#22-Brad Keselowski took over the points lead by 60 over #33-Harvick. #18-Kyle Busch, who had entered the race as the points leader, was involved in two accidents and dropped to third, 104 points behind Keselowski. But Keselowski might have a smaller points lead after Tuesday. NASCAR has confiscated the left front spring and right front shock from the race-winning car of Keselowski. They were under the minimum spring rate, and NASCAR will evaluate the pieces at its research and development center before determining any penalties.(Scene Daily)(4-26-2010)
UPDATE: NASCAR announced that three NASCAR Nationwide Series teams have been fined and penalized due to rule violations during this past weekends event at Talladega Superspeedway. Paul Wolfe, crew chief for the #22 team, was fined $10,000 for violating Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-J (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules) and 20A-12.1A(8) (unapproved left front spring). Wolfe was fined an additional $10,000 for violating Sections 12-1, 12-4-J and 20A-12.3T (unapproved right front shock absorber) of the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series rule book. Jodi Geschickter, owner of the #22 team, was penalized with the loss of 25 NASCAR Nationwide Series championship owner points for violating 12-1, 12-4-J and 20A-12.1A(8), and lost an additional 25 owner points for violating 12-1, 12-4-J and 20A-12.3T. Brad Keselowski, driver of the #22 car, also was docked 25 NASCAR Nationwide Series championship driver points for violating 12-1, 12-4-J and 20A-12.1A(8). He also surrendered an additional 25 driver points for violating 12-1, 12-4-J and 20A-12.3T. The rule violations for the #22 team were discovered during post-race inspection on April 25.
Bob Schacht, crew chief of the #75 team, has been fined $5,000 for violation of Sections 12-1, 12-4-J and 20A-12-E (reinforcement extended forward of the coil spring mounting pad). Schacht was fined an additional $2,500 for being in violation of 12-1, 12-4-J and 20A-12 (use of hollow bolts in truck trailing arms and panhard bar). The infractions were discovered during opening-day inspection on April 22.
Also Newt Moore, crew chief of the #05 team, was fined $2,500 after being found in violation of 12-1, 12-4-J and 20A-12.1B(8) (non-magnetic steel rear jacking bolts). These infractions also were found during opening-day inspection.(NASCAR PR)(4-28-2010)
UPDATE: Penske Racing president Tim Cindric said the team will not appeal the penalties, but believes part failures contributed to the failed inspection. “We are confident that there was no intent on behalf of Paul Wolfe, or any other member of the No. 22 team, to circumvent NASCAR’s rules,” Cindric said in a statement.(Associated Press)(4-29-2010)
