Hendrick Motorsports, possibly the most popular racing team NASCAR has, got its hands crushed in a March investigation. The association found illegal modifications to their car’s hood louvers shortly after the Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway. Essentially, these hood louvers move air out of the car from the radiator to separate the aerodynamics from engine performance. This was done basically to counter teams taping off air intake.
The initial penalties after being caught with these illegal mods were as followed; the loss of 100 championship owner points and 10 playoff points to the Nos. 5, 9, 24, and 48; the loss of 100 championship driver points and 10 Playoff points to Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Alex Bowman; and a $100,000 fine and four-race suspension to each crew chief of the cars named previously. The #31 team for Kaulig Racing Justin Haley was also slapped with the same penalty, and they too have appealed the punishments.
The Result
Today, Hendrick Motorsports had their appeal heard by NASCAR’s appointed appeal panel to get the fines and points penalties reduced or even rescinded. Well, it turns out that Hendrick’s appeal was successful. Although the fines and suspensions were kept, all points penalties were rescinded and rewarded back to Larson, Byron, and Bowman.
NEWS: Appeals Panel RESTORES all of Hendrick Motorsports’ points from its penalty. Keeps the suspensions and fines.
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) March 29, 2023
Appeals Panel *agreed* Hendrick violated the rules, but still reduced the penalty anyway.
So, why is this controversial? Well, last year the #6 team with Brad Keselowski and Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing was hit with the same penalty. They broke a similar rule having to do with illegal modifications. With a $100k fine, crew chief Matt McCall was suspended for four races. Plus Keselowski and RFK Racing were docked 100 driver and owner points. The penalty dropped Keselowski out of a playoff spot, and all the way to 35th in the standings. RFK appealed but was unsuccessful and the penalties remained.
NEWS: Penalties against RFK Racing No. 6 team stand after appeal hearing.
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 7, 2022
NASCAR has something to answer with this discrepancy. Does it just not apply to Hendrick Motorsports? How will the appeal of Haley and Kaulig go next week? There was a precedent set last year that wasn’t met with this decision. No matter how you feel about this, this is inconsistent with the way the appeals have gone in history.
Where we stand today
After the appeal, the racers now rank as followed; #48 Alex Bowman in first with 226, #24 William Byron in third with 197, and #5 Kyle Larson in ninth with 170. #9 Chase Elliott remains unchanged as he was not docked any points. He’s missed every race since before Phoenix due to a broken leg suffered in a skiing accident.
We’ll see shortly I’m sure how they handle the appeal of Haley, which was for the same exact penalty at the same exact track. But Hendrick Motorsports gets a slap on the wrist this go around, and NASCAR and their appeal processes may have plenty to answer in the coming weeks.
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