Brad Keselowski’s lead in the Nationwide Series got a bit smaller as NASCAR officials announced penalties and fines against his team, and two other teams, for rules violations at Sunday’s race at Talladega Superspeedway.
Following his victory at the crash-filled race which finished under a green-white-checkered flag rule; a post-race inspection found an unapproved left front spring and an unapproved right front shock absorber. Crew chief Paul Wolfe was fined $10,000 for each infraction. The victory stands and Penske Racing will not appeal the ruling.
Although the car is considered belonging to Penske Racing a NASCAR pre-season points swap deal has the title belonging to Jodi Geschickter. As owner of the #22 Dodge, Geschickter was docked 50 points (25 for each violation) as well as Keselowski.
Keselowski, who almost didn’t make the race due to an excess of carbon monoxide in his system due to a crash in the Cup race run earlier that afternoon, still leads the Nationwide Series. His lead in the Nationwide Series has shrunk to 10 points over Kevin Harvick who won the Sprint Cup race earlier that afternoon. Kyle Busch stands third, 54 points behind the leader.
Since the offending parts were confiscated by NASCAR officials the Penske team did not have an opportunity to refute the violations except to state that they were not intentional.
In other rulings relating to opening day inspections Bob Schacht, crew chief of the No. 75 team, has been fined $5,000 for reinforcement extended forward of the coil spring mounting pad and $2,500 for use of hollow bolts in truck trailing arms and panhard bar. Bobby Gerhart was the driver of that car. There was no announcement of points deductions.
Also Newt Moore, crew chief of the No. 05 team, was fined $2,500 after opening day inspection revealed non-magnetic steel rear jacking bolts. Willie Allen was the driver of that car There was no announcement of points deductions.
Following his victory at the crash-filled race which finished under a green-white-checkered flag rule; a post-race inspection found an unapproved left front spring and an unapproved right front shock absorber. Crew chief Paul Wolfe was fined $10,000 for each infraction. The victory stands and Penske Racing will not appeal the ruling.
Although the car is considered belonging to Penske Racing a NASCAR pre-season points swap deal has the title belonging to Jodi Geschickter. As owner of the #22 Dodge, Geschickter was docked 50 points (25 for each violation) as well as Keselowski.
Keselowski, who almost didn’t make the race due to an excess of carbon monoxide in his system due to a crash in the Cup race run earlier that afternoon, still leads the Nationwide Series. His lead in the Nationwide Series has shrunk to 10 points over Kevin Harvick who won the Sprint Cup race earlier that afternoon. Kyle Busch stands third, 54 points behind the leader.
Since the offending parts were confiscated by NASCAR officials the Penske team did not have an opportunity to refute the violations except to state that they were not intentional.
In other rulings relating to opening day inspections Bob Schacht, crew chief of the No. 75 team, has been fined $5,000 for reinforcement extended forward of the coil spring mounting pad and $2,500 for use of hollow bolts in truck trailing arms and panhard bar. Bobby Gerhart was the driver of that car. There was no announcement of points deductions.
Also Newt Moore, crew chief of the No. 05 team, was fined $2,500 after opening day inspection revealed non-magnetic steel rear jacking bolts. Willie Allen was the driver of that car There was no announcement of points deductions.