In NASCAR, Tuesdays are typically the time when infractions and punishments are doled out from the previous race weekend. This Tuesday was no exception, with penalties issued to both the driver and owner of the No. 1 team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
Martin Truex Jr. and owner Teresa Earnhardt were penalized 50 championship driver points and 50 championship owner points, respectively.
Crew chief of the No. 1 team, Kevin "Bono" Manion, was fined $50,000. He also was placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2009.
The violations on the No. 1 car were identified during the post-race inspection last Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway.
The team was penalized for violating Sections 12-1, actions detrimental to stock car racing; 12-4-1, race equipment used in the race not conforming to NASCAR rules; and 20-12.8 1B, front of the car too low in post-race inspection.
Truex started the Dickies 500 race at Texas in the 27th position and worked his way through the race to finish in the 14th spot. On intermediate tracks, Truex's average finish is 18th.
The penalty cost Truex two spots in the points standings.
A penalty announcement was also expected for Kyle Busch's No. 18 Nationwide team. However, NASCAR failed to penalize the team on Tuesday.
Reports say that the penalty may be made public on Wednesday for an alleged unsecured weight.
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