Joe Gibbs Racing Nationwide Series Penalties Announced

Well NASCAR has handed down the penalties for Joe Gibbs Racing Nationwide Series teams.

Both the Nos. 18 and 20 cars were found to be in violation of:

• Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 8-9 (competitive analysis -- from time to time, NASCAR may determine, in the interest of competition, that it is necessary or appropriate to undertake an analysis of the performance capabilities of a car, car part, component or equipment. The Competitor shall take whatever steps are requested by NASCAR Officials for this purpose. NASCAR also has the right to seal or impound cars, car parts, components and/or equipment for this purpose);

• Section 12-4-Q (1): (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used that do not conform to NASCAR rules, detailed in Section 20A of the 2008 NASCAR Rule Book, or has not been approved by NASCAR prior to the event, or is not required for the normal functional operation of the race car, or has been altered to detract from or compromise its integrity or effectiveness, whether operational or not);

• Section 12-4-K: (when NASCAR Officials mandate inspection during the Event, if any car, car parts, components, and/or equipment which have been used in the Event are taken from the racing premises without permission of a NASCAR Official, or are tampered with by any member of the team or anyone associated with the team: Magnetic spacer attached under the gas pedal with the intent of compromising the chassis dynamometer test).As a result, NASCAR issued the following penalties:

• Both of the drivers -- Joey Logano of the No. 18 and Tony Stewart of the No. 20 -- have been penalized with the loss of 150 championship driver points and placed on probation until Dec. 31. Joe Gibbs, owner of both of the cars, has likewise been penalized 150 championship owner points for each of those entries.

• Both crew chiefs -- Ratcliff and Rogers -- have been fined $50,000 and indefinitely suspended.

Here is a list of the penalties:

Penalties
Owner Joe Gibbs loss of 150 owner points for Nos. 18 and 20 cars
Driver Joey Logano loss of 150 driver points, probation until Dec. 31
Driver Tony Stewart loss of 150 driver points, probation until Dec. 31
No. 18 crew chief Jason Ratcliff fined $50,000 and indefinitely suspended
No. 20 crew chief Dave Rogers fined $50,000 and indefinitely suspended
No. 18 car chief Dorian Thorsen placed on indefinite suspension
No. 18 engine tuner Michael Johnson placed on indefinite suspension
No. 18 crew member Toby Bigelow placed on indefinite suspension
No. 20 car chief Richard Bray placed on indefinite suspension
No. 20 engine tuner Dan Bajek placed on indefinite suspension
No. 18 team probation until Dec. 31
No. 20 team probation until Dec. 31

Statement by Joe Gibbs:

“First, we want to apologize to NASCAR, all of our partners, all of our families at JGR, and all of our fans for the unfortunate incident that took place this past weekend in Michigan with our two Nationwide teams. A poor decision was made by some key members of our organization, and 100 percent of the blame rests with us.

“In 17 years we have never had any representative of Joe Gibbs Racing knowingly act outside of NASCAR’s rules, and that is something we consider essential to how we operate on a daily basis. What we have determined is that these individuals involved used extremely poor judgment in attempting to alter the results of NASCAR’s dyno test following Saturday’s Nationwide Series race in Michigan. Although in no way was anything done that might have altered the race outcome, these JGR employees attempted to circumvent the NASCAR rule book and that is unacceptable.

“We take full responsibility and accept the penalties NASCAR has levied against us today. We had come to the conclusion that we would add to any NASCAR imposed penalties with the minimum being suspension for the remainder of the season for those involved, including our two Nationwide Series crew chiefs. There will also be an additional monetary fine beyond the amount announced by NASCAR earlier today, which will be the responsibility of those involved.

“We are, however, disappointed that NASCAR chose to place our drivers on probation, as they had no knowledge or involvement of this incident.

“On behalf of everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing, we apologize again for this most unfortunate situation.”

Statements from the 18 and 20 crew chiefs:

Jason Ratcliff, No. 18 Nationwide Series Crew Chief:
“First and foremost, I would like to apologize to the employees and partners of Joe Gibbs Racing. Because of poor decision making, I have failed you as the leader of this team and I am solely responsible for this situation. Secondly, I apologize to the men and women of NASCAR for my dishonesty and interference during a testing event. Going forward, I will work hard to regain the trust and respect that I once had with the fans, NASCAR and everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing, including our drivers, who had no knowledge or involvement in this transgression.”

Dave Rogers, No. 20 Nationwide Series Crew Chief:
“I apologize with great remorse for the actions that I took after the Michigan race last Saturday afternoon. My apology is extended to NASCAR, the NASCAR officials, Joe and J.D. Gibbs, our drivers, all of JGR’s sponsors, and especially to all of the JGR family members that I have misrepresented. Joe and J.D. Gibbs trust me to lead this race team with honesty and integrity. I have failed them and feel great remorse for doing so. I accept the penalties imposed by NASCAR and Joe Gibbs Racing and make no excuses.”

Now how long will it take these teams to regain the integrity and respect that they have spent the past 17 years working to develop. Is the big question now!

http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/headlines/bg/0
8/20/jlogano.tstewart.jgr.penalties/index.html

http://www.joegibbsracing.com/2008/news_nns/08
_august/080820_penalty.php

http://www.joegibbsracing.com/2008/news_nns/08
_august/080820_crewchiefs.php