NASCAR penalizes crew members, not drivers after Texas brawl
Jeremy Fuller of Kasey Kahne's No. 5 team, as well as Dwayne Doucette and Jason Ingle of Jeff Gordon's No. 24 team have been fined $25,000 and suspended by NASCAR through the next six Sprint Cup Series points races.
The three crew members were found to be in violation of Section 12-1 (Actions detrimental to stock car racing) and Section 12-4.9 (Behavioral penalty –involved in a post-race physical altercation with a driver on pit road) of the NASCAR rule book.
In addition, Dean Mozingo of Gordon's team has been fined $10,000 and suspended from the next three points-paying Sprint Cup Series races. Mozingo was found in violation of Section 12-1 and Section 12-4.9 of the NASCAR rule book.
Also, Kenny Francis, crew chief of the No. 5 team, and Alan Gustafson, crew chief of the No. 24 team, have been fined $50,000 and placed on probation by the sanctioning body through the next six points-paying Sprint Cup Series events.
The crew chiefs were in violation of Section 9-4A (Crew chief assumes responsibility for the actions of his team members), Section 12-1 and Section 12-4.9 on the NASCAR rule book
"While the intensity and emotions are high as we continue through the final rounds of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, the actions that we saw from several crew members Sunday following the race at Texas are unacceptable," Robin Pemberton, NASCAR senior vice president, competition and racing development said in a release. "We reviewed the content that was available to us of the post-race incident along pit road, and identified several crew members who crossed the line with their actions, specifically punching others."
"We therefore have penalized four crew members as well as their crew chiefs, as they ultimately are responsible for members of their team per the NASCAR rule book," Pemberton continued. "A NASCAR championship is at stake, but we can't allow behavior that crosses the line to go unchecked, particularly when it puts others in harm's way."
Following the announcement, Hendrick Motorsports said it would not appeal the ruling.
"With NASCAR's new Chase format, we're seeing an unprecedented level of intensity every single week," team owner Rick Hendrick said in a team release. "Emotions run high when you're racing for a championship, and that's exciting for our fans and everyone involved with the sport. But there's a line the competitors need to be cognizant of, and we understand that.
"Jeff (Gordon) was rightfully fired up Sunday night, and it just reiterated to me how passionate he is and how much he wants to win. The No. 24 team is a group that works together and is loyal to one another. They have our full support as we go into these final two races."