No. 18 team penalized for New Hampshire infraction

NASCAR has issued penalties to the No. 18 team that competes in the Sprint Cup Series as a result of a rule infraction found this past Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Addington

The No. 18 car was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-I (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules); and 20-12.8 1B (the height of the car at the left front fender did not meet the required specification; too low in post-race inspection) of the 2009 NASCAR rule book.

Crew chief Steve Addington has been fined $25,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31. Driver Kyle Busch and car owner Joe Gibbs have been penalized 25 championship driver and 25 championship owner points, respectively.

In post-race inspection, NASCAR discovered a ride height violation on the No. 18 Toyota of Busch, who finished fifth in Sunday's Sylvania 300. The car measured below tolerances on the left front, according to NASCAR spokesperson Ramsey Poston.

Joe Gibbs Racing released the following statement:

"The situation was caused when the left-front spring became dislodged. This resulted in the left-front corner of the car to be lower and resulted in a change to the car's handling which had to be compensated for during the race. Consequently, the car measured low during post-race inspection," the statement read. "We accept NASCAR's ruling on the issue."