NASCAR reduces Long’s suspension

Part-time NASCAR driver Carl Long's suspension has been reduced to eight races from a record 12, but his record $200,000 fine remains. National Stock Car Racing commissioner Charles Strang heard Long's final appeal Monday in Chicago. He announced the reduced suspension Wednesday.

Long, a part-time driver in the Sprint Cup series, was penalized for having an oversized engine at Lowe's Motor Speedway in May. Long and his wife, car owner DeeDee Long, were suspended 12 races and docked 200 points. Crew chief Charles Swing was fined $200,000.

Long appealed in hopes of leniency for his low-budget team. He got some relief, but the fine could keep him from racing again.

"I suppose it's good news," Long told The Associated Press on Thursday. "Eight is better than 12. But they ain't gonna budge on the fine, and they know I can't pay it. They intentionally put it out of my reach."

Long said there is no way Swing will be able to pay the fine, and under NASCAR rules, it would then revert to the car owner. And Long's team won't be allowed to compete until the fine is paid.

More than $16,000 has been raised for Long's cause, with donations coming through his Web site and from a couple "pass the hat" events at racetracks.

"That's a long ways off from $200,000," Long said. "If I can keep stuff like that going, then maybe $200,000 is in sight. The next thing to do is to stand outside the race track with my helmet and beg for change. I'm not above doing it, either."