Two Teams Receive New Record Penalties
The two steepest penalties were reserved for the two violations found in post-qualifying inspection. Both of these teams were penalized for unapproved aerodynamic modifications, car parts not conforming to NASCAR rules and actions detrimental to stock car racing.
NASCAR levied the following penalties against the #17 Roush Racing Ford team driven by Matt Kenseth.
- Crew Chief Robby Reiser was suspended for four races
- Crew Chief Robby Reiser was fined $50,000
- Driver Matt Kenseth was docked 50 driver points
- Car Owner Jack Roush was docked 50 car owner points
The Ray Evernham Dodge #9 team and driver Kasey Kahne received a similar set of penalties.
- Crew Chief Ken Francis was suspended for four races
- Crew Chief Ken Francis was fined $50,000
- Driver Kasey Kahne was docked 50 driver points
- Car Owner Ray Evernham was docked 50 car owner points
Two Teams Receive Lighter Penalties For Pre-Qualifying Violations
NASCAR also announced penalties for two other teams that ran afoul of NASCAR rules during pre-qualifying inspection for the Daytona 500. Apparently NASCAR believes these rule breakers are half as bad as the previous two teams.
One of these is Ray Evernham's other Dodge team. The #19 driven by Elliott Sadler also drew NASCAR's attention today.
- Crew Chief Josh Browne was suspended for two races
- Crew Chief Josh Browne was fined $25,000
- Driver Elliott Sadler was docked 25 driver points
- Car Owner Ray Evernham was docked 25 car owner points
Scott Riggs is going to learn to hate Daytona. Last year he failed to qualify for the race. This year he starts off Daytona with a set of NASCAR penalties on his #10 Dodge team.
- Crew Chief Rodney Childers was suspended for two races
- Crew Chief Rodney Childers was fined $25,000
- Driver Scott Riggs was docked 25 driver points
- Car Owner James Rocco was docked 25 car owner points
No News For Mikey
It is interesting that NASCAR did not mention Michael Waltrip today. NASCAR confiscated his car after qualifying to further investigate a suspicious substance in the intake manifold. NASCAR must still be going through the car with a fine tooth comb.
NASCAR has to do something before Thursday's Gatorade Duel qualifying races. They have Waltrip's car so he either needs his car back or a definitive answer from NASCAR to prepare his backup. I would think that we will hear more on their decision tomorrow (Wednesday).
