As always, NASCAR appeal denied

[Editor's Note: Is anyone stupid enough to ever think they will win a NASCAR appeal?] The National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel has denied the Braun Racing appeal of $25,000 fines for crew chiefs Stewart Cooper and Trip Bruce over the unapproved swapping of tires last month at Nashville.

NASCAR penalized the drivers (Jason Leffler and Tayler Malsam) and teams 25 points apiece and suspended the crew chiefs and tire specialists for two weeks in addition to the fines. However, Braun Racing only appealed the fines.

Each team’s case was heard by a separate panel.

“The team freely admitted that the infractions had occurred, but asked for leniency in regards to the fine," the panels said in their statements on the appeals. “The Appeals Panel found the penalty to be correct for the infraction."

The panel that decided appeal of the No. 10 team of Malsam was Martinsville Speedway President, Clay Campbell, Greenville Pickens (S.C.) Speedway owner Kevin Whitaker and former crew chief Waddell Wilson. The panel that decided the No. 38 team (Leffler) appeal was Richmond International Raceway president Doug Fritz, former team owner Bud Moore and Bowman Gray (N.C.) Stadium operator Dale Pinilis.

Braun Racing can appeal to the chief appellate officer, retired General Motors executive John Middlebrook. Scenedaily.com