Denver-based Furniture Row Racing is appealing NASCAR-imposed penalties to driver Martin Truex Jr., crew chief Cole Pearn and owner Barney Visser for a roof-flap oversight that doesn’t enhance performance. In fact, the problem was fixed after pre-race inspection Sunday — before Truex finished seventh at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Pearn was fined $50,000 and suspended one race, and Truex and Visser were docked 15 points as driver and owner, respectively. Pearn’s suspension and monetary fine have been deferred until the conclusion of the appeal hearing.
“The roof flap had a part in it that was out of compliance when compared to the original assembly. It was nothing but an oversight,” Furniture Row general manager Joe Garone told The Post on Wednesday. “We have been so busy just trying to get cars built we never checked it. It wasn’t anything to do with making the car run faster, but it was a safety matter. Also, (it) wasn’t even our part.
“I’m glad they found it from a safety perspective, but the penalty just seems excessive.”
Furniture Row switched from Chevrolet to Toyota in the offseason and is now a technical partner with Joe Gibbs Racing. Garone’s team still builds all its cars out of its Denver shop.
Mike Chambers: mchambers@denverpost.com or @mikechambers
