2009 NATIONWIDE SERIES PENALTIES/FINES - Jayski's NASCAR Silly Season Site

2009 NATIONWIDE SERIES PENALTIES/FINES

Penalties possible for Busch and Townley: UPDATE: #18-Kyle Busch might need to finish a little better than originally expected to clinch the Nationwide Series title next week. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver faces a possible point penalty as the team had improperly secured weight in opening-day inspection, NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said Saturday night at Texas Motor Speedway. NASCAR penalized Nationwide Series Mike Harmon 25 points for a similar improper weight violation earlier this year at Daytona. And while it did not take points, NASCAR fined Sprint Cup crew chief Donnie Wingo $25,000 for an improperly secured weight violation last year. If Busch receives a 25-point penalty, he could still clinch the title if he finishes seventh or better at Phoenix or 30th in each of the last two events. NASCAR also is looking into an issue it had with the #09-RAB Racing team prior to the race for unapproved adjustments after the impound, Tharp said.(SceneDaily)(11-7-2009)
UPDATE: NASCAR announced that two NASCAR Nationwide Series teams have been fined and penalized due to rule violations discovered during this past weekend’s event at Texas Motor Speedway. Jason Ratcliff, crew chief of the #18 Toyota driven by Kyle Busch, has been fined $5,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31, 2009 for violating Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-I (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules) and 20A-2.3A (improperly attached weight) of the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series rule book. Busch also was penalized with the loss of 25 NASCAR Nationwide Series championship driver points while Joe Gibbs was docked 25 NASCAR Nationwide Series championship owner points. The infractions were discovered Nov. 5 during opening-day inspection. Additionally, Brad Parrott, crew chief of the #09 Ford driven by John Wes Townley, has been fined $5,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31, 2009 after he was found to be in violation of Section 12-1, 9-4-A (crew chief assumes responsibility for the actions of his/her driver, car owner and crew members) and 12-4-I (unapproved panhard bar adjustment during impound by a team member). The infractions occurred on Nov. 7 during pre-race inspection.(NASCAR PR)(11-10-2009)
Steve Wallace fined: NASCAR announced today that Steve Wallace, driver of the #66 Chevy in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, has been fined and penalized due to rule violations that occurred immediately following this past weekend’s event at Memphis Motorsports Park. Wallace has been fined $5,000 and placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2009, for violating Section 12-1 (Actions detrimental to stock car racing: Hitting another competitor’s car on pit road after the completion of the race) of the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series rule book.(NASCAR PR)(10-28-2009)
Memphis Penalties Announced: NASCAR announced that two NASCAR Nationwide Series teams have been fined and penalized due to rule violations discovered during this past weekend’s event at Memphis Motorsports Park. Jay Robinson, owner and crew chief of the #49 Chevy driven by Mark Green, has been fined $2,500 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31, 2009 for violating Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-I (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules) and 20A-12-4B (Washers used to conceal slotted holes in the lower A-frame spring bucket) of the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series rule book. Robinson also was penalized with the loss of 25 NASCAR Nationwide Series championship owner points while Green was docked 25 NASCAR Nationwide Series championship driver points. Chris Rice, crew chief of the #70 Chevy driven by Shelby Howard, has been fined $2,500 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31, 2009 after he also was found to be in violation of Section 12-1, 12-4-I and 20A-12-4B. Team owner Mary Louise Miller was penalized with the loss of 25 NASCAR Nationwide Series championship owner points while Howard forfeited 25 NASCAR Nationwide Series championship driver points. The infractions were discovered on Oct. 23 during opening-day inspection.(NASCAR PR)(10-28-2009)
#16 team fined for engine violation: UPDATE: NASCAR announced that the crew chief, owner and driver of the #16 NASCAR Nationwide Series team have been fined and penalized for violations involving sealed engine rules. Crew chief Eddie Pardue has been fined $30,000 for violating Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-J (Race equipment that has been previously sealed by NASCAR for use in an event) and sub-section 8-6 (Failure to submit the sealed engine from the race winner for inspection; removal of the seal from the winning engine without authorization from NASCAR) of the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series rule book. Team owner Jack Roush was penalized with the loss of 100 NASCAR Nationwide Series championship owner points while driver Matt Kenseth also was docked 100 NASCAR Nationwide Series championship driver points.(NASCAR PR)(10-21-2009)
