The NASCAR rule book is very thick and filled with a myriad of violations from very minor to severe.  On Wednesday, NASCAR levied their most severe penalty to one of the Stewart-Haas Racing cars after the car had undergone a detailed inspection at the R&D center.

 

The number 14 car driven by Chase Briscoe was found to have what NASCAR deemed as a counterfeit part and has issued a L3 (the most severe) penalty.

 

NASCAR cited multiple infractions on the car including sections 14.1F, 14..A, and 14.6.3B.  The infractions involve the underwing, the engine panel assembly, and the counterfeiting of a single source part.  The single source part in question is the NACA duct which must be used and left unobstructed.

 

The NACA ducts are used on the side windows to aid in cooling the cars.  They are a single source part whose use and location are specifically spelled out in the NASCAR rule book.  Any modification to those ducts can help to increase the downforce of a car.

 

As a result; both Briscoe and SHR has been docked 120 points, plus Briscoe will be docked 25 playoff points should he be one of the 16 drivers to make the playoffs.  Crew chief John Klausmeier has been fined $250,000 and suspended for the next six races!

 

The loss of points drops Briscoe from 292 to 172, placing him in 32nd place.

 

NASCAR Senior Vice President of Competition Elton Sawyer spoke on the infractions saying, “in the post-race inspection at the R&D Center, we found the number 14 car had an engine panel NACA duct not in compliance with the rule book.  It is a counterfeit part, and that is an L3 penalty. … We need to make sure we’re keeping the teams and the car in compliance. The deterrence model has to fit that, and that’s our responsibility as custodians of the sport and of the garage.  Don’t mess with a single-source part. Working in areas we used to in the Gen-6 car, is just not going to be acceptable with this car as we move forward. It’s not going to be the culture we’re going to allow.”

 

The NASCAR rule book lists a range on the L1,2, and 3 penalties; those assessed by NASCAR to the number 14 team were the minimum listed.

There is no word from SHR on whether or not they will appeal the penalty.