RCR Fails To Win Penalty Reduction

Richard Childress Racing was denied today in its final appeal to National Motorsports Final Appeals Officer Bryan Moss.

After hearing daylong testimony from both sides at NASCAR’s Research and Development Center in Concord, NC, Moss ruled that based on a preponderance of the evidence, RCR violated the rules by altering its tires at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Cal, on March 22; a P5 penalty under NASCAR’s 2015 Sprint Cup Series rule book.

Moss also upheld the penalties as previously amended by the National Motorsports Appeals Panel. As a result, RCR crew chief Luke Lambert has been assessed a $75,000 fine, suspended for six point-counting events and any non-point events that fall in the interim, and probation through December 31, 2015.

Tire technician James Bender and team engineer Philip Surgen received identical six-race suspensions and probation through Dec. 31.

Driver Ryan Newman and team owner Richard Childress were both docked 50 driver/owner points. 

Childress issued a written statement following the decision, saying, “We do not agree with the final appeal ruling. We feel we had a compelling case and still fell we were in the right and the facts presented today would have proved that. We do appreciate the opportunity to be heard.

"We stand behind our suspended team members and look forward to their return. We will now move on and continue or goals of winning races and making the Chase for the Champion."

The decision of the National Motorsports Final Appeals Officer is final and binding on all parties.