Front Row Motorsports appeal of penalties arising from an unapproved valve stem on tires used on the #38 Sprint Cup car was denied by the National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel.
The Sprint Cup team admitted the rules violation, but, with an explanation. As the Panel statement reads “the Appellants and team representative argued that, unbeknownst to the team management or the Appellants, valve stem caps designed to bleed air were developed by rogue elements of the team; that for some reason this hardware was mistakenly brought to the Pocono event on the team hauler; and that the caps were then accidently placed on the race car just prior to the start of the race.”
The Panel explained the Pocono track inspectors’ findings were “a small hole had been drilled in the top of each of the valve stem caps in question, and a foam material had been added to the interior of each cap. These valve stem caps were located on the left front and both rear tires of the race car upon discovery.”
The penalties concern Section 12-1 of the NASCAR Rule Book “Actions detrimental to stock car racing”; Section 12-4-J: “Any determination by NASCAR Officials that the Race Equipment used in the Event does not conform to NASCAR Rules”; and Section 20-10.7J: “Unapproved modification to valve stem hardware.”
“The Panel did not find the Appellants explanation to be plausible. The Panel found the penalties to be correct for the nature of the infraction.”
Five penalties were assessed including: 150 owner points against Doug Yates, 150 driver points against Travis Kvapil and a 12-race suspension and further probation for crew chief Steve Lane. These penalties were not appealed.
The remaining penalties of 12-race suspension for car chief, Richard Bourgeois, and tire specialist, Michael Harrold, followed by probation until December 31, 2010 were the subjects of the Appeal which was denied by the Panel.
The Sprint Cup team admitted the rules violation, but, with an explanation. As the Panel statement reads “the Appellants and team representative argued that, unbeknownst to the team management or the Appellants, valve stem caps designed to bleed air were developed by rogue elements of the team; that for some reason this hardware was mistakenly brought to the Pocono event on the team hauler; and that the caps were then accidently placed on the race car just prior to the start of the race.”
The Panel explained the Pocono track inspectors’ findings were “a small hole had been drilled in the top of each of the valve stem caps in question, and a foam material had been added to the interior of each cap. These valve stem caps were located on the left front and both rear tires of the race car upon discovery.”
The penalties concern Section 12-1 of the NASCAR Rule Book “Actions detrimental to stock car racing”; Section 12-4-J: “Any determination by NASCAR Officials that the Race Equipment used in the Event does not conform to NASCAR Rules”; and Section 20-10.7J: “Unapproved modification to valve stem hardware.”
“The Panel did not find the Appellants explanation to be plausible. The Panel found the penalties to be correct for the nature of the infraction.”
Five penalties were assessed including: 150 owner points against Doug Yates, 150 driver points against Travis Kvapil and a 12-race suspension and further probation for crew chief Steve Lane. These penalties were not appealed.
The remaining penalties of 12-race suspension for car chief, Richard Bourgeois, and tire specialist, Michael Harrold, followed by probation until December 31, 2010 were the subjects of the Appeal which was denied by the Panel.