NASCAR writes up New Hampshire pre-qualifying and pre-race penalties
Five teams, including those of drivers Denny Hamlin (No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing), Clint Bowyer (No. 15 Michael Waltrip Racing) and Paul Menard (No. 27 Richard Childress Racing), received written warnings from NASCAR for an excessive number of trips through the inspection line at New Hampshire Motor Speedway this past weekend.
Such written warnings are handed down for failure to pass either pre-qualifying or pre-race inspection twice during an event and thus requiring a third trip through the inspection line.
The No. 21 of Ryan Blaney (Wood Brothers Racing) and No. 32 of Eddie MacDonald (Go Green Racing) also received written warnings.
The teams of drivers JJ Yeley (No. 23 BK Racing), Reed Sorenson (No. 62 Premium Motorsports) and Timmy Hill (No. 98 Premium Motorsports) failed inspection three times, and will be required to serve a 15-minute loss of practice penalty this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The written warnings are a part of NASCAR’s 2015 Deterrence Policy, which categorizes infractions (Level 1 through Level 6) and the applicable penalties.
Should a team receive two warnings during the same event or during two consecutive events, P1 penalties may include last choice in the pit selection process, a deduction in track time for practice or qualifying, a delay in the order of inspection or selection for post-race inspection.
The penalty may be increased to the P2 level if a team or team member receives six or more warnings during a six-month period (from the time of the first warning).
P2 level penalty options may include the loss of 10 championship driver and owner points and/or a fine not less than $10,000 and not more than $25,000. P2 level infractions also carry the potential for suspensions and probation.