National Stock Car Racing Commission Upholds #0 Team Penalty: On March 5, 2008, the National Stock Car Racing Commission heard and considered the appeal of JD Motorsports regarding the #0 car. The appeal concerned three penalties issued by NASCAR following post-qualifying inspection on February 15, 2008 for the NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Daytona International Speedway. The infractions concerned Section 12-4-A of the NASCAR Rule Book "Actions detrimental to stock car racing"; Section 12-4-Q "Any determination by NASCAR Officials that the car, car parts, components, and/or equipment used in the Event do not conform to NASCAR rules" and Section 20A-8.4C: "The oil reservoir tank cover was not fastened securely." The penalties assessed were:
• Loss of 25 NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship Car Owner Points for car owner Johnny Davis.
• Loss of 25 NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship Driver Points for driver Kertus Davis.
• $15,000.00 fine; suspension from NASCAR for the next six (6) NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship Events; suspension from NASCAR until April 9, 2008 (not including testing), and probation until December 31, 2008 for crew chief Gene Allnutt.
The Appellants argued that the missing bolt at the corner of the cover was inadvertent; that it did not constitute a performance advantage; that the penalties were too severe for the infraction; and that the disallowance of their qualifying time at Daytona should factor into the subsequent penalties.
In deliberating, the Commission considered several factors including Section 20A-2.1L concerning the passage of air into or out of the car. In this case, the movement of the cover resulting from the missing bolt was evident.
Therefore, it is the unanimous decision of the National Stock Car Racing Commission to uphold the original penalties assessed by NASCAR. The Commission notes that crew chief, Gene Allnutt, began serving his suspension last week, so the adjusted penalty notice to correct for the deferral will reflect this. The Appellants have the right under Section 15 of the Rule Book to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Commissioner.(NASCAR PR)(3-5-2008)
National Stock Car Racing Commission Amends #14 Team Penalty: On March 4, 2008, the National Stock Car Racing Commission heard and considered the appeal of Richardson-Haas Motorsports regarding the #14 car. The appeal concerned three penalties issued by NASCAR following post-qualifying inspection on February 15, 2008 for the Nationwide Series event at Daytona. The infractions concerned Section 12-4-A of the NASCAR Rule Book “Actions detrimental to stock car racing”; Section 12-4-Q “Any determination by NASCAR Officials that the car, car parts, components, and/or equipment used in the Event do not conform to NASCAR rules” and Section 20A-8.4C: “The oil reservoir tank cover was not fastened securely.” The penalties assessed were:
• Loss of 25 Nationwide Series Championship Car Owner Points for car owner Carl Haas.
• Loss of 25 Nationwide Series Championship Driver Points for driver David Gilliland.
• $15,000.00 fine; suspension from NASCAR for the next six (6) Nationwide Series Championship Events; suspension from NASCAR until April 9, 2008 (not including testing), and probation until December 31, 2008 for crew chief Robert Edwards.
The Appellants argued that the infractions were inadvertent and due to inadequate preparation time. In deliberating, the Commission considered several factors including Section 20A-2.1L concerning the passage of air into or out of the car. The installation of the cover appeared to readily allow air from the underside of the reserve oil tank encasement to pass into the cockpit, as evidenced by the significant bowing of the cover following qualifying. By a majority vote, the National Stock Car Racing Commission decided to amend two of the three original penalties assessed by NASCAR as follows:
• Loss of 25 Nationwide Series Championship Car Owner Points and a $15,000.00 fine for car owner Carl Haas, with the fine payable by the current majority owner of Richardson-Haas Motorsports, Donnie Richardson.
• Loss of 25 Nationwide Series Championship Driver Points for driver David Gilliland.
• Suspension from NASCAR for the next six (6) Nationwide Series Championship Events; suspension from NASCAR until April 9, 2008 (not including testing), and probation until December 31, 2008 for crew chief Robert Edwards.
The Appellants have the right under Section 15 of the Rule Book to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Commissioner.(NASCAR PR)(3-5-2008)
National Stock Car Racing Commission Amends #1 Team Penalty: On March 4, 2008, the National Stock Car Racing Commission heard and considered the appeal of Phoenix Racing regarding the #1 car. The appeal concerned three penalties issued by following post-qualifying inspection on February 15, 2008 for the Nationwide Series event at Daytona. The infractions concerned Section 12-4-A of the NASCAR Rule Book “Actions detrimental to stock car racing”; Section 12-4-Q “Any determination by NASCAR Officials that the car, car parts, components, and/or equipment used in the Event do not conform to NASCAR rules” and Section 20A-8.4C: “The oil reservoir tank cover was not fastened securely.” The penalties assessed were:
• Loss of 25 NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship Car Owner Points for car owner James Finch.
• Loss of 25 NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship Driver Points for driver Johnny Sauter.
• $15,000 fine; suspension from NASCAR for the next six (6) Nationwide Series Championship Events; suspension from NASCAR until April 9, 2008 (not including testing), and probation until December 31, 2008 for crew chief Newt Moore.
