Due to the alleged modifications in Kevin Harvick’s car, NASCAR fined the No. 4 team with heavy penalties.
Both Harvick and Steward-Haas Racing were docked 100 points each, and crew chief Rodney Childers ended up with a four-race suspension along with a $100,000 fine.
NASCAR’s justification for the fine was that there was “modification of a single source supplied part.”
Harvick tweeted “Seems strange…” in anticipation of the news and Childers tweeted “Shocking” replying to NASCAR’s post about the penalty.
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While the fine might seem harsh, NASCAR President Steve Phelps made it clear that the fine was borne out of inspection and not with a specific vendetta.
“I would say that’s ridiculous. No one has a vendetta against Kevin Harvick or Rodney, at all, or anyone at Stewart-Haas Racing,” Phelps said. “Our guys are very good. They are going to look at (an infraction). Look at it again. Look at it a third time to make sure there’s a penalty and the penalty is right. If the four team thinks that’s not right, they will file an appeal.”
Harvick is one of the outspoken figures in criticism of the Next Gen cars. The cars have come under increased limelight due to recent injuries and drivers complaining about them. One of the major issues with the car is the stiffness in the rear of the car, which led to concussion-like symptoms in Kurt Busch and Alex Bowman.
While Harvick was eliminated from the first round in the playoffs, he will have to do the next four races without his crew chief.