Four crew chiefs suspended

Ken Francis, crew chief for the No. 9 Dodge driven by Kasey Kahne, and Robbie Reiser, crew chief for the No. 17 Ford of Matt Kenseth, have been suspended for four races and fined $50,000 (USD). Their cars failed post-qualifying inspection and were sent to the back of the grid of the second Gatorade Duel.

Both cars had holes that were not sealed as they were supposed to be at the time of post-qualifying inspection, something that might have given them an aerodynamic advantage.

Kahne and Kenseth have also been penalised with the loss of 50 driver championship points, while their car owners Ray Evernham and Jack Roush were penalized 50 car owner championship points.

Crew chiefs for Ray Evernham cars, Rodney Childers and Josh Browne, have been suspended for two races and fined $25,000 (USD).

Their drivers Scott Riggs and Elliot Sadler were also penalized 25 driver championship points while their car owners, James Rocco and Evernham, were penalized 25 car owner championship points.

Both Evernham cars failed pre-qualifying inspection after being found with unapproved aerodynamic modifications to the spoiler fasteners, which allowed air to flow through the trunk area.

Hours before the penalties were announced on Tuesday, NASCAR CEO Brian France had warned they would impose tougher penalties on teams breaking the rules.

"It's our job to escalate penalties. You're going to see it today," France said. "It will be undeniable that when you keep pushing the system and test the integrity of the sport, we will do whatever it takes.

"That doesn't mean you go out and get somebody in the electric chair, but it does mean you step up the penalties to a level that makes it a true deterrent."

Last year Jimmie Johnson's crew chief was thrown out of the Daytona 500 for illegal modifications made to Johnson's car during qualifying.

Chad Knaus was accused of raising the rear window on the No. 48 Chevrolet to alter aerodynamics during Johnson's run. Without Knaus, however, Johnson still went on to win the race.

NASCAR still has not issued any statement regarding Michael Waltrip's No. 55 Toyota Camry, which was impounded by officials on Sunday after a substance was found in the intake manifold of the engine.