The Appellants argued that the infractions were minor, did not constitute a performance advantage, and did not warrant the penalties assessed. In deliberating, the Commission considered several factors including Section 20A-2.1L concerning the passage of air into or out of the car. In this case, the stepped, 2-part encasement cover was missing a bolt in the top cover section, as well as being loose along the perimeter of the bottom cover section. The Commission also decided that there were very unusual circumstances regarding the crew chief in this case. Therefore, by a majority vote, it is the decision of the National Stock Car Racing Commission to amend two of the three original penalties issued by NASCAR as follows:
• Loss of 25 NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship Car Owner Points and a $15,000.00 fine for car owner James Finch.
• Loss of 25 NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship Driver Points for driver Johnny Sauter.
• Suspension from NASCAR for the next two (2) weeks and probation until December 31, 2008 for crew chief Newt Moore.
The Appellants have the right under Section 15 of the Rule Book to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Commissioner.(NASCAR PR)(3-4-2008)
National Stock Car Racing Commission Overturns Penalty agains RWI: On March 3, 2008, the National Stock Car Racing Commission heard and considered the appeal of Rusty Wallace Racing. The appeal concerned three penalties issued by NASCAR following post-qualifying inspection on February 15, 2008 for the Nationwide Series race at Daytona. The infractions concerned Section 12-4-A of the NASCAR Rule Book “Actions detrimental to stock car racing”; Section 12-4-Q “Any determination by NASCAR Officials that the car, car parts, components, and/or equipment used in the Event do not conform to NASCAR rules” and Section 20A-8.4C: “The oil tank reservoir tank cover was not fastened securely.” The penalties assessed were:
Loss of 25 NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship Car Owner Points for car owner Ed Rensi.
Loss of 25 NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship Driver Points for driver David Stremme.
$15,000.00 fine; suspension from NASCAR from the next six Nationwide Series events; suspension from NASCAR until April 9, 2008; and probation until December 31, 2008 for crew chief Steve Darne.
In deliberating, the Commission also considered Section 20A-2.1L of the Rule Book concerning the passage of air into or out of the car. After reviewing the testimony and evidence presented during the hearing, the Commission determined that the cover appeared to be fastened. All bolts appeared to be fully engaged. The slight deflection at one corner of the cover which gave rise to the penalty was arguable, given the overall design of the oil tank reservoir encasement. Therefore, by a majority decision, the National Stock Car Racing Commission decided to rescind the penalties assessed by NASCAR.(NASCAR PR)(3-3-2008)
Five Qualifying Times Disallowed: UPDATE 3: Penalties Announced: Qualifying speeds for #77-Cale Gale, #1-Johnny Sauter, #14-David Gilliland, #64-David Stremme, and #0-Kertus Davis were found to have illegal modifications to their cars following qualifying. #0-Kertus Davis will now miss the race.(2-15-2008) UPDATE: After qualifying, NASCAR announced the times for David Gilliland, David Stremme, Johnny Sauter, Cale Gale and Kertus Davis were disallowed. All cars were found in violation of a NASCAR rule involving the lid on the oil tank behind the driver's seat. All but Davis regained entry based on owner points. Dwayne Leik replaces Davis in the 43-car field.(USA Today)(2-15-2008) UPDATE 2: Kertus Davis will drive the #01 in place in Dewayne Leik.(2-16-2008) UPDATE 3: NASCAR announced that seven of its teams in the Nationwide Series have been penalized due to rule violations during Speedweeks at Daytona. The # 5 car was found to be in violation of Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used that do not conform to NASCAR rules); 20A-3.1.1E (1) (the rear ends of the spoiler did not meet the specified height); and 20A-3.12.1A (altered rear spoiler after passing template inspection to enhance aerodynamic performance) of the 2008 NASCAR rule book. The violation occurred following practice on Feb. 14. Driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has been penalized with the loss of 50 championship driver points, while car owner Rick Hendrick has been penalized 50 championship owner points. Crew chief Chad Walter has been fined $25,000 and suspended for the next six Nationwide Series events until April 9 and placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2008.
The # 0, #1, #14, #64, and #77 cars were all found to be in violation of Sections 12-4-A; 12-4-Q; and 20A-8.4C (the oil reservoir tank cover was not fastened securely). These violations were discovered during post-qualifying inspection on Feb. 15. Each of the cars' respective drivers and owners -- Kertus Davis/Johnny Davis for the #0; Johnny Sauter/James Finch for the #1; David Gilliland/Carl Haas for the #14; David Stremme/Ed Rensi for the #64; and Cale Gale/ DeLana Harvick for the #77 have been penalized with the loss of 25 driver and owner championship points.
Crew chiefs Gene Allnutt (#0); Newt Moore (#1); Bob Edwards (#14); Steve Darne (#64); and Charlie Wilson (#77) have each been fined $15,000 and suspended for the next six Nationwide Series events until April 9 and placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2008.
Additionally, Jerry Baxter, crew chief for the #99 car received a $5,000 fine and was placed on probation until July 9 for violating Sections 12-4-A, 12-4-Q and 20A-5.10.1B(3) (carburetor venturies exceeded the specified size). This infraction took place during opening day inspection on Feb. 12.(NASCAR PR)(2-20-2008)
