We’ve all heard the old saying when someone doesn’t receive a severe enough penalty “They just got a slap on the wrist” right? Well, NASCAR just straight up took the boot out and stomped on Hendrick Motorsports’ figurative hand. A total of five teams had the hood louvers from each car seized after inspection by NASCAR officials at Phoenix. Which also included the number thirty-one Kaulig racing car as well as the four Hendrick Motorsports cars. This announcement was coming it was just a matter of time as to when so let’s go over the penalties.
The Dirty Details
Some pockets and wallets are going to be crying a tiny bit. Each crew chief was fined $100,000 and suspended for the next four races. Now each team was fined one hundred team and driver points as well ten playoff points. With the exception of the number nine team due to Chase’s injury. NASCAR classified the unapproved modified part as an L-2 Penalty. This is a term fans are starting to hear more and more.
Since the introduction of next-gen cars, penalties like this aren’t uncommon. We saw the RFK Racing number six team and the thirty-four team get similar penalties last year. Now what it boils down to is this though. NASCAR introduced this generation of cars to “even” the playing field in certain ways. They do that by providing a single source from which you get the parts. Which means modifying anything is going to be a big no-no. Especially without approval, sometimes asking for forgiveness instead of permission can bite you.
So, you get it now Hendrick Motorsports did something they shouldn’t have and got caught and now suffer the consequences of their own actions. Oh well, those louvers didn’t keep them from dominating Phoenix pretty much all race long. Where to go from here though is the question a lot of fans have now right?
Hendrick Motorsports Moving Forward
Listen, before this penalty Hendrick Motorsports had three out of four teams in the top five of the points standings so the loss of the one hundred driver points and playoff points definitely will be felt. However, I think that’s the biggest long-lasting effect on the team itself. Especially with how as of late the playoff eliminations have been coming down to single digit points.
Ten years ago I probably would’ve leaned more toward the loss of crew chiefs. However, with the way we communicate due to technology, those guys will be there without being there. The biggest places those losses will probably be felt are in two weeks at COTA, and in four weeks at the Bristol Dirt Race. At those tracks, it will fall more into how the team can adjust on the fly and make audibles during the race at the track. You could see an impact then but at the same time, it’s Hendrick Motorsports. Everyone in that shop is very well qualified for what they do or they wouldn’t be doing it for Mr. Hendrick.
Plus, each of the crew chiefs will be in their respective team “Command central’s” back in North Carolina. I know not the same but still helps them to see everything the on-track staff is seeing.
Either way, it’s still early this season, and they have plenty of time to recover. I for one as a fan love that NASCAR stayed true to previous rulings and sent out a similar punishment. It shows you that even the elite teams are going to be punished fairly. Now of course Hendrick has already announced they will appeal NASCAR’s decision but if this all holds up and I suspect it might. We will see implications way down the line this season.
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