The National Motorsports Appeals Panel reduced the fine to crew chief Chris Gayle from $12,500 to $8,500 and removed his probation though the end of the year on Tuesday.
The change was made because of a parts failure, the panel stated.
The panel heard the appeal by Joe Gibbs Racing of the P2 penalty given to the No. 54 Xfinity team after the Sept. 23 race weekend at Chicagoland Speedway. Kyle Busch’s car failed post-race inspection when it was found to be too low on all four corners.
The panel kept all the penalties with the exception of Gayle’s fine. Team co-owner J.D. Gibbs was docked 10 owner points and Gayle’s probation goes through Dec. 31.
gave its ruling today on a P2 penalty levied against the No. 54 Xfinity Series team of Joe Gibbs Racing following the Sept. 23 race weekend at Chicagoland Speedway. The No. 54 of Kyle Busch failed post-race inspection when it was found to be too low in all four corners.
Team co-owner J.D. Gibbs was penalized 10 owners points and crew chief .
The entirety of the panel’s ruling and its penalty reassessment is below.
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The penalty concerns the following sections in the 2015 NASCAR Rule Book: Sections 12.1; 20.17.3.2.1.b&c; 20.17.3.2.2.b&c; 12.5.3.2.1.f; 12.5.3.2.2.a.b&d.
The original penalty assessed included a $12,500 fine and NASCAR probation through Dec. 31 to Gayle and loss of 10 series championship car owner points to Gibbs.
Upon hearing the testimony, the decisions of the National Motorsports Appeals Panel are:
1. That the Appellants violated the Rule or Rules set forth in the Penalty Notice as a P2 Penalty.
2. That due to part failure, the Panel amends the Penalty to:
a. Loss of 10 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship car owner points for car owner J.D. Gibbs
b. $8,500 fine for crew chief Chris Gayle
The panel consisted of the following three individuals:
Ms. Cathy Rice
Mr. Lake Speed
Mr. Kevin Whitaker
The Appellants have the right to appeal the decision of the National Motorsports Appeals Panel to the National Motorsports Final Appeals Officer in accordance with Section 15 of the NASCAR Rule Book.