{"id":1555691,"date":"2023-03-29T21:42:50","date_gmt":"2023-03-30T01:42:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/?p=1555691"},"modified":"2023-03-29T21:42:51","modified_gmt":"2023-03-30T01:42:51","slug":"nascar-must-make-immediate-change-or-risk-complete-castration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/news\/nascar-must-make-immediate-change-or-risk-complete-castration\/","title":{"rendered":"NASCAR Must Make an Immediate Change or Risk Complete Castration"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

R<\/a>ick Hendrick's guys pantsed NASCAR<\/a>, which isn\u2019t even pretending that the decision by an appeals panel to keep fines and suspensions in place is an adequate penalty for Hendrick Motorsports<\/a>. The winningest team in Cup Series history succeeded in overturning points penalties on Wednesday, leaving the governing body as toothless as the front row of a pro wrestling crowd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s almost certainly going to get worse a week from now when Kaulig Racing goes before an appeals panel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hendrick Motorsports' win leaves NASCAR steamed<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"William
William Byron is congratulated by Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 20, 2022. | Sean Gardner\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A National Motorsports Appeals Panel reversed 100-point penalties to all four Hendrick Motorsports drivers and zapped 10-point playoff penalties. The three-member panel upheld four-race suspensions and $100,000 fines for crew chiefs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The punishment followed NASCAR\u2019s confiscation of hood louvers from the four Hendrick Motorsports Chevys following practice on March 10 at Phoenix. The restoration of points lifts a major burden drivers Alex Bowman and Kyle Larson<\/a> faced in making the playoffs and then surviving transfer races en route to the Championship 4. \u00a0It also strengthened William Byron\u2019s position following a strong start to the season, and the restoration of owner points will help HMS with season-ending bonus money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Today's outcome reflects the facts, and we're pleased the panel did the right thing by overturning the points penalty,” owner Rick Hendrick said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not surprisingly, NASCAR had a different perspective:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We are pleased that the National Motorsports Appeals Panel agreed that Hendrick Motorsports violated the rule book,” NASCAR said in a statement. “However, we are disappointed that the entirety of the penalty was not upheld. A points penalty is a strong deterrent that is necessary to govern the garage following rule book violations, and we believe that it was an important part of the penalty in this case and moving forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe will continue to inspect and officiate the NASCAR garage at the highest level of scrutiny to ensure a fair and level playing field for our fans and the entire garage.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We likely won\u2019t learn the appeals panel\u2019s rationale<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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NEWS: The National Motorsports Appeals Panel rules to amend the L2 penalty issued to the Nos. 5, 9, 24, and 48 of Hendrick Motorsports.

There is no loss of Championship and Playoff Team Owner and Driver points. pic.twitter.com\/aQkmbKZ2AJ<\/a><\/p>— NASCAR (@NASCAR) March 29, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote>