Appeals Panel Denies RCR Penalty Appeal

On Friday the National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel heard and considered the appeal of the No. 2 Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series team. The penalties concern Section 12-1: Actions detrimental to stock car racing. Involved in an altercation with another competitor after the race had concluded.

The penalties stemmed from a post-race incident following the April 26 race at Richmond Int’l Raceway.

The original penalties assessed to the No. 2 team were:

– Crew members Thomas Costello and Michael Scearce were both fined $15,000 and suspended from NASCAR until the completion of the next four NASCAR Nationwide Series events. They were also both placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31. The Appellants appealed all penalties listed above. The Appellants also requested and were granted a deferral of the suspensions until such time as the hearing could be convened.

Upon hearing the testimony and carefully reviewing the facts, it was a unanimous decision by the National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel to uphold the original penalties assessed by NASCAR. The suspensions of the two crew members in question will take effect beginning with the May 31 event at Dover (Del.) Int’l Speedway.

The Appellants have the right under Section 15 of the rule book to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Chief Appellate Officer.