UPDATE: Nationwide Series Director Joe Balash said the engine at issue was from the race-winning car in May at Darlington. The engine was sealed after the victory and then used again at Nashville in June and was sealed again for use at one more race. The team (or Roush Yates Engines) then took apart the engine because of a clerical error, cut the seals and took the engine apart, and once it was realized that a mistake was made, Roush Fenway contacted NASCAR officials, Balash said. The race-winning engine was never torn down by NASCAR officials, Balash said, resulting in the penalty.(SceneDaily)(10-21-2009)
Crew Member suspended: Robert Good, a crew member for the #26 team in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, has been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR for violating the sanctioning body’s substance abuse policy. Good violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 7-5 (violation of the NASCAR substance abuse policy) of the 2009 NASCAR rule book. Good’s violation came on Oct. 9. (NASCAR PR)(10-13-2009)
NASCAR takes #32 rear end: UPDATE: Following post race inspection at Bristol, NASCAR took the #32-David Reutimann/Braun Racing rear housing to examine the rear end further.(8-21-2009)
UPDATE:Trent Owens, crew chief for the #32 car in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, has been fined $5,000 for rule violations committed last week at Bristol Motor Speedway. Owens violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-I (any determination by NASCAR Officials that the race equipment does not conform to NASCAR rules); and 20A-12A (mounting points on the axle housing must be evenly spaced and welded to prevent movement: mounting points were not evenly spaced) of the 2009 NASCAR rule book.The infraction occurred during opening day inspection on Aug. 20. (NASCAR PR)(8-25-2009)
O’Quinn’s crew chief fined: UPDATE: Rescinded NASCAR announced that Randy Hood, crew chief for the #01 Chevy driven by Danny O’Quinn Jr. in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, has been fined due to rule violations discovered during this past weekend’s event at Daytona International Speedway. Hood has been fined $2,500 for violating Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-I (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules), 20A-10.4A (transmissions must be standard production design; gear width is not manufactured) and 20A-10.4D (the complete transmission assembly, as raced, must weigh a minimum of 80 pounds; transmission did not meet the minimum weight) of the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series rule book. The infractions were discovered on July 3 during post-qualifying inspection.(NASCAR PR)(7-9-2009)
UPDATE:On August 4, 2009, the National Stock Car Racing Commission heard and considered the appeal of a penalty issued by NASCAR to Randy Hood, crew chief for the #01 NASCAR Nationwide Series car of JD Motorsports. The Appellant argued that the transmission and gear were a standard production design from an approved manufacturer, and that the method used to determine the minimum weight of the transmission assembly differed from the Rule Book. Upon reviewing the testimony presented during the hearing, the Commission concurred. Therefore, it is the unanimous decision of the National Stock Car Racing Commission to rescind the penalty.(NASCAR PR)(8-5-2009)
Penalty revised for Crew Chief, Bryan Berry: NASCAR announced Tuesday that it has revised the penalty for Bryan Berry, crew chief of the #62 Chevy in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Berry had been indefinitely suspended earlier this month for a rule violation (Section 12-1: actions detrimental to stock car racing; involved in an altercation with another team) he committed at the event held at Nashville Superspeedway on June 6. Berry’s suspension will be lifted effective July 7, while his NASCAR probation will continue until Dec. 31. Berry must also perform community service as directed by NASCAR.(NASCAR PR)(6-30-2009)
Bryan Berry suspended by NASCAR: UPDATE 3: NASCAR announced today that Bryan Berry, crew chief for the #62 Chevy in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, has been indefinitely suspended due to a rule violation that occurred during this past Saturday’s event at Nashville Superspeedway. Berry was suspended for violating Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing; involved in an altercation with another team) of the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series rule book. The infractions occurred on June 6.(NASCAR PR)
