NASCAR Cup Series

NASCAR penalizes trio of teams for Darlington violations

Published May. 13, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

NASCAR has issued a series of fines and point penalties to teams, including Robby Gordon’s No. 7 Sprint Cup entry.

Gordon’s No. 7 team and Prism Motorsports’ No. 55, with driver Michael McDowell, were each penalized for issues discovered at Darlington Raceway.

Gordon’s team was docked for unapproved additional door braces discovered during opening-day inspection. Crew chief Samuel Stanley has been fined $25,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31. Gordon, both driver and owner of the No. 7 car, has been penalized 25 driver and 25 owner points. That drops him to 35th in the owner points and just 18 points ahead of the team in 36th. Only the top 35 teams in owner points are locked into the field each week.

The No. 55 was penalized for an unapproved final drive gear discovered during post-qualifying inspection. Crew chief Zachary McGowan has been fined $25,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31. McDowell and owner Randy Humphrey have been penalized 25 driver and 25 owner points, respectively.

In addition, the Braun Racing Nationwide Series team was penalized for a Darlington rule violation. The team was penalized for an unapproved left front shock absorber, discovered during post-race inspection. Crew chief Stewart Cooper has been fined $10,000. The team was docked 25 owner points and Kasey Kahne, driving a limited schedule, was penalized 25 driver points.