On September 1, 2005, the National Stock Car Racing Commission heard and considered the appeal of Thorsport Racing.  The appeal pertained to three penalties issued by NASCAR for a right front spring infraction on the #88 truck following the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Indianapolis Raceway Park on August 5, 2005.

The penalties were:

• Loss of 25 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Truck Owner Championship points for owner, Rhonda Thorson
• Loss of 25 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Driver Championship points for driver, Matt Crafton
• $5,000 fine for Crew Chief, Vance Haefele

The reaching its decision, the Commission considered the following:

All parties agreed that the minimum wire diameter of the spring violated the NASCAR Rules.

The Appellants argued that the team used an off-the-shelf spring, without modification, and that the infraction was due to a manufacturing error. The Appellants argued that the penalties were too severe for the infraction.  The Appellants also sited their long-standing record of adherence to the rules in the Series.

The Appellants made a very compelling argument that the infraction was an unintentional error and/or omission on their part.

However, by the Rule Book and the Entry Coupon, the owner, driver and crew chief are ultimately responsible for presenting a legal racetruck including any components supplied by a third-party vendor.  Such ultimate responsibility is necessary to maintain the integrity of the sport. It is incumbent upon the team to check any components prior to using them in competition. 

The Commission considered the magnitude of the penalties.  Testimony from NASCAR and Appellant testimony both indicated that there had been growing issues with springs in the three national series in recent years which, in part, lead to the new, stricter spring regulations for 2005.  The Commission finds that the penalties, while serious, are not inappropriate for a spring violation of this nature.

It is therefore the unanimous decision of the National Stock Car Racing Commission to uphold the penalty assessed by NASCAR.  The Appellant has the right, under Section 15 of the NASCAR Rule Book, to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Commissioner.

David Hall
Jo DeWitt Wilson
George Silbermann, Chairman

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National Stock Car Racing Commission Statement:

On September 1, 2005, the National Stock Car Racing Commission heard and considered the appeal of Kris Bradley.  The appeal pertained to a penalty issued by NASCAR following an incident at Bowman Gray Stadium on August 13, 2005.  The rules infractions concerned Section 12-4-A of the NASCAR Rule Book:  "Actions detrimental to stock car racing.  Failure to follow directives from Track Officials" and Section 12-4-F: "Fighting."  The penalty assessed by NASCAR was:  "Indefinitely suspended from NASCAR."

After review of the testimony presented, it is the unanimous decision of the National Stock Car Racing Commission to uphold the penalty assessed by NASCAR.  The Appellant has the right, under Section 15 of the NASCAR Rule Book, to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Commissioner.

Lee Baumgarten
Steve Page
George Silbermann, Chairman

National Stock Car Racing Commission Statement:

On September 1, 2005, the National Stock Car Racing Commission heard and considered the appeal of James Sink, Jr.  The appeal pertained to a penalty issued by NASCAR following an incident at Bowman Gray Stadium on August 13, 2005.  The rules infractions concerned Section 12-4-A of the NASCAR Rule Book:  "Actions detrimental to stock car racing.  Failure to follow directives from Track Officials" and Section 12-4-F: "Fighting."  The penalty assessed by NASCAR was:  "Indefinitely suspended from NASCAR."

After review of the testimony presented, it is the unanimous decision of the National Stock Car Racing Commission to uphold the penalty assessed by NASCAR.  The Appellant has the right, under Section 15 of the NASCAR Rule Book, to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Commissioner.

Les Richter
Steve York
George Silbermann, Chairman

Editor's Note: The above information regarding the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series related to an incident at Bowman Gray Stadium on August 13, 2005 - Three Men Charged in Attack at Race Track  By Patrick Wilson, Journal Reporter  Winston-Salem police filed felony charges yesterday against three men in connection with an attack Saturday night at Bowman Gray Stadium.... <More>