NASCAR Doles Out the Punishment

Speedweeks at Daytona got off to a rough start this week, as five Nextel Cup teams were fined for violating NASCAR's competition rule book. The penalties put many teams at a disadvantage going into the season's first and biggest race, the Daytona 500.

Kenny Francis and Robbie Reiser, crew chiefs for Kasey Kahne and Matt Kenseth, respectively, were each fined $50,000 and suspended for four races. The drivers were each docked 50 driver points, while the teams' owners (Ray Evernham and Jack Roush) were docked 50 owner points. The teams were accused of cheating in qualifying for the Daytona 500. Kahne's #9 Dodge Dealers Dodge and Kenseth's #17 DeWalt Tools Ford failed post-qualifying inspection because of air ducts at the rear of the car. Both drivers had their qualifying times disallowed and will start from the rear of the second qualifying race on Thursday.

Also receiving penalties were Rodney Childers and Josh Browne, crew chiefs for Scott Riggs and Elliott Sadler, respectively. The crew chiefs were each fined $25,000 and suspended for two races. Riggs, driver of the #10 Valvoline Dodge and Sadler, driver of the #19 Dodge Dealers Dodge, were docked 25 driver points each and Evernham, owner of both cars, was fined an additional 50 owner points. In these cars, holes were driven into the fasteners that hold the spoiler and roof deck onto the cars. This would have allowed the cars an aerodynamic advantage. Because these issues were found in pre-qualifying inspection, both drivers were allowed to keep their qualifying times.

The largest penalty of the weekend was handed down to Michael Waltrip Racing. Waltrip's #55 Napa Toyota was found to have a foreign substance inside the engine. Both crew chief David Hyder and the team's director of competition Bobby Kennedy were ejected from this weekend's events. Michael Waltrip was docked 100 driver points, while Buffy Waltrip, the team owner, was fined 100 owner points. Hyder has been suspended indefinitely and fined $100,000. Waltrip will be allowed to run in the qualifying race tomorrow but will have to start from the rear in a backup car.

Each of these five teams was found to be in violation of various NASCAR rules, including section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 12-4-Q (equipment not conforming to NASCAR rules).

These are some of the harshest penalties NASCAR has given out in its storied history. Last season, Jimmie Johnson's crew chief, Chad Knaus, was found to be in violation of NASCAR's rules and was suspended for four races, including the Daytona 500, and fined $25,000. Johnson went on to drive his #48 Lowe's Chevy to victory lane at Daytona and was crowned the 2006 Nextel Cup Champion.

NASCAR Speedweeks continues on Thursday with the running of the Gatorade Duels, two 150 mile races to determine the final lineup for the Daytona 500. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will begin its season on Friday, while the NASCAR Busch Series takes off on Saturday. The Daytona 500, featuring 43 of the best Nextel Cup drivers, will be featured on Sunday.

Sources:

www.jayski.com

www.espn.com

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