Fines, suspensions handed down by NASCAR

Big fines and unprecedented penalties were handed down Tuesday by NASCAR after four teams for rules violations discovered before and after qualifying. Four crew chiefs were suspended and their teams were fined a total of $150,000, 150 driver points and 150 car owner points.

Robbie Reiser, crew chief of the Roush Racing No. 17 driven by Matt Kenseth, and Kenny Francis, team director of the Evernham Motorsports No. 9 Dodge driven by Kasey Kahne, were each suspended for four races and fined $50,000. In addition, their drivers and teams were docked 50 driver and owner points, making it the first time NASCAR has deducted points before a season began.

Josh Browne, team director for Elliott Sadler, driver of the No. 19 Evernham Motorsports Dodge, and Rodney Childers, team director for the No. 10 Dodge driven by Scott Riggs, were fined $25,000 each and suspended for two races. Sadler and Riggs were each docked 25 driver points and their teams lost 25 car owner points as well.

NASCAR officials said that both the No. 17 and the No. 9 infractions involved "air improperly ducted into the car.” The infractions were discovered in post-qualifying inspections. While Kenseth qualified 11th and Kahne 28th, those times were disallowed. Kenseth will start 29th and Kahne 30th in the second race of the Gatorade Duels on Thursday.

The rules infractions on the No. 19 and No. 10 were discovered during pre-qualifying inspection, so these cars will be allowed to keep their qualifying positions. Sadler will start 10th and Riggs will start 22nd in the second of the Gatorade Duels.

All four teams finished last season in the top 35 in owner points and are guaranteed a starting spot in the Dayton 500.

NASCAR officials have not determined whether or not there were any rules violations by the Michael Waltrip No. 55 Toyota, despite confiscating the manifold and impounding the car after qualifying on Sunday.

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