Brad Keselowski gets points penalty from NASCAR over Texas issue

Keselowski and Penske team-mate Joey Logano had parts of their Fords confiscated prior to the race, leading to the reigning champion saying he felt 'targeted' by NASCAR.

The series announced on Wednesday that Penske's cars were in violation of sections 12-1, 12-4J and 20-12 of the rules. All three sections refer to suspension components.

"Prior to being used in competition, all suspension systems and components must be submitted, in a completed form/assembly, to the office of the NASCAR competition administrator for consideration of approval and approved by NASCAR," the regulations say.

As a result of the infringement, Keselowski has been docked 25 driver points while his crew chief Paul Wolfe has been fined $100,000 and suspended for six races. Wolfe has been placed on probation until December 31.

The penalty drops Keselowski from second to fourth in the championship, and increases his deficit to Jimmie Johnson from nine points to 34.

Penske has also been docked 25 owner points.

Logano has received the same penalty, while car chief Raymond Fox and team engineer Samuel Stanley have been handed the same penalties and fines as Wolfe.

NASCAR also announced that the car of Martin Truex Jr had been found to have violated sections 12-1 and 20-12.8.1B of the rules.

Crew chief Chad Johnston has been fined $25,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until June 5. Truex has been docked six driver points while team owner Michael Waltrip has lost the same amount of owner points.

NASCAR Sprint Cup standings:

     Before penalty              After
 1.  Jimmie Johnson     269  1.  Jimmie Johnson     269
 2.  Brad Keselowski    260  2.  Kyle Busch         251
 3.  Kyle Busch         251  3.  Greg Biffle        240
 4.  Greg Biffle        240  4.  Brad Keselowski    235
 5.  Carl Edwards       234  5.  Carl Edwards       234
 6.  Dale Earnhardt Jr  234  6.  Dale Earnhardt Jr  234