Crew chief Bumgarner fined for Kansas violation

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Mike Bumgarner, crew chief for the No. 5 Chevrolet driven by Kyle Busch in the Busch Series, has been fined $10,000 for an infraction committed at Kansas Speedway.

Bumgarner was found in violation of Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-Q (car, car parts and/or equipment used in the event not conforming to NASCAR rules); and 20A-5.9D (4) (unapproved intake manifold modifications to the plenum area) of the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series rule book.

The violation was found during post-race inspection on Sept. 29 and was confirmed during an additional inspection at the NASCAR Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C., on Tuesday.

In a statement released Wednesday, team owner Rick Hendrick said he plans to appeal the penalty.

"To say we're confused about this situation would be an understatement," Hendrick said of NASCAR's decision. "The intake manifold that the team used was legal and we look forward to presenting the facts to the National Stock Car Racing Commission."