Weekly NASCAR cheating report

NASCAR has suspended Joe Lax, crew chief for Nextel Cup Series driver Jeremy Mayfield and the No. 36 Bill Davis Racing Toyota, until Sept. 19, fined him $25,000 and placed him on probation until Dec. 31.

Lax was penalized after the crew added extra weight to the car by placing a piece of lead in the water bottle before qualifying for last week's Sharp Aquos 500 at California Speedway.

Mayfield was also penalized 25 driver points, and car owner Gail Davis lost 25 owner points.

NASCAR has fined Steve Lane, crew chief of Chip Ganassi Racing's No. 40 Dodge and driver David Stremme, $2,500 because the team's scorer, Joel Carpentier, left the scoring area before the Sharp Aquos 500 at California Speedway ended.

Lane was fined because the crew chief is responsible for the actions of team members.

NASCAR officials have fined crew chiefs Scott Zipadelli and Stewart Cooper after rule violations in the Busch Series event at California Speedway.

Zipadelli, crew chief for driver Kelly Bires and the No. 47 Wood Brothers/JTG Racing Ford, was fined $2,500 for unapproved fuel cell installation.

Cooper, crew chief for driver Bobby East and the No. 37 Brewco Motorsports Ford, was fined $1,000 for unapproved slots in the lower A-frame spring bucket.