A Fine Day Indeed

Today NASCAR announced that penalties & fines have been issued among 6 Busch Series teams as a result of rule violations at Daytona International Speedway.

Shane Wilson, crew chief for the No. 21 Chevrolet driven by Kevin Harvick, was fined $15,000 & suspended from NASCAR for the next 6 events starting with the July 8th race at Chicagoland Speedway for violating Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing) & 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components &/or equipment used that do not conform to NASCAR rules; Section 20A-2.1E: unapproved modifications in trunk area to enhance aerodynamic performance; Section 20A-3.9F: deck lid must retain stock shape & contours; lower read edge bent to allow air to escape & Section 20A-16.3G: shock absorber access doors missing). These violations were discovered during post-qualifying inspection on June 30th. In addition, Harvick will lose 50 Busch Series driver points & team owner Richard Childress will forfeit 50 Busch Series owner points.

Gene Nead, crew chief for the No. 77 Chevrolet driven by Burney Lamar, was fined $15,000 & suspended from the next 6 events starting with the Chicago race for violating Sections 12-4-A & 12-4-Q (Section 20A-12.3J: unapproved shock absorber components; base valves are not permitted). The infraction was found during post-race inspection on June 30th. As a result, Lamar will lose 50 Busch Series driver points while team owner DeLana Harvick was penalized with the loss of 50 Busch Series owner points.

Four other crew chiefs were also fined due to violations at Daytona. Mark Durgin, crew chief of the No. 43 Chevrolet driven by P.J. Jones & Dave Fuge Jr., crew chief for the No. 34 driven by Paul Tracy, were each fined $5,000 for violating 12-4-A & 12-4-Q. During pre-qualifying inspection on June 30th, the No. 43 was found to have unapproved modification to the approved air filter housing while the No. 34 was discovered to have unapproved air directional devices inside the air filter housing.

Rick Gay, crew chief for the No. 10 Ford driven by John Andretti, was fined $2,500 violation of Sections 12-4-A & 12-4-Q (Section 20A-2.1E: vent near the "A" post modified to enhance aerodynamic performance) & Marc Reno, crew chief for the No 1. Dodge driven by Mike Wallace, was fined $2,000 for violating 12-4-A & 12-4-Q (Section 20A-16.4.2A: fuel cell vent tube exceeded the max. use). The No. 10 violation was discovered during pre-qualifying inspection while the No. 1 violation was found during opening day inspection on June 28th.