NSCS: No. 31 Team Appeal Heard by National Motorsports Appeals Panel

The No. 31 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team had their appeal heard on Thursday after the team altered their tires back at the Auto Club Speedway on March 22.


NASCAR issued a p5 level penalty on March 31, suspending crew chief Luke Lambert for the next six races, plus any non-points events during that time. Lambert was also fined $125,000 and placed on probation through Dec. 31. James Bender (tire technician) and Philip Surgen (race engineer) were also placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31.


Ryan Newman and Richard Childress were also docked 75 driver and owner points.


The appeals panel determined:


1. The Appellants violated the Rule or Rules set forth in the Penalty Notice and it is a P5 level violation.


2. The Panel amends the original Penalty levied by NASCAR because there is no written explanation of what constitutes a post-race inspection. Therefore the Penalty elements added under Section 12.5.3.5.3. are removed and the Penalty adjusted to:


-Loss of 50 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Car Owner points for Richard Childress.


-Loss of 50 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Driver points for Ryan Newman.


-$75,000 fine.  Suspended for the next six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Races, plus any non-Championship Races or Special Events which might occur during that time period.  Placed on NASCAR probation through Dec. 31 for crew chief Lucas Lambert.


– Suspended for the next six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Races, plus any non-Championship Races or Special Events which might occur during that time period.  Placed on NASCAR probation through Dec. 31 for Tire Technician James Bender.


-Suspended for the next six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Races, plus any non-Championship Races or Special Events which might occur during that time period.  Placed on NASCAR probation through Dec. 31 for Race Engineer Philip Surgen.


The three panel members were John Capels, Hunter Nickell and Dale Pinilis. The team, under section 15 of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rule book, can appeal this decision made by the three panel members.

Brett Winningham
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