Edwards appeal to be heard Tuesday
The penalties assessed were:
- Loss of 25 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Championship Car Owner Points for car owner Roush Fenway Racing.
- Loss of 25 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Championship Driver Points for driver Carl Edwards.
- $25,000.00 fine and probation until December 31, 2007 for crew chief Robert Osborne.
The Appellants argued that the infraction was due to the failure of a clamp on a jack bolt and that the resulting low rear car height was a performance disadvantage. They further argued that penalties imposed during the Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup should be assessed differently than during other portions of the season, and differently for Chase contenders than for other competitors.
In deciding the Appeal, the Commission considered several factors:
- There was no indication that the infraction was intentional.
- The car failed to meet post-race height requirements. Whether this constituted an advantage, disadvantage or otherwise does not alter the fact that the car failed to meet the rules.
- All eligible competitors in each NASCAR Nextel Cup Series championship race are awarded championship points per the NASCAR Rule Book. Accordingly, point penalties should continue to be assessed irrespective of a given competitor's overall standing in the championship points, or in which championship race an infraction occurs.
- The penalties imposed are consistent with those for other recent car height violations.
Therefore it is the unanimous decision of the National Stock Car Racing Commission (John Capels, Grant Lynch and George Silbermann, Chairman) to uphold the original penalties assessed by NASCAR. The Appellants have the right under Section 15 of the Rule Book to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Commissioner. NASCAR PR
10/06/07 Roush Fenway Racing will have its appeal hearing Tuesday in front of a three-person panel of the National Stock Car Racing Commission. #99-Carl Edwards was penalized 25 points after winning two weeks ago at Dover when a post race inspection showed the rear quarter panel on his No. 99 Ford was too low. Edwards plans to attend the hearing with Roush Fenway Racing president Geoff Smith. "If I go, maybe I can learn something about the process," Edwards said. "And I still believe we have a good case to get some relief." NASCAR officials admit the lower height of the car was not an advantage, but a rule is a rule. That isn't the argument for team officials. Smith and team co-owner Jack Roush have argued that the points penalty should be reduced from 25 points to 10 during the Chase because fewer points are available for the Chase competitors. ESPN.com
[Editor's Note: Too funny. No one wins a NASCAR appeal.]