On March 24, NASCAR issued a major penalty to Rousch Fenway Keselowski Racing…one that will have long lasting implications on the team and owner/driver Brad Keselowski.

The penalty is in relation to a violation of the NASCAR rule book – modification of a supplied part – and will cost RFK Racing $100,000, a reduction of 100 car owner points, a reduction of 100 driver points, and a four race suspension of crew chief Matt McCall.  Should Keselowski make it to the first round of the playoffs, he will also be docked 10 playoff points.

Prior to the Folds of Honor Quiktrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 20, Keselowski’s start was pushed to the back of the field after the crew made some unapproved adjustments to the car.  It was during the tear down inspection at the NASCAR R&D Center that the infraction was discovered.

Prior to the penalty, Keselowski was in the final spot – 16th – to make the playoffs with 122 points.  Since the issuance of the penalty, Keselowski has dropped to 35th place with just 22 points.  Only part time drivers Greg Biffle and Jacques Villeneuve have fewer points.

When the new Next Gen car was revealed, NASCAR also issued a warning to the teams noting that penalties relating to the new car would be far more severe than in the past.  The first few weeks of the season has already seen three crew chiefs suspended several races for loss of a tire during the race.

When NASCAR introduced the new Next Gen car, they also announced that many of the parts used in the cars would be provided and any alterations would not be tolerated.


NASCAR has also suspended crew chief Eddie Troconis for a second time for violating the NASCAR rule book when it comes to member conduct.  He was previously suspended last October and was reinstated in February.