There were a lot of disagreements between NASCAR and the Appeals panel after the penalties for Hendrick Motorsports teams were rescinded.
The three HMS drivers, Kyle Larson, William Byron and Alex Bowman were hit with 100 points and 10 playoff points in the standings for illegally modifying the hood louvers at Phoenix Raceway.
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However, the Appeals Panel rescinded the penalties for these teams. This decision from the panel left NASCAR disappointed even though the panel agreed that HMS violated the rules.
In light of the situation, NASCAR amended the language in Section 10.5.2 with the updated rule: “National Motorsports Appeals Panel and final appeal officer may not completely strike any element of an originally assessed penalty.”
The change now gives the Appeals panel less power to make such big changes to the penalties issued by NASCAR.
Appeals panel now can only modify a penalty — if a points penalty is issued, then it must keep a points penalty within the range in the rulebook for the level of penalty. pic.twitter.com/wilyleQvzM
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) April 6, 2023
Replying to a tweet, Bubba Wallace’s spotter Freddie Kraft said that the panel appeared like “idiots” for their decision to rescind the penalty even though they agreed that HMS broke the rules. Furthermore, he also commended NASCAR’s decision for the rule change.
“Yep, same stance…The appeals committee looked like idiots last week when they admitted Hendrick broke the rules, but gave them their points back. Now NASCAR is stepping in to say it’s a penalty or it isn’t, the appeals committee doesn’t get to adjust the penalty as severely.”
Yep same stance.
The appeals committee looked like idiots last week when they admitted Hendrick broke the rules, but gave them their points back.
Now NASCAR is stepping it to say it’s penalty or it isn’t, the appeals committee doesn’t get to adjust the penalty as severely. 👍🏻
— Freddie Kraft (@FreddieKraft) April 6, 2023
Given that NASCAR had to come up with the rule changes speaks volumes about their disagreement with the Appeals Panel. It certainly seemed idiotic to say that someone broke the rules and now penalize them.