| | Associated Press
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Jeff Gordon and his Hendrick
Motorsports team are appealing NASCAR's sanctions over an engine
part used in his Saturday victory in Richmond, Va.
|  | | NASCAR penalized Hendrick Motorsports for running an unauthorized engine part at Richmond -- but didn't take away Jeff Gordon's victory. |
On Tuesday, Robbie Loomis, crew chief for the No. 24 Chevrolet, was fined $25,000 for using a part that has not been approved by NASCAR. The sanctioning body also took away 100 of the 180 total points Gordon earned with the victory -- both from the driver
standings and from Rick Hendrick in the owner standings.
"It just upsets me because this team worked hard for that win
in Richmond and I believe these allegations that we cheated will
undeservedly overshadow that victory," Gordon said.
NASCAR found the irregularity during a postrace inspection
Saturday night at Richmond International Raceway.
"The General Motors intake manifold that the No. 24 team used
during Saturday night's race in Richmond has not been approved,"
said Mike Helton, NASCAR's senior vice president and chief
operating officer.
"The GM part number on the casting was the same; however, a
different material was used, which altered the properties of the
casting. The changed casting was not resubmitted by GM for NASCAR's
approval in accordance with our procedures."
Rick Hendrick issued a statement Tuesday, saying the team has
notified NASCAR that it will appeal the penalty.
"Not only do we feel a full hearing on the facts will exonerate
our team from any intentional wrongdoing, but it will remove any
cloud of suspicion cast over a great victory," Hendrick said. "We were under the impression NASCAR officials have been aware of the use of magnesium in intake manifolds for several months and
had indicated to GM that it was approved as long as the part was not
altered in any other way.
"There was no attempt to conceal the part, which we have been
running since April. It also passed postrace inspection in
Charlotte for two of our cars."
In recent years, NASCAR has let victories stand in cases where a
violation was found during or after a race. | |
ALSO SEE
Gordon shines in lights, as Cup contenders struggle
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Not taking away Gordon's victory left Dale Earnhardt, who finished 2nd, a bit confused.
wav: 216 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
|
