It turns out that Kevin Harvick isn’t locked into Homestead after all.
The No. 4 team was handed an L1 Penalty, after it was discovered that the spoiler on Harvick’s race-winning car from this past Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway violated NASCAR regulations. As outlined in Section 20.4.12 a & b of the NASCAR Rule Book, “Vehicle spoiler must conform to the CAD file and drawing. Spoilers must be used exactly as supplied from the manufacturer.”
As a result, the team has been assessed with the loss of 40 driver points and 40 owner points. The win can’t be used to advance Harvick into the championship race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
He enters Phoenix fourth in points, three points above the cutline.
Crew chief Rodney Childers has been fined $75,000 and suspended from the next two Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship points events. Car chief Robert Smith has been suspended from the next two Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship points events.
Stewart-Haas Racing won’t appeal the penalty, and Tony Gibson will man the No. 4 war wagon for the final two races of the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season.
Tony Gibson will be Harvick’s crew chief for the rest of the season. SHR will *NOT* appeal penalty. Statement from SHR’s Greg Zipadelli: pic.twitter.com/MWoz8qlFmH
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) November 7, 2018
NASCAR Senior Vice President of Competition Scott Miller issued the following statement: “It is not our desire to issue any penalties, but will do so when necessary to ensure each race and championship is contested on a level playing field.”
The No. 12 (Door Front Crush Panel) and No. 20 (Package Tray) team’s were also issued L1 Penalties. Both were assessed 20-point penalties. Both team’s crew chiefs were fined $50,000 and suspended for the next two races. Both team’s car chiefs were suspended for the next two races.
