The National Stock Car Racing Commission announced Thursday that it had rejected NASCAR Busch Series driver Johnny Sauter’s appeal of financial and points penalties levied earlier this month. The Commission, consisting of Chairman George Silbermann, NASCAR’s director of administration; former sports car driver Lyn St. James; and former track owner Mike Staley upheld NASCAR’s $10,000 fine and 25-point penalty. Sauter has the right under Section 15 of the Busch Series rulebook to appeal the decision to National Stock Car Racing Commissioner Charles D. Strang and Thursday his team owner, Clarence Brewer, said the team was seriously considering that move. “As of right now we plan to appeal,” Brewer said. “Because I think we’ve been made an example of. My biggest problem with the whole situation is not the fine for cursing, because I agree with it. Even if it were more I wouldn’t have a problem with it. The problem I have as a team owner is that when you deduct points for an action that the driver did, you’re affecting Clarence Brewer and the team more than the driver.” Sauter is currently 10th in the Busch Series driver standings, 113 points behind leader Kevin Harvick. Without the 25-point penalty, Sauter would be tied with Bobby Hamilton Jr. for sixth position.(NASCAR.com), see past new about this on my Busch Site.(3-25-2004)
