Brad Keselowski called out NASCAR for being inconsistent with decisions on when to throw out a caution flag. On Tuesday, the veteran NASCAR Cup Series driver went to X/Twitter to respond to a fan blasting NASCAR for not throwing a yellow flag for Keselowski.
“It doesn’t bother me when yellows don’t get thrown for me or I get penalties that are questionable,” Keselowski wrote. “IT MAKES ME MAD AS HELL when it’s not the same for others, which has been the case too many times over the last few years.”
It doesn’t bother me when yellows don’t get thrown for me or I get penalties that are questionable
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) April 8, 2025
IT MAKES ME MAD AS HELL when it’s not the same for others, which has been the case too many times over the last few years. https://t.co/M8wK0Z52kP
The fan was responding to another fan who called out NASCAR for not throwing a caution while Brad Keselowski had a loose wheel in he middle of the track. When Keselowski responded, fans showed their support for him.
“I’m tired of it,” one fan wrote. “I was in the stands in 2022 when you blew a RF and no caution then shortly after the 20 blows one and oh immediately a caution. So damn inconsistent. Need (to) get something figured out there and quit throwing it based on who it is.”
Another fan added, “Preach! I tweeted as soon as it happened Sunday and there was no yellow that had it been one of their golden boys, they wouldn’t have wasted any time throwing the yellow. Not the first time either.”
It’s been a tough start for Keselowski and the No. 6 team as they have yet to win a race or finish in he top 10 this year. On Sunday, Keselowski finished 33rd at Darlington after having a detached wheel situation.
“Yeah, had a great car today. Felt like we had one of the better cars on the long run. Just had an unfortunate deal on a pit stop with not getting the right rear tight, and the wheel nut came off,” Keselowski’s crew chief Jeremy Bullins told Racing America On SI after the race. “It cost us a couple of laps, and got one of them back, just couldn’t get in the right situation to get the others back.”
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The excitement of 36 next-gen cars whirling around the track at top speed at New Hampshire Motor Speedway couldn’t drown out the tension brewing in the Joe Gibbs Racing garage. What started as another Sunday race quickly turned into something much bigger when Denny Hamlin sent Ty Gibbs spinning, creating ripples that have NASCAR fans and insiders discussing family dynamics, driver development, and whether some drivers receive special treatment. This wasn’t just another racing incident. This was a window into the complicated world of Joe Gibbs Racing, where bloodlines and business intersect in ways that make even seasoned NASCAR observers uncomfortable. The New Hampshire Incident That Changed Everything Racing is racing, and contact happens every weekend. But when veteran Denny Hamlin puts his teammate Ty Gibbs into the wall, people pay attention. The aftermath wasn’t filled with the usual post-race fireworks or heated exchanges in the media center. Instead, both drivers kept their comments measured, almost calculated in their restraint. Joe Gibbs, the team owner of Joe Gibbs Racing and Ty’s grandfather, took a hands-off approach. He made it clear the drivers would need to work things out themselves. That decision alone speaks volumes about the delicate balance he’s trying to maintain between being a team owner and a family patriarch. What really got people talking wasn’t the incident itself, but what it represented. Here you have a three-year Cup Series veteran with over 100 starts who still hasn’t won a race, getting into it with one of NASCAR’s most respected drivers. The racing community started asking hard questions about Ty Gibbs’ development and whether his last name has been more helpful or harmful to his growth as a driver. The “Kid Gloves” Treatment That’s Holding Back Progress Jordan Bianchi from The Teardown didn’t mince words when he called out what many have been thinking. He pointed to radio chatter during the race that suggested Gibbs gets handled differently because of who his grandfather is. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a sport built on merit and proving yourself every Sunday. The reality is brutal but fair. Ty Gibbs isn’t a rookie anymore. He’s got three seasons with Joe Gibbs Racing under his belt and more than 100 Cup Series starts. At some point, the training wheels have to come off, and the tough love has to begin. Other drivers his age have faced criticism, made adjustments, and grown from the experience. Gibbs appears to be stuck in a protective bubble that may actually be hindering his development. Look at his history and you’ll see a pattern. Back in 2022 at Martinsville, fresh off securing his Championship 4 spot, Gibbs bumped Brandon Jones out of the lead late in the race. He celebrated his win while potentially costing Joe Gibbs Racing another shot at the title. That moment should have been a learning experience, but here we are, still having similar conversations about his decision-making on track. How Family Ties Complicate Team Chemistry at Joe Gibbs Racing Working for your grandfather’s company comes with unique challenges, especially when that company is a NASCAR Cup Series team worth millions. The other drivers in the Joe Gibbs Racing stable – Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, and Chase Briscoe have to navigate relationships knowing that one of their teammates has a direct line to ownership that they’ll never have. This creates an environment where normal team dynamics get twisted. When Hamlin gets frustrated with Gibbs on track, is he just dealing with a teammate who made a mistake, or is he potentially creating problems with the owner’s grandson? When Bell or Briscoe sees Gibbs getting opportunities or second chances, do they wonder if they’d get the same treatment? The pressure on Ty Gibbs is immense, but it’s pressure of his own making to some degree. He chose to race under his family name and join the family business. That comes with expectations and scrutiny that other drivers don’t face. Every mistake gets magnified, every success gets questioned, and every team meeting becomes a potential family dinner conversation. The Maturity Question That Won’t Go Away Three years into his Cup Series career with