Three Nextel Cup crew chiefs facing fines

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR announced Tuesday that fines have been issued to three Nextel Cup Series crew chiefs resulting from rule violations this past weekend at California Speedway.

Tim Weiss, crew chief of the No. 73 Chevrolet driven by Eric McClure, was fined $10,000 for violating Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 12-4-CC (unapproved third gear transmission ratio) of the Nextel Cup Series rule book.

Larry Hyder, crew chief of the No. 49 Dodge driven by Ken Schrader, was fined $5,000 in violation of Sections 12-4-A and 12-4-CC (unapproved final drive gear ratio).

Billy Poindexter, crew chief of the No. 37 Dodge of Kevin Lepage, was fined twice. Poindexter was fined $5,000 for violating Sections 12-4-A and 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used that do not conform to NASCAR rules) for an unapproved deck lid. He also was fined $1,000 for violating Sections 12-4-A and 12-4-Q for an unapproved fire suppression agent.

All violations were found during opening-day inspection on Feb. 25.