NASCAR news: commission hears Joe Gibbs Racing appeal

Published 3:00 pm Wednesday, September 3, 2008

The National Stock Car Racing Commission issued the following statement on Wednesday:

“On September 3, 2008, the National Stock Car Racing Commission heard and considered the appeal of Joe Gibbs Racing. The appeal concerned two penalties issued by NASCAR to drivers Tony Stewart and Joey Logano.

Briefly, the penalties concern Section 12-4-A of the NASCAR Rule Book “Actions detrimental to stock car racing,” … : Magnetic spacer attached under the gas pedal with the intent of compromising the chassis dyno test.

This stemmed from post-race inspection for a NASCAR Nationwide Series Event held at Michigan International Speedway on August 16, 2008.

The penalties assessed against each driver were:

— A loss of 150 NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship Driver points, and probation until Dec 31, 2008.

Records indicate that others, including the car owners, crew chiefs and team members also received penalties for these same infractions. However, the Appellants specifically requested that the Commission review the probation portion of the driver penalties only. The Appellants also requested and were granted a deferral of the driver probation portions of the penalties until this hearing could be convened.

After reviewing the testimony presented during the hearing, the National Stock Car Racing Commission unanimously decided to amend the penalties assessed by NASCAR, removing the probation portions of both driver penalties, while leaving the Championship Driver points portions intact.”