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NASCAR Cup Series: Chip Ganassi Racing to appeal Kyle Larson’s penalty

By Asher Fair

TALLADEGA, AL - OCTOBER 14: Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Credit One Bank Chevrolet, spins on the backstretch during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 1000Bulbs.com 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 14, 2018 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
TALLADEGA, AL - OCTOBER 14: Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Credit One Bank Chevrolet, spins on the backstretch during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 1000Bulbs.com 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 14, 2018 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) /
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Chip Ganassi Racing are appealing the penalty issued to Kyle Larson following Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway.

Following this past Sunday’s 1000Bulbs.com 500, the second race of the three-race round of 12, which is the second of four rounds of the 10-race 2018 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, Chip Ganassi Racing’s Kyle Larson was issued an L1-level penalty.

Larson finished this 193-lap race around the four-turn, 2.66-mile (4.218-kilometer) Talladega Superspeedway oval in Lincoln, Alabama in 11th place, which put him in 11th out of the 12 drivers remaining in championship contention.

After this race, Larson sat 26 points below the round of 8 cut line with one race, the Hollywood Casino 400, at Kansas Speedway remaining on the round of 12 schedule.

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However, this L1-level penalty, which was issued to Larson and the #42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet team as a result of a violation of Section 10.9.9.d of the NASCAR Rule Book, which pertains to the Damaged Vehicle Policy and mechanical repair, resulted in Chip Ganassi Racing team owner Chip Ganassi losing 10 owner points and Larson losing 10 driver points.

It also resulted in Larson’s crew chief, Chad Johnston, being fined for $25,000, and his car chief, David Bryant, being suspended for the Hollywood Casino 400.

Here is what a NASCAR.com staff report had to say about why Larson was issued this penalty.

"“That rule states that regardless of how damage to a car occurs, the team only is permitted to reattach original body parts of the car to their original locations with fasteners and/or tape only. The No. 42 team reattached parts via metal tabs following an on-track incident.”"

As a result, Larson is now 36 points below the round of 8 cut line, which basically means that if he does not win Sunday’s 267-lap race around the four-turn, 1.5-mile (2.414-kilometer) Kansas Speedway oval in Kansas City, Kansas, he will need everything to go right for him in order to have a chance to advance to the round of 8.

However, Chip Ganassi Racing have appealed Larson’s penalty. Here is what they had to say about the matter, according to NASCAR.com.

"“After reviewing the penalty, the rule and the procedure that we used during the race in Talladega, we feel strongly that we did nothing wrong. Subsequently, we have decided to appeal the penalty. Despite going through the appeal process, we will do everything in our power to keep our team focused on the race this weekend in Kansas and the balance of the season.”"

Chip Ganassi Racing’s appeal is set to be heard this morning at 9:30 p.m. ET at Kansas Speedway by three members of the independent National Motorsports Appeals Panel.

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Will Chip Ganassi Racing’s appeal of Kyle Larson’s 10-point penalty be successful? Regardless, will the 26-year-old Elk Grove, California advance to the round of 8 in this year’s NASCAR Cup Series playoffs? Tune in to NBC at 2:30 p.m. ET this Sunday, October 21 for the live broadcast of the Hollywood Casino 400 from Kansas Speedway to find out.

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