Nov 2, 2014; Fort Worth, TX, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski (2) and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jeff Gordon (24) during the AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
NASCAR announced penalties on Tuesday for crew members and crew chiefs of the No. 5 and No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams as a result of the post-race debacle after Sunday’s AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway near Fort Worth. No member of Team Penske nor drivers involved — Jeff Gordon, Brad Keselowski and Kevin Harvick — were penalized.
A large brawl broke out on pit road involving several crew members, Keselowski, Gordon and Harvick after the race on Sunday, resulting from on-track contact between Keselowski and Gordon late in the race.
"“While the intensity and emotions are high as we continue through the final rounds of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, the actions that we saw from several crew members Sunday following the race at Texas are unacceptable,” NASCAR Senior Vice President of Competition and Racing Development Robin Pemberton said. “We reviewed the content that was available to us of the post-race incident along pit road and identified several crew members who crossed the line with their actions, specifically punching others.“We, therefore, have penalized four crew members, as well as their crew chiefs, as they ultimately are responsible for members of their team per the NASCAR rule book. A NASCAR championship is at stake, but we can’t allow behavior that crosses the line to go unchecked, particularly when it puts others in harm’s way.”"
Jeremy Fuller, a crew member of the No. 5 team and Dwayne Doucette and Jason Ingle of the No. 24 team were each fined $25,000 and suspended from NASCAR competition for the next six Sprint Cup Series points-paying races. That means the suspensions will carry over through the first four points races of the 2015 season.
Also, Dean Mozingo, a No. 24 team member, was fined $10,000 and suspended for three Sprint Cup points races. That suspension will carry through the conclusion of the 2015 Daytona 500.
For each of the aforementioned penalties, NASCAR cited violations of section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and section 12-4.9 (behavioral penalty — involved ina post-race physical altercation with another crew member on pit road) of the 2014 NASCAR rule book.
Kenny Francis, crew chief on the No. 5 team, and No. 24 crew chief Alan Gustafson were also penalized, as crew chiefs are held accountable for the actions of their teams. Each were fined $50,000 and placed on probation for the next six Sprint Cup points-paying races.
In announcing the crew chief penalties, NACAR cited sections 12-1, 12-4.9 and 9-4 (crew chief assumes responsibility for the actions of his team members).
Hendrick Motorsport released a statement on Tuesday saying that the organization will not appeal the penalties.
"“With NASCAR’s new Chase format, we’re seeing an uprecedented level of intensity every single week,” HMS owner Rick Hendrick said. “Emotions run high when you’re racing for a championship, and that’s exciting for our fans and everyone involved with the sport. But there’s a line the competitors need to be cognizant of, and we understand that.“Jeff was rightfully fired up Sunday night, and it just reiterated to me how passionate he is and how much he wants to win. The No. 24 team is a group that works together and is loyal to one another. They have our full support as we go into these final two races.”"
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