Appeals Panel Upholds RCR Crew Penalties

A National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel upheld the suspensions and fines assessed to two Richard Childress Racing crewmen by NASCAR last month, following the alleged assault of driver Nelson Piquet Jr. and another man in the aftermath of a NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Richmond International Raceway.

RCR crewmen Michael Scearce and Thomas Costello were suspended by NASCAR for four races and fined $15,000 after the altercation, which resulted in them being arrested by Henrico County Sherriff’s deputies and charged with misdemeanor assault. The three-member appeals panel heard their appeal today at the NASCAR R&D Center in Concord, N.C., three members of the National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel -- Atlanta Motor Speedway president Ed Clark, longtime motorsports journalist Dr. Dick Berggren and Iowa Speedway President Doug Fritz ruled to uphold the penalties, as assessed.

Their suspensions will begin at Dover International Speedway next weekend, with Scearce and Costello eligible to return at Kentucky Speedway in late June.

RCR has not said whether it will exercise its right for a final appeal, to Chief Appellate Officer John Middlebrook.