AND: Statement from Marc Davis [who was involved in the incident with Brendan Gaughan on pit road]: “NASCAR has clear and precise policies covering all racing conduct and procedures. Mr. Gaughan and his crew actions do not merit response. NASCAR has resolved the issue.”(6-11-2009)
UPDATE: NASCAR suspended crew chief Bryan Berry indefinitely on Thursday for what his team owner, Rusty Wallace, termed “an alleged racial slur” against African-American driver Marc Davis at last Saturday night’s Nationwide race. NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston termed the violation “an inappropriate comment that won’t be tolerated.” Berry is crew chief for Brendan Gaughan on the Wallace team. During Saturday night’s race at Nashville Superspeedway, Gaughan was entering his pit and hit Davis, who was trying to turn left through a gap in the pit wall. Both cars were heavily damaged. Gaughan returned to the track, but on the radio he ordered his crew to not let Davis, 19, leave the track until “he sees me.” Gaughan also complained vehemently to ESPN reporters after the race. The reasons for the penalty “were his [Berry’s] actions and what he said,” Poston said. “Bryan looked me in the eye and told me he didn’t say it,” Wallace said. “But NASCAR said they had two people, two sponsorship representatives [for the Davis team] who heard it. I don’t know who to believe.” Wallace said he did tell Berry directly, “I hope to God you didn’t do what they said you did.” Wallace said he scheduled a team meeting for the entire Rusty Wallace Racing team for Friday at 8 a.m., with the intention of telling all personnel, “I’d better not ever hear that out of our team.” Wallace said NASCAR told him that “their goal is to get Bryan back into NASCAR as soon as they can,” and that part of the conditions for Berry’s return include sensitivity training. In Berry’s absence, Wallace said, car chief Shane Huffman will move to crew chief for Gaughan, beginning with Saturday night’s race at Kentucky Speedway.(ESPN.com)(6-11-2009)
UPDATE 2: NASCAR Nationwide Series team oner Rusty Wallace said Friday at Kentucky Speedway that he will not appeal the suspension of crew chief Bryan Berry despite disagreeing with the penalty handed down Thursday. Wallace said he hopes the suspension lasts two weeks at the most and that NASCAR President Mike Helton told him his goal is to get Berry back as soon as possible.(Scene Daily)(6-12-2009)
UDPATE 3: Harry Davis did call Rusty Wallace to apologize for the situation that resulted in Rusty Wallace Racing crew chief Bryan Berry being indefinitely suspended for allegedly saying a racial slur against Marc Davis after Davis made contact with RWR driver Brendan Gaughan on pit road. Wallace has been saying that Davis called him to apologize for the situation from last week’s race at Nashville Superspeedway, where Gaughan was darting into his pit when Davis was turning into the garage and the two cars collided, causing tempers to escalate. But Harry Davis, Marc’s father, said that he was apologizing for Gaughan, whom he believes should be blamed for what transpired. Harry Davis said Gaughan’s anger and saying that Georgetown University was better than Howard University, whose radio station sponsored the 19-year-old African-American driver, inflamed the situation.(Scene Daily)(6-14-2009)
#91 team Crew chief fined: NASCAR announced that Michael Allen, crew chief for the #91 Chevy driven by Terry Cook in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, has been fined due to rule violations during this past Friday’s event at Darlington Raceway. Allen was fined $2,500 for violating Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-1 (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules) and 20A-12.1A(10) (jacking bolt must be made of solid magnetic steel: hollow bolt) of the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series rule book. The infractions were discovered on May 7 during opening-day inspection.(NASCAR PR)(5-13-2009)
#77 crew member suspended: UPDATE: Richard Gray, a licensed crew member for the #77 team in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, has been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR for violating the sanctioning body’s substance abuse policy. On April 30, Gray was found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 7-5 (violation of the NASCAR substance abuse policy) of the 2009 NASCAR rule book.(NASCAR PR)(5-5-2009)
UPDATE: Cardinal Motorsports maintains a zero tolerance policy, and the crew member in question has been released from the #77 Nationwide Series team. It is an unfortunate situation for everyone involved, and has been addressed expeditiously so that the team can return its focus to performance on the track. Cardinal Motorsports respects and appreciates NASCAR’s action in this matter.(Cardinal Motorsports PR)(5-5-2009)
