Matt Kenseth's Kansas penalties reduced by NASCAR appeals panel
A NASCAR appeals panel has reduced the penalties imposed on Matt Kenseth and Joe Gibbs Racing after their Kansas-winning car failed a technical inspection
The team was penalised when a connecting rod in the engine was found to be three grammes underweight, although JGR appealled on the grounds that the engines are leased from Toyota Racing Development, and that it is not allowed to touch them.
Toyota also accepted responsibility, and argued that the part did not offer an advantage.
The three-member National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel appeared to agree, reducing Kenseth's points deduction from 50 to 12, moving him from 11th to fourth in the points, and reinstating the three bonus points that count towards seeding for the Chase.
Crew chief Jason Ratcliff's suspension was cut from six races to one, although his $200,000 fine still stands, while team owner Joe Gibbs' six-race suspension was rescinded completely. However Toyota's penalty was increased from five points to seven.
NASCAR spokesperson Kerry Tharp said that the series was disappointed in the decision.
"Our sport has a due process system in place that has served this sport very well for more than 65 years, and that due process resulted in this decision here today," Tharp said.
"While we are disappointed by today's outcome, we stand firmly behind our inspection process. The inspection of engines, and engine parts and pieces has always been regarded as the holy grail throughout the industry - that, along with fuel and tyres.
"In violations such as these, we have no other reinforcement process than to penalise the team owner and team members. That's how our system works."
It is the second time in less than a week that a NASCAR team has had a penalty reduced on appeal, with Penske having successfully fought the severity of sanctions levied against Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano after the Texas race.
Previous article
NASCAR reduces penalties against Penske, Keselowski and Logano
Next article
Darlington NASCAR: Kurt Busch takes surprise pole for Furniture Row
About this article
| Series | NASCAR |
| Author | Mark Glendenning |
Why a British prospect is trying to make it in NASCAR
There has never been a full-time British driver in the NASCAR Cup. But Alex Sedgwick, who is rising through the stock car ranks, wants that to change and could be a trailblazer for European talents to reach the top echelons of the NASCAR ladder
How Earnhardt’s death changed American motorsport
It's 20 years since legendary driver Dale Earnhardt Sr died at the Daytona 500, but the legacy of his crash continues today through the pioneering safety work done by NASCAR
The NASCAR subplots to keep an eye on in 2021
This weekend's Daytona 500 kickstarts a NASCAR Cup season that promises plenty of intrigue courtesy of new owners and a refreshed calendar. Here's what you need to know ahead of the new season
How a second-chance NASCAR ace is rebuilding his career
From a disgraced NASCAR exile, Kyle Larson has been given a shot at redemption by the powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports squad. Replacing seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson is no easy billing, but Larson has every intention of repaying the team's faith
Autosport's top 5 NASCAR machines
The American stock car scene is more famous for its close racing and occasional punch-ups, but there have been some fantastic machines too. As part of Autosport's 70th anniversary celebrations in 2020, we picked out five of its best
Why NASCAR's latest second-generation champion is just getting started
Chase Elliott's late charge to the 2020 NASCAR Cup title defied predictions that it would be a Kevin Harvick versus Denny Hamlin showdown. While the two veterans are showing no signs of slowing down, Elliott's triumph was a window into NASCAR's future
Why Johnson’s playoff failure won’t tarnish his legacy
The last season of a retiring NASCAR great has shown promise, and may have resulted in another playoff push without small issues outside his control. 2020 won't be the year Jimmie Johnson would have wanted, but it won't be what he is remembered for
Why a Le Mans winner is heading into the “unknown world” of NASCAR
Comparing Porsche's 919 HYBRID LMP1 to NASCAR is motorsport's equivalent of apples and oranges, but this weekend one of Weissach's top works aces will pit his skills against the regulars and revive the tradition of the 'road-course ringer'
