NASCAR Adds Jeff Gordon As 13th Driver In Sprint Cup Championship and Gordon’s Reaction [VIDEOS]

Calling it unprecedented in their history, NASCAR officials, Mike Helton and Brian France announced the addition of a 13th team to the Chase For the NASCAR Sprint Cup after the controversial ending at Richmond last weekend. Jeff Gordon will be that 13th driver.  Click to watch the press conference.

All the drama comes from a late race spin by Clint Bowyer at Richmond International Speedway last Saturday night .  The spin enabled Bowyer's teammate, Martin Truex Jr. make the chase and prevented Ryan Newman and Jeff Gordon from the making the final field.  Check out the video of the spin here.   Earlier this week, NASCAR booted Truex from the field and replaced him with Newman.

In an attempt to "protect the integrity" of the sport, the field will be increased from 12 cars to 13 to allow Gordon to have a spot in the chase.  Watch the press conference and Jeff Gordon's reaction below.

“Based on all of our findings this week, we determined both Front Row Motorsports and Penske Racing organizations would be placed on probation for the remainder of this season,” said Brian France, NASCAR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Additionally, based upon the totality of our findings, to be fair and equitable we decided that adding a 13th car to this year’s Chase is the appropriate action.

Do you think NASCAR got it right in the end? Leave your comments below.