CHARLOTTE, N.C. (March 4, 2008) – Two of the three penalties NASCAR assessed Nationwide Series team owner James Finch and his Phoenix Racing team during Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway have been amended by the National Stock Car Racing Commission, it was announced Tuesday.
In the decision, the three-member panel consisting of Commission Chairman George Silbermann, Jack Housby and Cathy Rice, upheld the loss of 25 car owner points for Finch and 25 driver points for Johnny Sauter, but assessed Finch a $15,000 fine. It also suspended crew chief Newt Moore for the next two weeks, but left him on probation until Dec. 31.
Originally, the penalties issued following post-qualifying inspection on Feb. 15 docked Finch and Sauter each 25 points. Moore was fined $15,000, suspended for the next six races and from NASCAR until April 9 and placed on probation until Dec. 31.
During the appeal, Phoenix Racing's representatives argued that the infractions were minor, did not constitute a performance advantage, and did not warrant the penalties that were assessed.
Commission members, however, noted they considered several factors, including the passage of air into or out of the car. In this case, the stepped, 2-part encasement cover was missing a bolt in the top cover section, as well as being loose along the perimeter of the bottom cover section, the Commission said.
The Commission also decided there were very unusual circumstances regarding the crew chief in this case, but did not elaborate.
Finch may appeal the decision to the National Stock Car Racing Commissioner.
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03-06-2008, 12:57 AM
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