalf of the industry and our fans to protect the sport's brand," Poston said. "Any action taken by NASCAR has nothing to do with the drivers expressing an opinion -- it's focused on actions or comments that materially damage the sport.

Newman said the penalties are "behind me. It's behind Denny right now."

Newman said he was frustrated about the fine "because I didn't understand what it was or why it was."

Hamlin understood why he was fined.

"Whether you agree with it or not, it happened. They're in control," he said.

The decision to fine competitors for critical comments puts NASCAR in line with many other professional sports leagues. The NFL and NBA both routinely issue fines for criticism of officiating.

It also backs up NASCAR's season-long campaign to rebuild the slumping sport through an improved on-track product and off-track promotion from its drivers.

"We're all in it together, and I understand that," Hamlin said. "I definitely understand, I don't really know what it was, but more than likely it was the Twitter comments more than anything that kind of got me in trouble with them."

Related:
• NASCAR fines unnamed drivers for comments
• Sound Off: Fines for Hamlin, Newman