DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - NASCAR has issued penalties and fines to the No. 7 team that competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, as a result of rule infractions found during Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway.
The No. 7 car driven and owned by Robby Gordon was found to be in violation of Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used do not conform to NASCAR rules); and 20-3.10A (unapproved front bumper cover) of the 2008 NASCAR rule book. The violations were found during opening day inspection for the Daytona 500 on Feb. 8.
As a result, Gordon has been penalized 100 championship driver and owner points. Crew chief Frank Kerr has been fined $100,000, suspended for the next six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events until April 9 and placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2008.
I submitted an articule on this very issue today. Man Nascar has got a hard on for Robbie. He gets one week to get it together with Dodge...Dodge sends him parts....Robbie gets the shaft. Guess Nascar figured he had enough time to manipulate his parts! Gimme a break. Come on Nascar, saw worse things as far as "cheatin" and these guys get a slap on the wrists. Whats up with that? Guess Robbie hasn't made many friends in the penalty box eh?
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Loss of 100 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Car Owner Points for car owner Robby Gordon.
Loss of 100 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Driver Points for driver Robby Gordon.
$100,000.00 fine; suspension from NASCAR for the next six (6) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Events; suspension from NASCAR until April 9, 2008, and probation until December 31, 2008 for crew chief, Frank Kerr.
The Appellants argued that the bumper cover was installed as delivered from the manufacturer, that it did not provide a competition advantage since it was discovered prior to being allowed on the racetrack, and that the bumper met the templates. The Appellants also argued against the severity of the penalties.
In deliberating, the Commission considered several factors. The bumper cover constituted an obvious rules infraction and the Appellants did not contest the legality of the part.
The Commission notes and reaffirms the following fundamental principal which is vital to maintaining the integrity of the sport: Regardless of the source of an unapproved part on a racecar, the race team that officially enters the car in a NASCAR race is ultimately accountable for that racecars conformance, or non-conformance, to the rules.
However, the Commission believes that the facts presented during the hearing represented an extraordinary and unusual set of circumstances. While this does not excuse the infraction, the National Stock Car Racing Commission has decided to reinstate the car owner and driver championship points, lift the suspension, and increase the fine.
For the crew chief, Frank Kerr, the penalty is increased to $150,000 and he remains on probation through Dec. 31, 2008.
The Appellants have the right under Section 15 of the Rule Book to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Commissioner.
I still can't believe NASCAR can't get this right. Drop the penalties but increase the fines!? The governing body of this sport is really mixed up IMO.
