Gordon crew members feel penalties' pain

Four Hendrick Motorsports crewmembers were suspended earlier this week for their roles in a post-race fight following the AAA Texas 500 Sunday evening at Texas Motor Speedway. Three of the four -- Dwayne Doucette (mechanic), Jason Ingle (engine tuner) and Dean Mozingo (truck driver) -- work with Gustafson and the No. 24 team. Jeremy Fuller (tire changer) works with the No. 5 team of teammate Kasey Kahne.

Doucette, Ingle and Fuller were each fined $25,000 and suspended through the next six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points races. Mozingo was fined $10,000 and suspended through the next three Sprint Cup points races.

Because only two races remain for the 2014 season, the suspensions will carry over into 2015.

Gustafson and Kenny Francis, crew chief for the No. 5 team of Kahne, were fined $50,000 and placed on probation for the next six points races.

Mechanic Kevin Hulsten has stepped in for Doucette while Billy Davis will handle engine-tuning duties previously done by Ingle. Heath Edler is one of two transporter drivers for the No. 24 team and will continue in that role.

For the No. 5 team, officials said Johnny Roberts, who served in the same capacity in 2013 with the group, has replaced Fuller as rear-tire changer.

"In the grand scheme of things, do we have the ability to backfill for them?" Gustafson said. "We do. But I think their personal stake in this is lost and I think that's sad."

Hulston and Davis worked with the No. 5 team when Gustafson was crew chief for that team.

"I heard the phrase 'they're not over the wall guys' but these cars have to perform at a really high level," Gustafson said. "If you don't have the right people doing that work you're going to be in trouble.

"I think we have the right people. There are always some growing pains, some communication issues that go on when you change. When you work together week-in and week-out you can generate natural communication."

The Texas brawl was the result of contact between Gordon and Brad Keselowski on the first of two attempts at a green-white-checkered finish.

A cut tire sent Gordon to the pits, and instead of battling for the win and a guaranteed spot in next week's Championship Round of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the four-time champion finished 29th and enters this week's race fourth in points.

After the race, Gordon pulled onto pit road, stopping his car alongside Keselowski's No. 2 Ford. Following an exchange of words, Gordon grabbed the Team Penske driver by the collar and crewmen quickly jumped into the fray.

NASCAR's Robin Pemberton, senior vice president, competition and racing development, said officials reviewed video of the altercation "and identified several crewmembers who crossed the line with their actions, specifically punching others."

Heading into Sunday's Quicken Loans 500 (ESPN, 3 p.m. ET) and looking to Homestead, Gustafson said he's confident his team can continue to perform at a championship level.

"I think we've been the best car on the track the majority of the season; I think we've been the best car on the track the last few weeks," he said.

"I can't do anything about getting run over or cutting down a tire. All I can do is put the best car I can on the track and I think our performance speaks for itself when it comes to that."


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