CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR’s latest attempt to reel in the rule-breakers aimed at an unfamiliar target: the normally squeaky-clean Joe Gibbs Racing.
NASCAR’s decision Wednesday to suspend seven JGR crew members indefinitely for attempting to manipulate a horsepower test after a Nationwide Series race last weekend put a serious dent in owner Joe Gibbs’ reputation. While NASCAR decided against banning the cars from future races, the penalties were among the harshest NASCAR has levied.
• Crew chiefs Jason Ratcliff and Dave Rogers were suspended and fined $50,000 each.
• No. 18 car chief Dorian Thorsen, engine tuner Michael Johnson and crew member Toby Bigelow and No. 20 car chief Richard Bray and engine tuner Dan Bajek all were suspended indefinitely.
• Drivers Tony Stewart and Joey Logano were docked 150 driver points. JGR was stripped of 150 owner points for each car, and the teams were placed on probation for the rest of the season.
“In this particular case, the rule violation was serious and was attempting to interfere with our ability to conduct an accurate postrace competitive analysis,” NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said. “It called for a serious reaction on our part and we think the penalty speaks to that.”
Gibbs indicated he would not appeal the major penalties, suggesting he will impose additional fines, and all the crew members involved would be suspended at least through the end of the season.
After Stewart finished third in Saturday’s race at Michigan International Speedway in the No. 20 car and Logano was seventh in the No. 18, inspectors found magnets on the gas pedals on both cars when they were sent for examination. NASCAR vice president of competition Robin Pemberton said the teams were attempting to mask the cars’ true horsepower.
NASCAR also fined Sprint Cup driver Reed Sorenson’s crew chief Donnie Wingo $25,000 after the car was found to have an improperly attached weight in Sunday’s race at Michigan.
