Richard Childress Racing (RCR) lost its final appeal Wednesday. The original infraction concerned the team manipulating tires on the Chevy raced by RCR driver Ryan Newman in March. NASCAR issued historic penalties on March 31 after finding altered tires used in a race March 22 in Fontana, California.
Newman was docked 75 driver points and car owner Richard Childress 75 owner points. Luke Lambert, crew chief for Newman, was fined $125,000 and suspended from the next six Cup races plus any non-points races during that span. He’s was also placed on probation through December 31/. In addition, James Bender, the team’s tire technician, and Philip Surgen, a team engineer, were suspended from the next six races, including any non-points events during that time and placed on probation through December 31.
RCR appealed the original penalties to a three-member panel. That panel reduced the fine and deduction of points, but upheld the suspensions. The team sent an interim crew chief to the race at Bristol Motor Speedway in place of Lambert. However, on the Friday prior to qualifying, RCR decided to make their final appeal, and Lambert worked Bristol, Richmond and Talladega as the team waited Wednesday’s hearing. MORE>>>
Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.
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