The four-race suspension Kevin Harvick's crew chief got for rigging his gas tank was upheld yesterday by an appeals committee.
Todd Berrier admitted making the tank appear full when it actually wasn't during a qualifying run earlier this month at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. NASCAR implemented a rule this season requiring all cars to qualify with full tanks. A lighter tank would make the car faster.
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In addition to the suspension, Berrier was fined $25,000. Harvick was docked 25 points, as was car owner Richard Childress.
Childress appealed the penalty, hoping to get the suspension reduced and the points restored. He argued that Harvick should not have lost points because the infraction happened during qualifying, not a race.
The National Stock Car Racing Commission unanimously upheld all the penalties.
Childress then lashed out at the commission, which last week lifted the suspensions of crew chiefs Chad Knaus and Alan Gustafson. Both were penalized when the cars driven by Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch failed post-race inspection at Las Vegas.
"There is no consistency in NASCAR's penalty and appeal process," Childress said. "It is impossible for me to describe how disappointed I am."
Childress acknowledged that Berrier deserved to be suspended but said four weeks was too severe.
-- From News Services
