Slugger Labbe is in his first season as Dale Jarrett's crew chief. Credit: Autostock

RYR to appeal penalties levied against 88 team

Jarrett, Yates docked points; Labbe fined, suspended for violation

Robert Yates Racing is appealing penalties NASCAR on Tuesday handed to Dale Jarrett's team for violations discovered prior to Saturday night's Nextel Cup race at Richmond International Raceway.

Crew chief Richard "Slugger'' Labbe was suspended through June 7 -- three points races and the all-star race -- and fined $25,000 for using an unapproved rear sway bar mounting that was discovered during pre-race inspection.

Robert Yates has taken a hard stance against cheating. Credit: Autostock

Jarrett was penalized 25 points, dropping him from 11th to 12th in the standings, 380 points behind leader Jimmie Johnson. Car owner Robert Yates also was penalized 25 championship points.

A spokesperson at RYR said Labbe will be at Darlington Raceway this weekend and remain with the team until the appeal is heard, likely next week.

Yates, in a statement released by the team, said whether the modification was a blatant attempt to break the rules is a matter of interpretation.

"Obviously, in this case, we interpreted the rules differently from NASCAR,'' Yates said. "But because of the lack of a clear-cut understanding on our part, we believe we have grounds for appeal and have started that process.''

Inside the Numbers Revised Point Standings (Chase eligible drivers only) Pos. Driver Pts. Behind 1. J. Johnson 1,521 -- 2. T. Stewart 1,466 -55 3. M. Kenseth 1,422 -99 4. M. Martin 1,345 -176 5. K. Harvick 1,313 -208 6. Earnhardt Jr. 1,305 -216 7. K. Kahne 1,274 -247 8. Ky. Busch 1,237 -284 9. J. Gordon 1,216 -305 10. C. Mears 1,168 -353 11. J. Burton 1,157 -364 12. D. Jarrett 1,141 -380 • Complete Driver Points, click here • Revised Owner Points, click here

Eddie D'Hondt, the general manager at RYR, said the organization was surprised by the severity of the penalties.

"Obviously, if our interpretation is wrong, we did wrong,'' he said. "Like most, we're pressing the envelope to the highest degree to get the best performance. We pushed reading the rules to the edge.

"If that's the case [and we went beyond the edge], we've got to deal with the ramifications. But we are going to appeal it. There are things we would like to discuss with the Commission.''

D'Hondt was referring to the National Stock Car Racing Commission that hears all appeals. He would not comment on what the organization wants to discuss.

"Obviously, it's a sensitive issue,'' he said.

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Yates took a hard stand against cheating before the Daytona 500 in February when Chad Knaus was ejected from that race and later suspended for a month for rigging a device that raised the level of the rear window in Jimmie Johnson's car.

Yates said any employee of his found intentionally cheating without his knowledge would be fired.

"If it was [an infraction] with a clear written rule against it, and he didn't tell me about it, because I wouldn't approve that, I'd have fired him, yes,'' Yates said.

Yates also suggested those that intentionally cheat should be banned from NASCAR, "outta here, outta here from now on.''

Yates was not available for comment on Labbe's status with his organization should he lose the appeal.