NASCAR officials announced Wednesday the team of Sprint Cup driver Carl Long will be heavily penalized for using an unapproved engine last weekend.
Long has not been competitive in the Sprint Cup series this year, but that did not stop the NASCAR governing body from suspending him for the next 12 races, placing him on probation until Dec. 31 and taking away 200 points. United Press International
NASCAR dropped a nuclear warhead on Long and crew Chief Charles Swing for using an engine that exceeded the 358.000 maximum displacement.
Swing was fined a record $200,000 by NASCAR and both were placed on probation until the end of the year.
According to NASCAR, the car violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-I (any determination by NASCAR Officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules); and 20-5.4A (engine exceeded the maximum engine size of 358.000 cubic inch displacement) of the 2009 NASCAR rule book. Orlando Sentinel
Car owner Danielle Long, Carl’s wife, also was suspended 12 races, docked 200 owner points and placed on probation until Dec. 31.
The record fine exceeds the $150,000 Robby Gordon’s crew chief, Frank Kerr, received in March 2008. Several drivers and owners have been docked 100 points in recent years.
NASCAR discovered an issue and sent the engine to the Research & Development Center for more tests, which determined the engine exceeded maximum cubic inch displacement specifications. The Associated Press
NASCAR said in a news release that Long’s engine “exceeded the maximum engine size of 358-cubic inch displacement.”
Long suffered engine failure during Friday’s practice for the Sprint Showdown. He had to start from the rear of the 35-car field in the 40-lap preliminary race due to an engine change.
Long has made 23 career Cup Series starts, but has not qualified for a points race since August 2006 at Bristol. He failed to qualify for this year’s Daytona 500. MiamiHerald.com
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