Members of the Drivers Council, a group of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers that meets occasionally with NASCAR leadership, will pool money to pay the $35,000 fine NASCAR levied against Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin confirmed Friday at Richmond International Raceway. NBC Sports first reported the story.
Via the NBC report, Denny Hamlin, a member of the Drivers Council, released this statement: "We as drivers believe Tony has the right to speak his opinion on topics that pertain to a sport that he has spent nearly two decades helping build as both a driver and an owner. While we do not condone drivers lashing out freely at NASCAR, we do feel Tony was in his rights to state his opinion. We as a Council support him and do not agree with the fine. Therefore, we fellow council members have agreed to contribute equally to paying his fine."
He reiterated that stance Friday afternoon.
"It's about us believing we have the right to express our opinions," Hamlin said.
Hamlin and Stewart are both in the Drivers Council. Other members are Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Brad Keselowski, Kyle Larson and Joey Logano. Jeff Gordon had previously been a member until his retirement following the 2015 season.
Stewart's fine, announced Thursday afternoon, falls under Section 12 of the rule book, specifically member conduct guidelines. According to Section 12.8.1, actions that could result in a $10,000-$50,000 fine include disparaging the sport and/or NASCAR's leadership.
Previously on Thursday, Stewart announced he would return to his No. 14 Chevrolet this weekend at Richmond International Raceway after missing the first eight races of the year with a back injury.