NASCAR Penalizes Team Penske

Just before the start of the NRA 500 on April 13th at the Texas Motor Speedway Team Penske was penalized for rear-end housings that failed pre-race inspection. NASCAR requires all suspension systems and parts to be pre-approved prior to being used in competition. Because these parts were not pre-approved they were confiscated by NASCAR, Penske drivers Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano were stripped of 25 points, both crew chiefs fined $100k and suspended for six races and several other team members were also suspended for six weeks. Penske Racing does plan to appeal these penalties.

More Nascar Violations

This time Team Penske are the culprits of illegal modifications discovered during inspections last weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. Chad Walter, crew chief for Sam Hornish Jr and Jeremy Bullins, crew chief for Brad Keselowski were both fined $10,000 and put on probation for the rest of the Nascar season. The tiniest modifications can make a huge impact at these types of speeds and therefore highly scrutinized and inspected but also sometimes difficult to spot.

More NASCAR Infractions

Driver Brad Keselowski was docked 50 points after his Nationwide Series victory at Talladega last weekend and his overall series lead dropped to 10.  He was docked 25 points each for an unapproved right front shock and an unapproved left front spring.  His crew chief was fined $20,000 and the car owner was also docked 50 points in the owner standings.

NASCAR Driver Carl Edwards on Probation for Intentional Wreck

Last Sunday NASCAR drivers Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski were in an early accident at the Kobalt Tools 500 Race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.  Later in the race Edwards came for revenge and deliberately wrecked Keselowski who dangerously went airborne.  NASCAR has put Edwards on probation for three races.  Not only do these intentional wrecks pose the risk of serious injury to drivers and fans it can also impact or fix standings and earnings for the drivers.  Racing can see its share of fixing by intentional wrecks for standings and race restarts, illegal blocking and illegal car modifications so don't think this sport is any more clean than others.