Benny Gordon’s Appeal Denied: On April 20, 2009, the National Stock Car Racing Commission heard and considered the appeal of Benny Gordon Racing regarding the #72 NASCAR Nationwide Series car. The appeal concerned three penalties issued by NASCAR stemming from pre-qualifying inspection on March 21, 2009 for the NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Bristol Motor Speedway. The Appellants requested and were granted a deferral of the fine and suspension penalties until such time as this hearing could be convened. The Appellants argued that sometime prior to the Event they had purchased a supply of Sunoco fuel for testing purposes from a third-party vendor which, unbeknownst to them, contained oxygenates. Fuel from this supply was then re-introduced into the racecar at Bristol when they “topped off” the car using a dumpcan from their hauler just prior to qualifying. The Commission found that the fuel did not meet specifications and that the penalties already factored in any mitigating circumstances. Therefore, it is the unanimous decision of the National Stock Car Racing Commission to uphold the original penalties assessed by NASCAR. The periods of suspension shall be adjusted from the date of this hearing. 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)(4-20-2009)
Gordon Qualifying Time Disallowed: UPDATE 3: Penalties #72-Benny Gordon’s qualifying time was disallowed after a post-qualifying fuel sample did not meet specifications. #96-Dennis Setzer is now in the field.(NASCAR PR)(3-21-2009)
UPDATE: Nationwide Series Director Joe Balash said there could be more penalties coming for North South Motorsports’ Benny Gordon after his fuel did not meet NASCAR specifications following his qualifying lap Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway. Gordon’s qualifying time was disallowed and because he did not have one of the guaranteed positions based on top-30 owners points from last year, Gordon did not compete in the race. Would he have been disqualified from the event if he had a guaranteed spot? “We probably would have had deeper discussions about that type of a penalty,” Balash said Sunday. “We didn’t have any of those conversations because they weren’t [guaranteed].” Balash chose his words carefully when talking about what happened and whether it was possible that there were remnants of another fuel from other series that Gordon competes in.(Scene Daily)(3-22-2009)
UPDATE 2: A statement from the team: After qualifying, NASCAR tested [Gordon’s] car’s fuel as with everyone’s fuel. To Gordon’s surprise his fuel did not meet NASCAR’s specifications. Gordon and crew were baffled by these results because the only fuel used at anytime in this car was the required Sunoco 260GTX. Gordon had bought some 260GTX and used it to do his shake down of the car the day before. Once at the track Gordon received the free Sunoco supplied 260GTX and filled his car to start the practice day. After his practice runs and before qualifying, he topped off his car with the Sunoco 260GTX he had purchased. Inadvertently, this fuel must have been different. The fuel is being tested by independent labs on Monday and Gordon will have this matter resolved as he and his crew has worked around the clock to provide a competitive race team without any errors. Gordon stated “There has been an error that did not allow our fuel to pass technical inspection. I’m disappointed for my team, sponsors, family and friends who put forth such an effort to only see it be cut short. We will be working hard to get the answers to what happened”. Gordon will start working this week on his Nashville Nationwide car and is excited about his future in the Nationwide series.(Benny Gordon PR)(3-23-2009)
UDPATE 3: NASCAR announced that the crew chief, owner and driver for the #72 NASCAR Nationwide Series team have been fined and penalized due to rule violations discovered during this past weekend’s event at Bristol Motor Speedway. In addition to having the qualifying time disallowed for the #72 Ford driven by Benny Gordon, crew chief Andy Punch has been fined $10,000 and suspended for the next four NASCAR events from April 4-29, 2009 and placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2009, for violating Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-I (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules), 20A-15 (NASCAR reserves the right to have all cars use the same brand of fuel in a given event) and 20A-15.2C (the gasoline must not be blended with alcohols, ethers, or other oxygenates and it must not be blended with aniline or its derivatives, nitro compounds or other nitrogen-containing compounds) of the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series rule book. Team owner Frank Varischetti was penalized with the loss of 50 NASCAR Nationwide Series championship owner points while Gordon also was docked 50 NASCAR Nationwide Series championship driver points. The infractions were discovered on March 20 during opening-day inspection.(NASCAR PR)(3-25-2009)
