No. 41 team assessed P2 penalty after Pocono

The No. 41 team of Kurt Busch has been assessed a P2-level penalty after NASCAR officials found the right rear quarter panel was modified after race inspection last weekend at Pocono Raceway.

Tony Gibson, crew chief for the Stewart-Haas Racing No. 41 team, was fined $10,000 and will continue to be on NASCAR Probation through Dec. 31.

The infraction was found in sections 12.1; 20.4, 20.4.16 and 20.4.2 of the NASCAR Rule Book, all pertaining to body specifications and including, "All braces used to support fenders and quarter panels must be straight." Busch was sent to the rear of the field to start the race for the unapproved body modification.

Busch finished 10th at Pocono and officially clinched a berth in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Through 21 races this year, he has completed every lap.

Other penalties announced Thursday morning:

• The gas man for the No. 34 team of race winner Chris Buescher, Josh Patch, was fined $1,000 and the team was assessed a P1 penalty for safety violations at Pocono. NASCAR pit-road officiating found Patch was "on the service side of the pit wall with face shield up." Sections 12.1 and 12.5.3.2.1 of the NASCAR Rule Book apply.

• The Nos. 7 (Regan Smith) and 23 (David Ragan) cars failed pre-race laser inspection twice on Sunday. The Nos. 13 (Casey Mears) and 95 (Michael McDowell) failed pre-qualifying laser inspection twice on Saturday. And the Nos. 7, 23, and 42 (Kyle Larson) cars failed pre-qualifying template inspection twice. All received written warnings.

• Three teams received written warnings and a loss of 15 minutes of practice time after having inspection trouble. The No. 18 of Kyle Busch, No. 20 of Matt Kenseth and No. 78 of Martin Truex Jr. all failed pre-qualifying template inspection three times on Saturday.

via NASCAR.