Vickers and his team heavily penalised
Brian Vickers and his No. 83 team have been subject of heavy fines and penalties after officials found their car's body parts did not meet the rules, following an inspection at NASCAR's Technical Center after Sunday's race at Martinsville
Officials found the exterior sheet metal body parts did not meet the specified minimum thickness according to the NASCAR Sprint Cup rulebook. This allowed the team to reduce the weight of each part, thus reducing the overall weight of the car.
The team's crew chief Kevin Hamlin and car chief Craig Smokstad have thus been suspended indefinitely by NASCAR, and Hamlin has been additionally fined US $100,000.
Brian Vickers has been also docked 150 points in the drivers' championship, which drops him two spots in the points from 15th place down to 17th. Car owner Dietrich Mateschitz was also docked 150 owner points.
The team issued a statement accepting the penalties and has already nominated Research and Development Manager Randy Cox as Hamlin's replacement for next weekend's race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
"As a team we accept full responsibility for the infractions regarding the #83's Martinsville car and will not appeal NASCAR's ruling," said Frye. "This approach to racing is against the values of the Red Bull Racing Team, and the necessary steps will be taken to rectify the situation ensuring it does not happen again.
"It is a privilege to race in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and we are taking this penalty seriously. R&D Manager Randy Cox will assume the duties of interim Crew Chief on the #83 in Atlanta."
Vickers finished eleventh last Sunday at Martinsville Speedway.
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