Weekly NASCAR cheaters report

UPDATE RAB Racing says the National Stock Car Racing Commission will hear its appeal of the penalty NASCAR handed the Nationwide Series team for rule violations at Daytona International Speedway.

The team and driver John Wes Townley were penalized 100 points each and former crew chief Blake Bainbridge was fined $15,000 for having a roll bar that did not meet NASCAR’s specifications.

The team said in a news release that a hearing date had yet to be scheduled but was expected to take place next week.

“I’m grateful to NASCAR for having a process in place for this type of instance," RAB Racing General Manager Robby Benton said. “They’ve been very helpful, and we look forward to the opportunity to present the facts of our particular case to the commission so that the penalty may be reconsidered."

02/25/09 Two NASCAR Nationwide Series crew chiefs were penalized for rules violations discovered last weekend at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.

Brad Hicks, crew chief for JD Motorsports’ No. 01 Chevrolet driven by Danny O’Quinn, and Corrie Stott, crew chief for Stott Classic Racing’s No. 02 Chevrolet driven by Andy Ponstein, were each fined $2,000 for the same violation: Having a hollow jacking bolt instead of a solid magnetic steel bolt.

The infractions were discovered Feb. 21 during pre-qualifying inspection for the Stater Bros. 300.