Who's doing what at Penske Racing until June

   Due to the recent penalties announced by NASCAR regarding the No. 2 and 22 Penske Racing teams, Penske Racing has made the following roster adjustments for the Darlington and Charlotte races.

 

 Team Manager: Mike Nelson, currently Vice President of Operations, will fulfill this role

 No. 2 Miller Lite Ford Fusion:

   Crew Chief: Kevin Buskirk

   - Buskirk, a former driver and crew chief, joined Penske racing prior to the 2012 season. He currently manages the test teams for Penske Racing.
   Race Engineer: Jonathan Hassler
   -  Hassler, served as the lead engineer for the No. 22 Sprint Cup Series team last season and helped the No. 22 Nationwide Series team earn six victories in 2011.
   Car Chief: Nick Hensley
   - Hensley, has worked with Penske Racing since 2007 and has worked with the No. 2 team since the 2011 season.
  

No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford Fusion:
   Crew Chief: Steve Reis
   - Reis, who normally serves as one of the team’s engineers, has been with Penske Racing since 2009 and has been with the No. 22 team since 2011. Before, he served as the race engineer on the No. 77 Penske Racing Sprint Cup team
   Race Engineer: Ben Atkins
   - Atkins is an engineer with Penske Racing and worked with Todd Gordon during the 2011 season.
   Car Chief: Jeffery Thousand
   - Thousand, who has been with Penske Racing for close to twenty years, served as the car chief for the No. 22 through last season.

    Note: Greg Erwin, Sam Hornish Jr.’s crew chief in the Nationwide Series, will sit atop the pit box on race day for the Shell-Pennzoil team and serve as a race strategist. Erwin will continue in his role as Sam Hornish’ s crew chief in the Nationwide Series.

Appeals Panel reduces Joe Gibbs Racing penalties

National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel Statement

 (May 8, 2013)

   The National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel today heard and considered the appeal of the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team.

   The penalties concern Sections 12-1: Actions detrimental to stock car racing; 12-4J: Any determination by NASCAR Officials that race equipment used in the event does not conform to the NASCAR rules detailed in Section 20 of the NASCAR rule book, or has not been approved by NASCAR prior to the event; and 20-5.5.3E: Only solid magnetic steel connecting rods with a minimum weight of 525.0 grams will be permitted. Connecting rod failed to meet minimum connecting rod weight.

   The penalties stemmed from a post-race engine inspection April 23 at the NASCAR Research and Development Center.

   The original penalties assessed to the No. 20 team were:

   · Crew chief Jason Ratcliff: Fined $200,000 and suspended from NASCAR until the completion of the next six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship point events (a period of time that also includes the non-points Sprint All-Star Race)

   · Car owner Joe Gibbs: Loss of 50 championship car owner points; the first place finish from April 21 at Kansas Speedway will not earn bonus points toward the accumulated aggregate car owner points total after the completion of the first 26 events of the current season and will not be credited towards the eligibility for a car owner wild card position; had the owner’s license for the No. 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car suspended until the completion of the next six championship point events, therefore being ineligible to receive championship car owner points during that period of time.
  
   · Driver Matt Kenseth: Loss of 50 championship driver points; the Coors Light Pole award from April 19 at Kansas Speedway will not be allowed for eligibility into the 2014 Sprint Unlimited; the first place finish from April 21 at Kansas Speedway will not earn bonus points toward the accumulated aggregate driver points total after the completion of the first 26 events of the current season and will not be credited towards the eligibility for a driver wild card position.

   · Manufacturer: The loss of five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series manufacturer championship points.

   The Appellants appealed all penalties listed above. The Appellants also requested and were granted a deferral of the suspensions until such time as the hearing could be convened.

   Upon hearing the testimony, it was a unanimous decision by the National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel to amend the original penalties assessed by NASCAR. The amendments are as follows:

   · Crew chief Jason Ratcliff: The $200,000 fine remains intact; NASCAR suspension now covers one championship points event. In addition, he will be placed on NASCAR probation until the completion of the next three championship points events following his reinstatement;

   · Car owner Joe Gibbs: Loss of championship owner points has been reduced to 12. All other components of his penalty were rescinded;

   · Driver Matt Kenseth; Loss of championship driver points has been reduced to 12. All other components of his penalty were rescinded;

   · Manufacturer: The loss of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series manufacturer championship points has been increased to seven.

   Denis Mcglynn
   Jack Housby
   Mark Arute

   Shawn Rogers – Appellate Administrator and non-voting member

Plan to party at the Coca-Cola 600

   Reigning Sprint Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski will join Matt Kenseth and Kasey Kahne, legends Bobby and Donnie Allison and team owner Joe Gibbs at an infield Pit Party sponsored by the NASCAR Hall of Fame at the Coca-Cola 600 on May 26.

   The Hall’s Pit Party will take place on pit road from 12:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. before the season’s longest race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The party will feature driver appearances, live music from national recording artist Benton Blount, concessions, racing displays and more. Access to the Pit Party is included with the purchase of a pit pass or a driver introduction pass.

   In addition to the fan forums, the party will feature vintage military vehicles and displays from the Richard Petty Driving Experience.

   Pit passes are $100 for adults, $50 for children 14-18 and free for kids 13 and under with a paying adult. Driver introduction passes are $150 for adults and $75 for kids 13 and under. Pit passes must be purchased in addition to a race ticket. Call (800) 455-3267 for more information.