NASCAR limits how much the Appeals Panel or Final Appeals Officer can modify a penalty issued by NASCAR
NASCAR has issued new lines to the NASCAR rule book regarding the appeal process. The new lines limit how much a panel can adjust a penalty, if it was determined that a rule was in fact broken.
See the updated NASCAR rule book below.
Hendrick Motorsports and Kaulig Racing each had hood louvers confiscated at Phoenix Raceway. Five teams were issued L2 penalties.
NASCAR issues $550,000 in fines after Phoenix Raceway
Hendrick was docked 100 owner points, 100 driver points and 10 playoff points on all four of their machines. They were also docked 10 playoff points (No. 9 excluded from driver and playoff points penalties as he was absent from the car). That was included with a four race suspension for all four crew chiefs along with a $100,000 fine.
Hendrick Motorsports elected to appeal the penalty. It was heard by a 3 person panel, independent of NASCAR.
Hendrick Motorsports appeal of hood louver penalty
Following their appeal, the penalty was reduced drastically. All points were returned to the team leaving just the crew chief suspensions and the fines.
NASCAR penalty to Hendrick Motorsports amended with appeal
NASCAR announced their disapproval of the way the penalty was modified by the panel, within the hour of the panels decision. Now, NASCAR has added new rules to the rulebook, limiting how much the panel can adjust penalties issued.
Denny Hamlin reacted to news of the rules change, “Wait what??? This started today? Wtf.”
He added, “You can’t do this in the middle of a appeal!!!”
Denny Hamlin penalty heard by appeals panel
It’s worth noting that if the appeals panel finds that the team didn’t break any rules then the panel still has the option to remove all penalties. However, if they determine the team did break a rule, then these new rules kick in and the panel can only modify the penalty within the limits.
New NASCAR Rules on Appeals
A. “NASCAR shall have the right to publish any decision of the Appeals Panel/FAO, including with limitation, the names of the parties involved and the Appeals Panel/FAO justification for modifying or rescinding a Penalty.”
“The Appeals Panel may not completely remove any element of the originally assessed Penalty provided in the Penalty Notice as defined in Section 10.5.2 Determination of Penalties; modifications to a Penalty are limited to the minimum and maximum ranges, as listed in the Rule Book.”
“By way of example, if NASCAR assessed a Penalty that consisted of Points reductions, monetary fines, and suspensions, all these elements of the originally assessed Penalty must remain, but the amount of each element could be adjusted within the minimum and maximum Penalty ranges.”
Penalty Levels: L1
Points
20-75
Playoff Points
1-10
Playoff Eligibility
N/A
Team Roster Member Suspensions
1-3 Races
Team Event Roster Position Suspensions
1 Position
Vehicle Suspension
N/A
Fine
$25,000 – $100,000
Penalty Levels: L2
Points
75-120
Playoff Points
10-25
Playoff Eligibility
N/A
Team Roster Member Suspensions
4-6 Races
Team Event Roster Position Suspensions
1-2 Positions
Vehicle Suspension
N/A
Fine
$100,000 – $250,000
Penalty Levels: L3
Points
120-180
Playoff Points
25-50
Playoff Eligibility
No
Team Roster Member Suspensions
6 Races
Team Event Roster Position Suspensions
1-2 Positions
Vehicle Suspension
1
Fine
$250,000 – $500,000
With the new rules, if the panel determines a rule was broken but they want to adjust the penalty then they must stay within the limits posted above of the L1, L2 or L3 penalty issued. If they determine a rule wasn’t broken, they can still remove all penalties.
Note: Hendrick Motorsports was handed two more L1 penalties after Richmond Raceway.
NASCAR Penalty Report: L1 Penalties after Richmond (April 2023)
