NASCAR has seen three penalties appealed and heard by the National Motorsports Appeals Panel in the past week.  In two of the cases the penalties were modified and in one case part of the original penalty was taken away completely.

In a move that was bound to happen. NASCAR has amended the Rule Book in relation to  Appeals Panel and Final Appeal hearings.

According to the new rules, the panels can no longer vacate a portion of the penalty; only modify it according to the rule book.

In other words…for example in the penalties levied against the Hendrick Motorsports cars the crew chiefs were suspended, fines were assessed, and points were taken form the drivers and owner Rick Hendrick.

In the appeal hearing, the Panel upheld the fines and suspension but eliminated the point deductions. 

Under the new rules, the Appeals Panel would have to keep all three elements of the penalty in some form or overturn the entire penalty.

Previously, it was not revealed why the panel ruled the way it did; under the new rules change NASCAR may publish the reasoning behind the panel’s decisions.