On Wednesday afternoon, NASCAR announced that driver Matt Kenseth and team owner Joe Gibbs were penalized for post-race violations following his victory on Sunday at Kansas. Â NASCAR took Kenseth’s winning car back to its R&D Center, as is protocol each week following the race victory.
It was found that the engine in Kenseth’s No. 20 Toyota had parts that were in violation of NASCAR rules.
NASCAR found that one of the connecting rods in the engine did not meet the 525 gram weight requirement. Â It was approximately three grams lighter than rules require. Â NASCAR has since assessed the following penalties to Kenseth and team:
- Matt Kenseth has lost 50 driver points towards the championship. Â Kenseth also loses the Coors Light Pole Award he won at Kansas and loses eligibility towards the 2014 Sprint Unlimited (If he wins another pole this season it could change). Â His win as well will not be included in the accumulated points towards seeding for the 2013 Chase for the Sprint Cup, nor will it be included toward eligibility for a Wild Card position.
- Team owner Joe Gibbs has lost 50 owner’s points towards the championship. Â The bonus points penalties are the same as Kenseth’s listed above. Â Gibbs has also had his owner’s license for the No. 20 Toyota of Kenseth suspended for the next six points events, and will not be eligible to earn owner’s points during that period. Â Gibbs may still be listed a the owner for teammates Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin.
- Crew chief for Kenseth, Jason Ratcliff, has been fined $200,000 and has been suspended for the next six championship points events. Â This time period includes the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. Â He has also been put on probation until December 31.
Joe Gibbs Racing has stated they will appeal the penalties.
