NASCAR penalizes No. 18 team for Pocono issues

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR has penalized the No. 18 team in the Sprint Cup Series as a result of rule infractions discovered during post-race inspection Sunday at Pocono Raceway.

The No. 18 car was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-J (any determination by NASCAR officials that race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules); and 20-12.8.1B (body height requirements -- car failed to meet the minimum front car heights) of the 2011 NASCAR rule book.

As a result, crew chief Dave Rogers has been fined $25,000, while owner Joe Gibbs and driver Kyle Busch have been penalized with the loss of six championship owner and six championship driver points, respectively.

Joe Gibbs Racing released a statement Monday afternoon: "We brought the No. 18 car back to our race shop and have identified the problem which caused us to measure low during the post-race inspection process in Pocono [Sunday] afternoon. We have made NASCAR aware of our findings and we accept the penalty they have issued today."

Related:
Press Pass: Kyle Busch
Kyle Busch fails post-race inspection
Busch's car fails post-race inspection at Pocono