Gibbs Penalties Announced: NASCAR announced that the #18 and #20 teams in the Nationwide Series have been penalized due to rule violations discovered by NASCAR inspectors prior to post-race testing on the chassis dynamometer Aug. 16 at Michigan International Speedway.
Both the #18 and # 20 cars were found to be in violation of Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 8-9 (competitive analysis - from time to time, NASCAR may determine, in the interest of competition, that it is necessary or appropriate to undertake an analysis of the performance capabilities of a car, car part, component or equipment. The Competitor shall take whatever steps are requested by NASCAR Officials for this purpose. NASCAR also has the right to seal or impound cars, car parts, components and/or equipment for this purpose); 12-4-Q (1): (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used that do not conform to NASCAR rules, detailed in Section 20A of the 2008 NASCAR Rule Book, or has not been approved by NASCAR prior to the event, or is not required for the normal functional operation of the race car, or has been altered to detract from or compromise its integrity or effectiveness, whether operational or not); 12-4-K: (when NASCAR Officials mandate inspection during the Event, if any car, car parts, components, and/or equipment which have been used in the Event are taken from the racing premises without permission of a NASCAR Official, or are tampered with by any member of the team or anyone associated with the team: Magnetic spacer attached under the gas pedal with the intent of compromising the chassis dynamometer test). Both of the drivers - Joey Logano of the #18 and Tony Stewart of the #20 - have been penalized with the loss of 150 championship driver points and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31, 2008. Joe Gibbs, owner of both of the cars, has likewise been penalized 150 championship owner points for each of those entries.
Both crew chiefs - Jason Ratcliff of the #18 and Dave Rogers of the #20 - have been fined $50,000 and indefinitely suspended from NASCAR.
From the No. 18 team, car chief Dorian Thorsen; engine tuner Michael Johnson; and crew member Toby Bigelow have been placed on indefinite suspension from NASCAR. From the #20 team, car chief Richard Bray and engine tuner Dan Bajek have been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR.
In addition, the entire # 18 and No. 20 Nationwide Series teams have been placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31, 2008.(NASCAR PR)(8-20-2008)
Ouch...... Indefinate suspensions, that's whats gonna hurt them the most. The #20 team still has a favorable lead in the owners standings.
-- Edited by President Lou Demian at 11:53, 2008-08-20
Wow, that sure is some Penalties son of a gun. The only question I have is why do the drivers get these Penalties too. But, then on one hand I guess if they hit the drivers maybe they will look at their cars a little more. Tho, I'm not sure if I totally agree with all of the penalties. 1st NASCAR Gives them to much horsepower then takes it away.
The infraction wasn't the horsepower but the fact that Gibbs was trying to manipulate the Dyno tests by putting magnets under the gas pedals (magnets would repel the pedal from the floor and thus the engine wasn't fully revved)
Since Gibbs was blatantly trying to hide their horsepower, they got stiff penalties.
I read a statement by Joe Gibbs today saying they were still planning on punishing the crew chiefs even more severly after they heard the Nascar decision. Marty Smith alluded to the fact that these guys could lose their jobs altogether.
