NASCAR penalizes two Nationwide teams

NASCAR remained consistent in its penalties for the Nationwide Series this season as it announced Tuesday that it had docked points for a car that was too low in post race inspection while it opted for just a fine for a car that had an illegal front bumper cover.

The penalties were for infractions committed last week at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The Rick Ware Racing car of Timmy Hill was too low in the front in post race inspection Saturday. Hill, who finished 19th in the race, was docked six points, his team was docked six points in the owner standings and crew chief George Church was fined $10,000. It was the same penalty issued to Elliott Sadler for being too low a week earlier at Iowa.

Hill, who has missed four races this year, will remain 22nd in the standings even with the six-point penalty.

In opening-day inspection Thursday, the Richard Petty Motorsports car of Michael Annett had an illegal upper front bumper cover. NASCAR confiscated the bumper cover and the team replaced it before practice began Thursday.

Crew chief Philippe Lopez was fined $10,000, and Lopez and car chief Michael Wright were placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31. Those penalties were the same as the ones issued earlier this year to eight other teams.