From NASCAR.com
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Clint Bowyer now finds himself right back where he started -- 16th among a field of 16 drivers battling for this year's NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup championship.
There is one difference. The Michael Waltrip Racing driver will be without the services of his crew chief, Billy Scott, for the next three races.
On Wednesday, NASCAR officials announced that Bowyer's No. 15 Toyota team had been penalized for a P4 level infraction found during opening day inspection last weekend at Chicagoland Speedway.
As a result, Bowyer has lost 25 driver points, team co-owner Rob Kauffman has been docked 25 owner points, Scott has been fined $75,000 and suspended for three races. He has also been placed on probation for six months.
Based on rules cited in the penalty announcement, the team was penalized for suspension and track bar issues.
Those noted included:
20.14c -- All suspension mounts and mounting hardware must not allow movement or realignment of any suspension and/or drivetrain component beyond normal rotation or suspension and/or drivetrain travel;
20.14.2.1.k -- Beveled washers and/or other components that allow movement under load will not be permitted on the track bar heim joints or rod end and/or track bar mounting bolts;
12.5.3.4.1.d -- Approved parts that are not properly installed or are made adjustable when not normally intended to be;
12.5.3.4.1.f -- Components, devices, systems, configurations, installations, etc. which serve to circumvent NASCAR templates, gauges, measuring devices whether intended or not …
Because Bowyer is competing in the Chase, and the result of any appeal would have an impact on the championship standings going forward, NASCAR's penalty statement stated that a request had been submitted to the Appeals Administrator of the National Motorsports Appeals Panel seeking to expedite any appeal.
Michael Waltrip Racing officials issued a statement shortly after Wednesday's penalty announcement.
"Michael Waltrip Racing respectfully disagrees with today's penalties and plans to immediately appeal," the statement read. "MWR has made mistakes in the past, but we feel we are correct in this instance. We look forward to the opportunity to present our case to the appeals committee and have no further comment until the process is completed."
Bowyer, competing in the Chase for the sixth time in his career, was seeded 16th in the field heading into last weekend's race in Chicago. He finished 19th and improved one position, to 15th, prior to the points deduction, earning 25 points.
Regardless of the appeals process, Bowyer must win one of the next two Sprint Cup races -- scheduled for New Hampshire and Dover -- or be one of the top 12 in points following the Dover race to advance to the Contender Round of the Chase.
MWR fields two teams in the Sprint Cup Series, the No. 15 of Bowyer as well as the No. 55 with driver David Ragan. Team owners announced earlier this year that Bowyer had been granted his release following the '15 season and that the organization would not field full-time teams beyond this year.
Earlier this year, the No. 31 team of Richard Childress Racing was hit with a Level P5 penalty for infractions involving the release of air pressure from the team's tires.
In addition to the penalty for the No. 15 team, NASCAR officials also penalized the No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing team with driver Danica Patrick for modifying the right-side quarterpanel during pre-qualifying inspection.
Crew chief Daniel Knost and car chief Pete White have been placed on probation through Dec. 31 for the Level P2 infraction.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Clint Bowyer now finds himself right back where he started -- 16th among a field of 16 drivers battling for this year's NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup championship.
There is one difference. The Michael Waltrip Racing driver will be without the services of his crew chief, Billy Scott, for the next three races.
On Wednesday, NASCAR officials announced that Bowyer's No. 15 Toyota team had been penalized for a P4 level infraction found during opening day inspection last weekend at Chicagoland Speedway.
As a result, Bowyer has lost 25 driver points, team co-owner Rob Kauffman has been docked 25 owner points, Scott has been fined $75,000 and suspended for three races. He has also been placed on probation for six months.
Based on rules cited in the penalty announcement, the team was penalized for suspension and track bar issues.
Those noted included:
20.14c -- All suspension mounts and mounting hardware must not allow movement or realignment of any suspension and/or drivetrain component beyond normal rotation or suspension and/or drivetrain travel;
20.14.2.1.k -- Beveled washers and/or other components that allow movement under load will not be permitted on the track bar heim joints or rod end and/or track bar mounting bolts;
12.5.3.4.1.d -- Approved parts that are not properly installed or are made adjustable when not normally intended to be;
12.5.3.4.1.f -- Components, devices, systems, configurations, installations, etc. which serve to circumvent NASCAR templates, gauges, measuring devices whether intended or not …
Because Bowyer is competing in the Chase, and the result of any appeal would have an impact on the championship standings going forward, NASCAR's penalty statement stated that a request had been submitted to the Appeals Administrator of the National Motorsports Appeals Panel seeking to expedite any appeal.
Michael Waltrip Racing officials issued a statement shortly after Wednesday's penalty announcement.
"Michael Waltrip Racing respectfully disagrees with today's penalties and plans to immediately appeal," the statement read. "MWR has made mistakes in the past, but we feel we are correct in this instance. We look forward to the opportunity to present our case to the appeals committee and have no further comment until the process is completed."
Bowyer, competing in the Chase for the sixth time in his career, was seeded 16th in the field heading into last weekend's race in Chicago. He finished 19th and improved one position, to 15th, prior to the points deduction, earning 25 points.
Regardless of the appeals process, Bowyer must win one of the next two Sprint Cup races -- scheduled for New Hampshire and Dover -- or be one of the top 12 in points following the Dover race to advance to the Contender Round of the Chase.
MWR fields two teams in the Sprint Cup Series, the No. 15 of Bowyer as well as the No. 55 with driver David Ragan. Team owners announced earlier this year that Bowyer had been granted his release following the '15 season and that the organization would not field full-time teams beyond this year.
Earlier this year, the No. 31 team of Richard Childress Racing was hit with a Level P5 penalty for infractions involving the release of air pressure from the team's tires.
In addition to the penalty for the No. 15 team, NASCAR officials also penalized the No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing team with driver Danica Patrick for modifying the right-side quarterpanel during pre-qualifying inspection.
Crew chief Daniel Knost and car chief Pete White have been placed on probation through Dec. 31 for the Level P2 infraction.
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