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closeNASCAR penalizes pair of Gibbs teams
Dyno-gate cheating scandal prompts suspensions, more
JIM UTTER
The Charlotte Observer
Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008
NASCAR dropped the hammer on Joe Gibbs Racing's Nos. 18 and 20 teams Wednesday, suspending seven team members indefinitely - including both teams' crew chiefs - assessing fines and points penalties for their efforts to rig a chassis dyno test last weekend at Michigan International Speedway.
The penalties are easily the most severe and comprehensive ever handed down in the Nationwide Series.
The drivers - Joey Logano and Tony Stewart - were stripped of 150 driver points each in the Nationwide Series and car owner Joe Gibbs was stripped of 150 owner points for each team.
In addition, both crew chiefs - Dave Rogers on the No. 20 and Jason Ratcliff on the No. 18 - were fined $50,000 each and suspended indefinitely by NASCAR.
On the No. 20 team, car chief Richard Bray and engine tuner Dan Bajek were both suspended indefinitely. On the No. 18 team, car chief Dorian Thorsen, engine tuner Michael Johnson and crew member Toby Bigelow were all indefinitely suspended from NASCAR.
Both teams have also been placed on NASCAR probation through the end of the year.
In its news release, NASCAR said the teams placed magnetic spacers under the throttle pedals in order to produce a false reading on the chassis dynamometer test, which measures rear-wheel horsepower.
There was no immediate comment from Joe Gibbs Racing. JGR has the right to appeal the penalties to the National Stock Car Racing Commission.