DEI to appeal penalty from infractions prior to Daytona

JOLIET, Ill. -- Dale Earnhardt Inc. is appealing penalties, fines and suspensions that were levied by NASCAR on Tuesday on the No. 1 team that competes in the Sprint Cup Series.

The car driven by Martin Truex Jr., was alleged to be in violation of Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used do not conform to NASCAR rules); and 20-3.8-A (roof of the car does not conform to the specifications) of the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rule book.

Truex was docked 150 driver points, and DEI lost 150 owner points. Crew chief Kevin Manion and the car chief, Gary Putnam, were suspended from the next six Sprint Cup Series events, and placed on probation until Dec. 31. Additionally, Manion was fined $100,000.

The alleged infractions were discovered July 3 during opening day inspection prior to the Coke Zero 400 that was run at Daytona International Speedway last Saturday night.

"We are still trying to understand how the car fit our templates multiple times at the shop, but we respect NASCAR's determination that one of our cars did not exactly conform to their template at the track," John Story, DEI vice president of motorsports operations, said in a statement at the time the penalties, fines and suspensions were announced.

Story added at that time that he wasn't certain if DEI would appeal or not, but NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said Thursday that the National Stock Car Racing Commission now set a date for Monday, July 24, to listen to DEI's appeal.

Manion and Putnam will be allowed to travel with the team and perform normal duties at the track until the appeal date.