Commission opts to uphold penalties against No. 0 car

The National Stock Car Racing Commission on Wednesday heard and considered the appeal of JD Motorsports regarding the No. 0 car. The appeal concerned three penalties issued by NASCAR following post-qualifying inspection on Feb. 15 for the Nationwide Series event at Daytona.

The infractions concerned Section 12-4-A of the NASCAR Rule Book "Actions detrimental to stock car racing"; Section 12-4-Q "Any determination by NASCAR Officials that the car, car parts, components, and/or equipment used in the Event do not conform to NASCAR rules" and Section 20A-8.4C: "The oil reservoir tank cover was not fastened securely."

Davis

The penalties assessed were:

• Loss of 25 NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship Car Owner Points for car owner Johnny Davis.

• Loss of 25 NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship Driver Points for driver Kertus Davis.

• $15,000.00 fine; suspension from NASCAR for the next six (6) NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship Events; suspension from NASCAR until April 9 (not including testing), and probation until Dec. 31 for crew chief Gene Allnutt.

The Appellants argued that the missing bolt at the corner of the cover was inadvertent; that it did not constitute a performance advantage; that the penalties were too severe for the infraction; and that the disallowance of their qualifying time at Daytona should factor into the subsequent penalties.

In deliberating, the Commission considered several factors including Section 20A-2.1L concerning the passage of air into or out of the car. In this case, the movement of the cover resulting from the missing bolt was evident.

Therefore, it is the unanimous decision of the National Stock Car Racing Commission to uphold the original penalties assessed by NASCAR.

The Commission notes that crew chief, Gene Allnutt, began serving his suspension last week, so the adjusted penalty notice to correct for the deferral will reflect this.

The Appellants have the right under Section 15 of the Rule Book to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Commissioner.

Related:
• NSCRC upholds penalties levied against No. 14
• Commission rescinds penalty against No. 64
• Moore suspension reduced but No. 1 penalties stand
• Commission reduces fine against No. 77 crew chief