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Two different National Motorsports Appeals Panels upheld penalties Wednesday against Kaulig Racing’s No. 31 team and Front Row Motorsports’ No. 38 for their respective safety violations in early-season races.
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For Kaulig Racing, crew chief Trent Owens and crew members Jacob Nelson (tire changer) and Marshall McFadden (jackman) had appealed the penalty after the No. 31 Chevrolet lost a wheel during the season-opening Daytona 500. The three-member panel denied that appeal, deciding that the three violated Section 10.5.2.6 (Safety Penalties and Penalty Options) in the NASCAR Rule Book and affirming the original penalty.
Owens, Nelson and McFadden were suspended for four races each in the Feb. 23 penalty report, but have remained rostered while the matter was under appeal. In a statement, Kaulig Racing president Chris Rice indicated the team will not file a final appeal. “We respect NASCAR’s decision on the appeal,” Rice said. “We will take penalty, move on and work hard to be better.”
Haley finished 23rd in the Daytona 500 and currently ranks 25th in the Cup Series standings.
The three panelists for Wednesday’s hearing were Tom DeLoach, Dixon Johnston and Dale Pinilis.
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For Front Row Motorsports, crew chief Seth Barbour and crew members Jourdan Osinskie and Tanner Andrews had appealed the penalty after the No. 38 Ford lost a wheel at Auto Club Speedway. A separate three-member panel denied that appeal, deciding that the three violated Section 10.5.2.6 (Safety Penalties and Penalty Options) in the NASCAR Rule Book and affirming the original penalty.
The three panelists for this hearing were Hunter Nickell, Bill Mullis and Kevin Whitaker.