Joe Gibbs Racing, Ty Gibbs has yet to find victory lane. That’s not unprecedented because Chase Elliott took time to get his first win, and he turned out just fine. But Elliott faced criticism, made adjustments, and eventually broke through. The question with Gibbs is whether he’s getting the same pressure to improve or if family connections are shielding him from the harsh realities that force growth. NASCAR is unforgiving. It doesn’t care about your last name, your connections, or your potential. It only cares about results, and right now, Gibbs isn’t delivering the results that justify his position at one of NASCAR’s premier organizations. The talent is clearly there – you don’t make it to this level without serious skill – but talent without maturity and racecraft only gets you so far. The Hamlin incident might actually be the wake-up call Gibbs needs. Getting spun by a veteran teammate sends a message that respect has to be earned, not inherited. If he can take that lesson and apply it going forward, this controversy might end up being the best thing that happened to his career. What This Means for Joe Gibbs Racing’s Championship Hopes Internal team tension is contagious, and if left untreated, it spreads and destroys everything around it. Joe Gibbs Racing has championship aspirations with multiple drivers, but those hopes could be derailed if this situation isn’t handled correctly. Hamlin is still capable of winning races and competing for titles. Bell and Briscoe are emerging talents with bright futures. The last thing the organization needs is drama affecting their performance when it matters most. The solution isn’t simple. Joe Gibbs can’t just cut his grandson loose because that’s not how the family dynamic works. But he also can’t let family loyalty compromise the competitive integrity of his race team. Finding that balance will determine whether this organization continues to be a championship contender or becomes just another team struggling with internal politics. Moving Forward: Can Ty Gibbs Earn His Place? The coming weeks and months will be crucial for Ty Gibbs’ future at Joe Gibbs Racing and in NASCAR. He needs to prove that he belongs not because of his name, but because of his ability. That means making smart decisions on track, showing respect for his veteran teammates, and most importantly, finding a way to victory lane. The talent is there. The equipment is there. The support system is there. What’s been missing is the maturity and racecraft that separates good drivers from great ones. If the Hamlin incident catalyzes that growth, then maybe this controversy will end up being precisely what Ty Gibbs needed. Final Thoughts NASCAR fans love a good redemption story, and they love seeing young drivers prove themselves against the veterans. Ty Gibbs has the opportunity to write that story at Joe Gibbs Racing. However, it starts with taking responsibility for his development and proving he can handle the pressure that comes with racing at NASCAR’s highest level. The next chapter in this story will be written on the track, where it matters most.
The Houston Rockets were among the biggest winners of the NBA offseason, making aggressive moves to raise expectations. They re-signed Fred VanVleet on a two-year, $50 million contract, secured Kevin Durant in a blockbuster deal, and built around a core of Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr. With a revamped roster, the Rockets have been labeled as serious contenders in the Western Conference. That optimism suffered a major setback Monday. Per Shams Charania of ESPN, VanVleet has suffered a torn ACL, a devastating injury that is expected to sideline him for most, if not all, of the 2025 season. The news immediately sparked questions about how Houston will replace VanVleet’s production and leadership — with NBA free agent Russell Westbrook entering the public conversation. Westbrook, who declined his $3.47 million player option with the Denver Nuggets, remains unsigned as training camp nears. A return to Houston, where he played in 2019-20, would be headline-worthy, particularly alongside Durant — who he starred with on the Oklahoma City Thunder. Rockets Have One Problem on Potential Russell Westbrook Signing All this being said, Houston's cap situation presents a roadblock. The Rockets are roughly $1.2 million from the first apron hard-cap, leaving little flexibility. They could apply for a disabled player exception, yet that doesn’t clear enough space to add a veteran minimum deal outright. "For those asking, the Rockets can't sign Russell Westbrook, Ben Simmons, or anyone else since they are roughly $1.2M from the first apron hard-cap," Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints explained on X. "The Rockets can apply for a disabled player exception, but that doesn't change their financial restrictions." This is where the Rockets face a decision. Westbrook, who averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists in 75 games for the Nuggets last season, would be a great replacement for the injured VanVleet. He has familiarity with Durant, vocal leadership skills and remains productive at age 36. But the Rockets would have to disrupt their current roster via a cap-saving move in order to make this possible, which makes it a difficult decision. Aside from Houston making a cap-saving move, their best options are to wait for to sign a prorated minimum later in the year or turn inward. Rockets' Internal Options Amid Russell Westbrook Speculation This all likely means more minutes for Reed Sheppard and veteran Aaron Holiday. The Rockets cannot easily move recently signed players—Holiday, Jae’Sean Tate, Jeff Green, Josh Okogie, Dorian Finney-Smith, Steven Adams, or Clint Capela—until later in the season. Westbrook averaged 27.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 7.0 assists in his lone season with the Rockets in 2019-20, helping lead them to the playoffs. His chemistry with Durant from their Oklahoma City days and his past stint in Houston make the possibility of a reunion intriguing. However, given the Rockets’ financial restrictions and roster commitments, his signing is unlikely in the short term. Houston appears more inclined to lean on its depth until cap conditions shift later in the season. For now, Westbrook remains available, but a return to Houston is something the Rockets would have to make a complicated decision on.
