NASCAR announced that Greg Tester, crew chief of the #71 Chevy in the Busch Series, has been suspended until Dec. 31 and fined $15,000 due to rule violations this past weekend at Memphis. Tester was found to be in violation of Section 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-12.3A (unapproved shock absorber piston) and 20A-12.3B(7) (shock absorber base valves will not be permitted) of the 2007 Busch Series Rule Book. Additionally, Ron Young, driver of the #71 Chevy, was penalized with the loss of 50 Busch Series driver championship points while Jerry Young, owner of the #71 Chevy, was docked 50 Busch Series owner championship points. The infractions were found during post-race inspection on Oct. 27. Also Tommy Perkins, crew chief of the #05 Chevy driven by Brett Rowe, was placed on probation until Dec. 31 and fined $2,000 after violating Sections 12-4-A, 12-4-Q and 20A-12.A (mounting points on the axle housing were not evenly spaced).(NASCAR PR)(10-31-2007)
UPDATE: “I’d like to apologize to NASCAR, the team, to the competitors and the fans for the misunderstanding that took place in Memphis,” said Tester who was the Crew Chief for the #71 Chevy driven by Ron Young at Memphis. “Our shocks were found illegal which was not intentional by me, the team, or our shock builder, Kenny Hendrick of SS Suspension. “I rented three sets of shocks from Kenny; two for a Craftsman Truck Series team I am working with and one for Ron’s team,” he explained. “Back at Darlington, we were getting the Busch car ready for practice and I realized that I had left the shocks in my car. I ran out and grabbed the set that was labeled 7NB which I thought meant “set seven, non-base valve” (shocks that are legal in Busch Series competition). We ran Darlington with those shocks and those shocks stayed on the car for Memphis. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until post-race tear down that it came to light that “NB” stood for “new style base valve” which indicated that components within the shock were only legal for competition in NASCAR Nextel Cup or Craftsman Truck Series competition. It was an honest mistake,” said Tester. “I’m not in a position to even stretch the gray areas with the teams I’m working with. One of the toughest aspects of what I am doing is keeping up with ever changing rules and making sure their cars are by the book. They can’t afford full time crew chiefs but they all are trying to just get that chance to be noticed by a bigger team or a sponsor that would allow them to achieve bigger goals.” Tester plans to appeal to the National Stock Car Racing Commission.(Tester PR)(11-2-2007)
