After much protest and deliberation, it was decided by NASCAR’s appeals committee that the penalties leveled against Penske Racing were unjust, and in need of modification. The committee reduced the number of races which Penske Racing’s crew chiefs will miss from six races to two, as well as the Sprint All-Star Race.
Despite the appeals ruling, which Penske ruled a success, both the fines and loss of points from rear-end housing penalties which occurred at Texas Motor Speedway will continue to stand.
John Middlebrook, Chief Appellate of the NSCRC (National Stock Car Racing Commission) determined the penalties to both cars of Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano were fair for the most part. Middlebrook has overseen five appeals hearings, and all five have been reduced in some form.
Before today, reigning champion Keselowski would be without his crew chief Paul Wolfe, car chief Jerry Kelley, and chief engineer Brian Wilson. Teammate Joey Logano would be without crew chief Todd Gordon, car chief Raymond Fox, and chief engineer Samuel Stanley. All of their probations remain enacted until December 31.
All of these key personnel were active in the races since Texas, but will have their suspensions begin this weekend at Darlington Raceway. The suspensions will continue through the Coca-Cola 600 weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and include the Sprint All-Star Race, which both Keselowski and Logano have a chance of being successful at.
This is literally the best-case scenario for Penske Racing. Six races during the summer stretch would have included a multitude of races, including a concrete track at Dover International Speedway and a the road course of Sonoma.
Now, the team will only miss three races at two tracks. Both points-paying races which they will encounter are at tracks that are all about survival, the perfect place to not have a chief engineer or crew chief. Crazier things have happened, including surprise winners Regan Smith at Darlington, and Casey Mears capturing his lone Sprint Cup Series victory at the Coca-Cola 600.
Despite this long process now culminating, don’t count out Penske Racing as they hit the track in Darlington this weekend.
Follow Mike Guzman on Twitter @Mike486
