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NASCAR Nails Joe Gibbs Racing

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The Associated Press

Published: August 21, 2008

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - NASCAR's latest attempt to reel in the rule-breakers aimed at an unfamiliar target: the normally squeaky-clean Joe Gibbs Racing.

NASCAR's decision Wednesday to suspend seven JGR crew members indefinitely for attempting to manipulate a horsepower test after a Nationwide Series race last weekend put a serious dent in owner Joe Gibbs' reputation.

While NASCAR decided against banning the cars from future races, the penalties were among the harshest NASCAR has levied. (See accompanying chart)

"In this particular case, the rule violation was serious and was attempting to interfere with our ability to conduct an accurate postrace competitive analysis," NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said. "It called for a serious reaction on our part and we think the penalty speaks to that."

Gibbs indicated he would not appeal the major penalties. Gibbs said he'll even impose additional fines, and all the crew members involved would be suspended at least through the end of the season.

"In 17 years we have never had any representative of Joe Gibbs Racing knowingly act outside of NASCAR's rules, and that is something we consider essential to how we operate on a daily basis," Gibbs said in a statement. "What we have determined is that these individuals involved used extremely poor judgment."

After Stewart finished third in Saturday's race at Michigan International Speedway in the No. 20 car and Logano was seventh in the No. 18, inspectors found magnets on the gas pedals on both cars when they were sent to the chassis dyno for examination. NASCAR vice president of competition Robin Pemberton said the teams were attempting to mask the cars' true horsepower.

"I would like to apologize to the employees and partners of Joe Gibbs Racing," Jason Ratcliff, crew chief of the No. 18 car, said in a statement. "Because of poor decision making, I have failed you as the leader of this team and I am solely responsible for this situation. Secondly, I apologize to the men and women of NASCAR for my dishonesty and interference during a testing event."

The discovery of magnets in an attempt to make the test show the cars were using less horsepower came as Gibbs' No. 18 and No. 20 Toyotas have dominated NASCAR's second-tier series. They've combined to win 14 of 25 Nationwide races, and NASCAR last month ordered all Toyota teams to cut about 15 horsepower in their motors.

The No. 20 car's lead in the owners standing was cut to 168 against the No. 2 car owned by Richard Childress Racing.

"I accept the penalties imposed by NASCAR and Joe Gibbs Racing and make no excuses," said Dave Rogers, crew chief of the No. 20 car.

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