W. Burton loses 25 points for illegal springs

CONCORD, N.C. -- NASCAR Winston Cup Series team owner Bill Davis, driver Ward Burton of his No. 22 Dodge and the crew chief Frank Stoddard were penalized by NASCAR on Tuesday.

	Ward Burton Credit: Autostock

The penalty was the result of a post-race inspection that found unapproved front springs on the car. The coil winding of the front springs was not evenly spaced and did not meet the standards set forth in the rule book.

Davis was penalized 25 owner points, Burton was penalized 25 driver points and Stoddard was fined $10,000. Because of the penalties, Davis will drop one position in the owners standings to 27th place.

Burton started fourth and finished fifth in the Old Dominion 500 at Martinsville Speedway last weekend. With that finish, he had moved up two positions to 24th in points. However, after the penalty he now drops back to 25th.