#23 crew member suspended: UPDATE: John Boyd, a licensed crew member for the #23 team in the Nationwide Series, has been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR for violating the sanctioning body’s substance abuse policy. On March 9, Boyd was found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 7-5 (violation of the NASCAR substance abuse policy) of the 2009 NASCAR rule book.(NASCAR PR)(3-11-2009)
UPDATE: Statement from the team: On March 9, NASCAR handed down an indefinite suspension to a crew member of R3 Motorsports for violating the sanctioning body’s substance abuse policy. The crew member of the #23 NASCAR Nationwide Series team, John Boyd, was a contract employee serving as a tire carrier on race day; only. He was not a day-to-day employee of the team. “We strongly support NASCAR and their continued effort regarding their substance abuse policy,” said Rob Fuller, of R3 Motorsports. “NASCAR respectfully contacted us in advance to inform us of the test results for Mr. Boyd. We thank them for their professionalism in this matter. Mr. Boyd must now deal directly with NASCAR regarding this issue. R3 Motorsports is fairly new to NASCAR competition and we want them, our sponsors, crew members and fans to know we stand by and support NASCAR’s substance abuse initiatives. We will continue to work with them in the future in regards to this; and all matters.”(R3 Motorsports PR)(3-12-2009)
RAB to appeal Daytona penalties: UPDATE 2: The National Stock Car Racing Commission accepted a request for an appeal pertaining to the penalty levied against Jay Robinson, car owner of the #09 Ford at Daytona. A date for the hearing has yet to be set, however it is expected to take place sometime next week. “I’m grateful to NASCAR for having a process in place for this type of instance. They’ve been very helpful and we look forward to the opportunity to present the facts of our particular case to the Commission so that the penalty may be reconsidered.” – Robby Benton, General Manager(RAB Racing PR), for earlier information on the penalty, see the 2009 Nationwide Series penalties page.(2-25-2009)
UPDATE: On March 9, 2009, the National Stock Car Racing Commission heard and considered the appeal of RAB Racing regarding the #09 NASCAR Nationwide Series car. The appeal concerned three penalties issued by NASCAR stemming from opening day inspection on February 10, 2009 for the NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Daytona International Speedway. The Appellants argued that the modifications to the roll cage did not violate NASCAR rules in that the tubing was originally round. The Appellants argued that the modifications did not represent an intentional effort on their part to circumvent the rules, rather that the chassis had been purchased from a third party and had been modified at some time in the past to allow for bodywork clearance. They further pointed out that no effort had been made on their part to conceal the modifications during the inspection process. They also argued that the penalty was excessive in light of these circumstances. The Commission found the Appellants’ explanation of the sequence of events regarding the modifications to the roll bar to be both plausible and believable. Ultimately, however, the team presenting the car for inspection is responsible for that car’s adherence to the rules. Since the modifications may have affected the integrity of the roll cage, an excessive penalty was warranted in this case. Therefore, it is the unanimous decision of the National Stock Car Racing Commission to uphold the original penalties assessed by NASCAR.(NASCAR PR)(3-9-2009)
UPDATE 2: RAB Racing has lost its appeal to National Stock Car Racing Commissioner Charles Strang over a $15,000, 100-point penalty for having an illegal roll cage in the Nationwide Series car it brought to race in the season-opening event at Daytona International Speedway. The roll cage was bent near the driver’s door. Team owner Robby Benton’s biggest issue with the penalty was that points were taken away for a car that was never raced. NASCAR officials asked the team to bring out a backup car but did not impound the car. Benton’s appeal to Strang occurred March 30 and Benton said he was informed of the decision April 3.(Scene Daily)(4-5-2009)
Two crew chiefs fined: NASCAR announced that two Nationwide Series crew chiefs have been fined due to rule violations discovered during this past weekend’s event at Auto Club Speedway. Brad Hicks, crew chief of the #01 Chevy driven by Danny O’Quinn Jr., and Corrie Stott, crew chief for the #02 Chevy of driver Andy Ponstein, have each been fined $2,000 for violating Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-1 (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules) and 20A-12.1A(10) (jacking bolt must be made of solid magnetic steel: hollow bolt) of the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series rule book. The infractions were discovered on Feb. 21 during pre-qualifying inspection. (NASCAR PR)(2-25-2009)