The Cowboys lost two offensive starters to high ankle sprains in Week 3. In addition to CeeDee Lamb going down, Tyler Booker will not be available to the team for the foreseeable future. Booker is expected to miss at least three weeks because of the high ankle malady he sustained in Chicago, AllDLLS.com’s Clarence Hill reports. ESPN.com’s Todd Archer pegs the timetable at 4-6 weeks. The latter duration being where this settles would make the first-round pick an IR candidate. Tyler Booker injury is another bad break for Dallas Cowboys This represents another bad break for the Cowboys, who have center Cooper Beebe on IR. Brought in after Zack Martin‘s retirement, Booker started at right guard in Dallas’ first three games. The injury also comes after second-year left tackle Tyler Guyton — the team’s 2024 first-round pick — missed several weeks due to a knee injury sustained early in training camp. Guyton returned in time for Week 1 but continues to see new faces along the O-line. IR is a possibility for both Lamb and Booker, Jerry Jones said (via WFAA’s Ed Werder). This comes after a report indicated Lamb was not an IR candidate. An IR transaction would sideline either until Week 8. Booker played through the injury but will take a seat for a while. If the Cowboys are planning on carrying Lamb on their 53-man roster, a Booker IR move would make more sense. Two of Dallas’ injury activations went to Jonathan Mingo and Payton Turner in August. The team will likely hold another for Beebe, and rookie running back Phil Mafah also landed on IR shortly after roster-cutdown day. These placements would stand to factor into the Cowboys’ decision with Booker. Weeks after the Martin news, the Cowboys drafted Booker at No. 12 overall. Sporting a keen eye for first-round talent over the past several years, the Cowboys only placed 12 first-round grades on prospects this year. This led to the team staying at 12 and taking Booker, doing so after previously eyeing Tetairoa McMillan. The Cowboys identified four All-Pro O-linemen (Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick, Martin, Tyler Smith) in Round 1 from 2011-22, and they will hope Booker — now opposite a guard-record contract given to Tyler Smith — will follow that path. The Cowboys have 2023 UDFA T.J. Bass and waiver claim Trevor Keegan as options to replace Booker. Bass would seemingly be the more likely option, having started five games from 2023-24 and having played in all three Cowboys contests this season. Keegan has not played this year.
The Buffalo Bills defeated the Miami Dolphins on 'Thursday Night Football' to remain undefeated on the season. With losses by the New England Patriots and New York Jets on Sunday, the Bills sit atop the division with a showdown against the New Orleans Saints in Week 4. While quarterback Josh Allen didn't put on his Superman cape with more than 400 yards of total offense, he was methodical and surgical, cutting through the Dolphins' defense en route to yet another victory over the divisional rivals. Allen made history in the contest, becoming the fastest player to reach 300 career touchdowns, including the postseason, but it wasn't all good news coming out of One Bills Drive in the victory. After taking a hit from Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks that resulted in a penalty and gave Buffalo a first down, Allen appeared to make a finger-gun gesture immediately after. While it may seem harmless, it's one of the biggest points of emphasis from the NFL heading into the season. Allen wasn't even flagged on the play, but that doesn't mean that the league won't come down on him for the celebration. Fast facts about Josh Allen's previous NFL fines 2019 - fined $7,017 for throwing the ball into the stands against the Miami Dolphins. 2021 - fined $15,000 after flicking the ball at a Kansas City Chiefs defender after a sack 2023 - fined $10,927 for pointing at a Cincinnati Bengals defender during a touchdown run The NFL is taking a hard stance on gun-related celebrations The NFL has expressed its intention to limit unsportsmanlike gestures during the game, specifically those that include shooting or brandishing a gun. NFL officiating rules analyst Walt Anderson opened up on the new initiative in August. "Unsportsmanlike gestures like simulating or either shooting a gun or brandishing a gun, or inappropriate gestures like a throat slash, or unfortunate sexual gestures, those were up 133% so that is a point of emphasis." - Walt Anderson According to CBS Sports, Falcons wide receiver Drake London was fined $14,069 for appearing to shoot a large gun, New York Jets receiver Allen Lazard was fined the same amount after getting a first down in Week 4 of the 2024 season, and Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase was fined $19,697 for appearing to unholster a gun in a touchdown celebration last season as well. If Allen is fined, the NFL would need to make the official announcement along with its reasoning by Saturday, Sept. 27.
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