The National Motorsports Appeals Panel panel amended the P2 penalty on Wednesday that was issued to the No. 54 NASCAR XFINITY Series team of Joe Gibbs Racing for failing post-race inspection at Chicagoland Speedway on Sept. 19.
The race-winning No. 54 driven by Kyle Busch at Chicagoland was found to be too low, failing to meet minimum height requirements on all four corners (Sections 12.1, 20.17.3.2.1. b & c, 20.17.3.2.2.b & c, 12.5.3.2.1.f, 12.5.3.2.2.a.b & d of the NASCAR rule book). Crew chief Chris Gayle was fined $12,500 and placed on probation through Dec. 31 2015, while car owner J.D. Gibbs was docked 10 series championship owner points.
With Wednesday’s ruling, these penalties will remain intact except Gayle’s fine, which was dropped to $8,500.
The appeal was heard at the NASCAR Research and Development Center in Concord, North Carolina, where a three-member panel made the final decision. The panel ruled that Busch violated the minimum ride height requirements and the original penalty would be upheld, execept for the adjustment in the fine to the crew chief.
Joe Gibbs Racing can appeal the decision to the National Motorsports Final Appeals Officer, but the organization has not stated if it will appeal the ruling yet.
While the sanctioning body annulled governing ride-height heights for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series prior to the 2014 season, the regulations remain intact for the XFINITY and Camping World Truck Series.
The three-member panel consisted of: Ms. Cathy Rice, Mr. Lake Speed and Mr. Kevin Whitaker.