Wednesday, September 4, 2013

NASCAR issues penalty for the Max Papis slap

   NASCAR finally weighed in on the wild postrace incident following last Sunday's Camping World Truck Series race in Canada that featured the girlfriend of a driver slapping competitor Max Papis.

   On Wednesday, NASCAR fined Kelly Heaphy, girlfriend of driver Mike Skeen, $2,500 and denied her access to all NASCAR events indefinitely for striking Papis after the race.

   In addition, Bryan Berry, crew chief of Skeen's No. 6 Sharp-Gallaher Racing team, was fined $2,500 because the crew chief assumes responsibility for the actions of his team.

   SGR issued the following statement:

   "I'd like to apologize to our sponsors, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and especially the fans on behalf of everyone at Sharp-Gallaher Racing for the incident that occurred following Sunday's race," said team co-owner Eddie Sharp Jr. "Although Kelly Heaphy is not an employee of SGR, we absolutely do not condone actions such as these from anyone associated with our organization. It is a shame that this overshadowed the first class event that NASCAR delivered in Canada. We have nothing but respect for NASCAR, and will not appeal the penalty assessed to crew chief Bryan Berry."