Penalties expected for #0 & #84 teams: UPDATES: Nationwide Series Director Joe Balash said penalties can be expected for JD Motorsports and Mike Harmon Racing after the sanctioning body found violations with their cars in inspection after Saturday’s Camping World 300 at Daytona. Balash said NASCAR confiscated both front springs from JD Motorsports’ #0 Chevy driven by Danny O’Quinn to a 23rd-place finish. “We have a spring-rate rule that measures the individual spring’s rates and the total on the front of the car,” Balash said. “The numbers did not match what the rule is.” Balash said the rates of the front springs weren’t close to the minimum required. Mike Harmon Racing’s #84 Chevy, which finished 29th with driver Mike Harmon, was discovered to have ballast – weight that can be shifted around for chassis balance – outside the frame rail, a violation of a rule instituted this year. “We made those changes as a safety precaution, moved the weight underneath the car and inside the frame rail,” Balash said. Any penalties would likely be announced Tuesday at the earliest.(Scene Daily)(2-14-2009)
UPDATE: A statement from Johnny Davis: “Nationwide Series #0 owner Johnny Davis expresses his apology to the fans, the sponsors, the crew and driver Danny O’Quinn for his oversight in re-checking the spring rates from last time they ran them.”(JD Motorsports PR)(2-15-2009)
UPDATE 2: NASCAR announced today that three Nationwide Series teams have been fined and penalized due to rule violations discovered during last week’s event at Daytona.
Blake Bainbridge, crew chief of the #09 Ford driven by John Wes Townley, has been fined $15,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until June 30, 2009 for violating Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-I (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules) and 20A-18A (Once constructed and installed, the roll cage must be acceptable to NASCAR officials. Main roll bar (#1) was not round; was altered for clearance) of the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series rule book. Jay Robinson was penalized with the loss of 100 Nationwide Series championship owner points while Townley was docked 100 Nationwide Series championship driver points. Those infractions were discovered on Feb. 10 during opening-day inspection. George Bartlett, crew chief of the #84 Chevy driven by Mike Harmon, has been fined $10,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until June 30, 2009 due to rule violations discovered during opening-day inspection and post-race inspection on Feb. 14, respectively. Bartlett was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1, 12-4-I and 20A-2.3A (Weight containers welded to the outside of the main frame rails must not contain added weight in any form; added weight to the outside frame rail) and 20A-13E (Invalid SFI label). Team owner/driver Harmon was penalized with the loss of 25 Nationwide Series championship owner points and 25 Nationwide Series championship driver points for each infraction, totaling 50 points in each category.
Additionally Michael Hobson, crew chief for the #0 Chevy driven by Danny O’Quinn Jr., was fined $5,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until June 30, 2009 for violation of 12-1, 12-4-I and 20A-12.1A(8) (Combined spring rate was less than specified. The left front spring rate was less than specified). Johnny Davis was penalized with the loss of 25 Nationwide Series championship owner points and O’Quinn forfeited 25 Nationwide Series championship driver points due to the violations, which also were found during post-race inspection.(NASCAR PR)(2-19-2009)
UPDATE 3: A statement from Mike Harmon: “The penalties and fine that were issued to us at Daytona were due to an incorrect SFI sticker on the quick disconnect coupler of the steering wheel that was discovered by the officials upon inspection and corrected immediately, the issue with the weight was due to the lead weight being 3 inches out of place, which was a safety issue and not a performance enhancing issue. We have volunteers working at the shop night and day and it is hard to keep up with all of the NASCAR rules and regulations that are new for the season. We are aware that NASCAR has no leniency in regards to the safety of the drivers and crew, and have taken all steps required to correct the issue with the car. We appreciate all of the support we received during speedweeks at Daytona, and thank all of the fans who have stood by us throughout the years.”(Mike Harmon PR)(2-19-2009)