From Second to the Bottom

Clint Bowyer, left, and crew chief Shane Wilson hug after Bowyer's
victory at New Hampshire on Sunday. (Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Just a couple of days ago we were calling Clint Bowyer the comeback kid, but today he’s the guy everyone wants answers from. Conspiracy theorists are calling this NASCAR’s way of helping Jimmie Johnson to a fifth consecutive championship while members of the media are left wondering what’s really going on. Regardless of what happened and how it’s being perceived one thing is for sure. Clint Bowyer just went from second to 12th in the points in a matter of minutes.

It was revealed on Wednesday that Bowyer’s car, which he won with this past weekend at New Hampshire, failed post-race inspection. If you remember last week, Bowyer and his team were warned about their car from Richmond being very close to the edge of what is allowed. While no penalties were given out after the close call, the team wasn’t as lucky this week.

Below is the release issued by NASCAR regarding the fines, suspensions and points deductions for the #33 RCR team.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Sept. 22, 2010) – NASCAR has issued penalties, suspensions and fines to two teams in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, as a result of rules infractions discovered this week during post-race inspection at the NASCAR Research and Development Center following last Sunday’s race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. 

The No. 33 team was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-J (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules); and 20-3 (car body location specifications in reference to the certified chassis did not meet NASCAR-approved specifications) of the 2010 NASCAR Rule Book.

As a result, crew chief Shane Wilson has been fined $150,000, suspended from the next six NASCAR Sprint Cup events, suspended from NASCAR until Nov. 3 and placed on probation until Dec. 31. Car chief Chad Haney has also been suspended from the next six NASCAR Sprint Cup events, suspended from NASCAR until Nov. 3 and placed on probation until Dec. 31. Driver Clint Bowyer and owner Richard Childress have been penalized with the loss of 150 championship driver and owner points, respectively.

The No. 46 team was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1, 12-4-J, and 20-5.8.4.C (engine exhaust valves did not meet the minimum weight requirement) of the 2010 NASCAR Rule Book.

Crew chief Jeremy Lafaver has been fined $50,000, suspended from the next six NASCAR Sprint Cup events, suspended from NASCAR until Nov. 3 and placed on probation until Dec. 31. Driver Michael McDowell and owner Dusty Whitney have been penalized with the loss of 50 championship driver and owner points, respectively.


Readers, what do you think about the penalties? Skirts and Scuffs would like to know. Please leave your comments below.