Significant reductions in Kenseth penalties

Joe Gibbs Racing spoke and the National Stockcar Racing Appeals Panel listened. In one of the biggest shifts in penalties ever handed down, Kenseth and Joe Gibbs Racing emerged victorious.

Although some of the penalties still stand following the appeal, which was heard Wednesday, Kenseth and his team saw their position in points standings jump dramatically following the ruling.

The new penalties handed down are as follows:

  • Crew Chief Jason Ratcliff's suspension reduced from seven races to one race (Darlington). Original fine of $200,000 stands. Ratcliff will be on probation for the three points events following Darlington.
  • Points penalties reduced from 50 to 12 for both owner and driver
  • Bonus points for Kansas win will count toward Chase eligibility and will earn Kenseth spot in the 2014 Sprint Unlimited.
  • Joe Gibbs will be able to earn owner points for the No. 20
  • Manufacturer (Toyota) penalty increased from five points to seven. 

As of now the replacement crew chief for the No. 20 has not been announced.

Joe Gibbs said, "We're going to work extremely hard with TRD (Toyota Racing Development) to make sure this never happens again and right now we just wanna get back to racing...We accept the penalties the way they are and we're not going to appeal anything."

NASCAR Spokesman, Kerry Tharp made the following comments after the ruling, "Our sport has a due process system that has served the sport very well for more than 65 years and that due process resulted in this decision here today. While we are disappointed with today's outcome, we stand firmly behind our inspection process. Inspection of engines, engine parts, and pieces, has always been regarded as the Holy Grail throughout the industry - that along with fuel and tires."

Significant reductions in Kenseth penalties Significant reductions in Kenseth penalties Reviewed by Katy Lindamood on Wednesday, May 08, 2013 Rating: 5