CUP: Date Set For RCR Appeal Hearing
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Article by Rea White, FOXSports.com
The date and time to hear the Richard Childress Racing appeal of penalties to Paul Menard's NASCAR Sprint Cup team has been set.
The appeal will be held on Monday, Sept. 10 at 2 p.m. ET.
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The team was penalized after officials ruled there were violations of the frame rails on Menard's car found during postrace inspection at the NASCAR Research and Development Center following the race at Michigan International Speedway. The rule covering the violation reads, "race equipment that has been previously certified or previously approved by NASCAR for use in an event ... has been altered, modified, repaired or changed in any manner. Intentionally modifying frame rails for the purpose of deceiving NASCAR’s inspection gauges."
Team owner Richard Childress and Menard were each docked 25 owner and driver points. Crew chief Richard “Slugger” Labbe was fined $100,000, suspended from NASCAR until Oct. 3 and placed on probation until Dec. 31. Car chief Craig Smokstad and crew member Grant Hutchens were also suspended from NASCAR until Oct. 3 and placed on probation until Dec. 31.
RCR's appeal allows the team members to continue to work at the track until the hearing. If the penalty is upheld, the suspensions will begin at that time.