Weekly NASCAR cheaters report

UPDATE NASCAR fined Billy Ballew Motorsports crew chief Richie Wauters $2,500 for having an unapproved air filter housing, found by NASCAR officials during pre-qualifying inspection Oct. 29 at Talladega. Wauters, crew chief for Aric Almirola, also was put on probation through December. NASCAR also indefinitely suspended Truck Series crew member John Loper Jr. and fined him $2,500 for unauthorized duplication of a NASCAR annual credential. NASCAR did not identify Loper’s team.

Whitney Motorsports will appeal the suspensions issued as part of its penalty for having weight pellets in the lower A-frames of its No. 46 Chevrolet on opening-day inspection last week at Talladega Superspeedway.

The appeal will be heard Tuesday morning, team owner Dusty Whitney said Friday at Texas Motor Speedway.

11/04/10 NASCAR has issued penalties to the #46 team that competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as a result of rule infractions discovered during opening day inspection Oct. 29 at Talladega Superspeedway. The #46 car 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 required rules); and 20-2.3A (unapproved added weight location and unapproved added weight – lower A-frames were filled with weight pellets) of the 2010 NASCAR rule book. Crew chief Thomas Tucker has been fined $50,000 and indefinitely suspended from NASCAR. Car chief Richard Boga and team manager Tony Furr have also been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR. Driver Michael McDowell and car owner Dusty Whitney have been penalized with the loss of 50 championship driver and owner points, respectively. NASCAR PR