CONCORD, N.C. (June 10, 2008) – The National Stock Car Racing Commission has upheld the penalties assessed Haas CNC Racing for rule violations discovered last month during Coca-Cola 600 weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway, it was announced Tuesday.
In an appeals hearing Monday, commission chairman George Silbermann and members Leo Mehl and Kevin Whitaker said the infractions resulted from what appeared to be a deliberate attempt to circumvent the inspection process by the No. 66 NASCAR Sprint Cup team, which fields Chevrolets for Scott Riggs. Therefore, the penalties that were issued were warranted.
An appeals panel comprised of Silbermann, Dale Pinilis and Cathy Rice heard the appeal by Haas CNC Racing's No. 70 team, which fields Chevrolets for Johnny Sauter, for the same infraction and unanimously upheld the same penalties assessed that team.
On May 24, NASCAR confiscated Riggs' and Sauter's primary cars after officials determined the upper wing mounts on their cars were in the wrong location.
Riggs and car owner Joe Custer were each penalized 150 points, as was Sauter and car owner Margaret Haas. Both crew chiefs and car chiefs for the two cars -- Bootie Barker and Derick Jennings for the No. 66 and Dave Skog and Thomas Harris for the No. 70 – were suspended from the next six Sprint Cup events, suspended from NASCAR until July 9 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31. Barker and Skog also were fined $100,000 each.
During the appeal, Haas CNC Racing officials didn't contest the rules violation, but argued the penalties were too severe for the infractions. They also argued the infractions didn't involve illegal parts on the car, and the higher wing location was a disadvantage.
Haas CNC Racing may appeal Monday's rulings to the National Stock Car Racing Commissioner.
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06-10-2008, 12:40 PM
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