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The three member National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel upheld penalties imposed against the crew members of Paul Menard's #27 Chevrolet owned by Richard Childress Racing.
The six-week suspensions of Craig Smokstad (car chief) and Grant Hutchens (crew member) “will be effective immediately,” said the panel in a statement.
The penalties arose from a failure to pass a post (Michigan International Speedway) race inspection at Concord, N.C. when NASCAR said that the No. 27 team was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4K (race equipment that has been previously certified or previously approved by NASCAR for use in an event, pursuant to sub-section 8-12, has been altered, modified, repaired or changed in any manner. Intentionally modifying frame rails for the purpose of deceiving NASCAR's inspection gauges) of the 2012 NASCAR Rule Book.
The original penalties were - crew chief Slugger Labbe was fined $100,000, suspended from NASCAR until Oct. 3 and placed on probation until Dec. 31. Car chief Craig Smokstad was suspended from NASCAR until Oct. 3 and placed on probation until Dec. 31, while crew member Grant Hutchens was suspended from NASCAR until Oct. 3 and placed on probation until Dec. 31. Driver Paul Menard and owner Richard Childress have been penalized with the loss of 25 championship drivers' and owners' points, respectively.
RCR did not appeal the inspectors' findings. The appeal was limited to the suspensions of Smokstad and Hutchens only. Pending the outcome of the appeal the crew members' suspensions were held in abeyance which is why the suspensions started as of the result of the appeal.
Labbe began serving his suspension on September 4th.
“The Appellant has the right under Section 15 of the rule book to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Chief Appellate Officer,” according to the statement from the Appeals Panel.
The six-week suspensions of Craig Smokstad (car chief) and Grant Hutchens (crew member) “will be effective immediately,” said the panel in a statement.
The penalties arose from a failure to pass a post (Michigan International Speedway) race inspection at Concord, N.C. when NASCAR said that the No. 27 team was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4K (race equipment that has been previously certified or previously approved by NASCAR for use in an event, pursuant to sub-section 8-12, has been altered, modified, repaired or changed in any manner. Intentionally modifying frame rails for the purpose of deceiving NASCAR's inspection gauges) of the 2012 NASCAR Rule Book.
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| Photo: NASCAR |
The original penalties were - crew chief Slugger Labbe was fined $100,000, suspended from NASCAR until Oct. 3 and placed on probation until Dec. 31. Car chief Craig Smokstad was suspended from NASCAR until Oct. 3 and placed on probation until Dec. 31, while crew member Grant Hutchens was suspended from NASCAR until Oct. 3 and placed on probation until Dec. 31. Driver Paul Menard and owner Richard Childress have been penalized with the loss of 25 championship drivers' and owners' points, respectively.
RCR did not appeal the inspectors' findings. The appeal was limited to the suspensions of Smokstad and Hutchens only. Pending the outcome of the appeal the crew members' suspensions were held in abeyance which is why the suspensions started as of the result of the appeal.
Labbe began serving his suspension on September 4th.
“The Appellant has the right under Section 15 of the rule book to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Chief Appellate Officer,” according to the statement from the Appeals Panel.