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MARTINSVILLE, Va. -- Jeff Gordon and Hendrick
Motorsports have lost their appeal to a penalty the team
incurred after winning the Sept. 9 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400
at Richmond International Raceway.
Crew chief Robbie Loomis was fined $25,000, Gordon had 100
drivers points taken away and Hendrick Motorsports had 100
owners points deducted after NASCAR officials detected an
unapproved intake manifold in a post-race technical inspection.
The National Stock Car Commission heard and considered an appeal
on Thursday and Friday before making its ruling.
Jack Housby, Les Richter and George Silbermann heard the appeal
and ruled that while the NASCAR Rule Book does not specifically
denote the material of the approved intake manifold, all
witnesses in the hearing acknowledged that the approved NASCAR
intake manifold, as listed in the NASCAR Rule Book is
"aluminum."
Furthermore, Sections 20 and 20-5 of the rule book require that
all changes to engine components must be submitted to NASCAR
headquarters and approved by NASCAR prior to being used in
competition.
Gordon's intake manifold was made of magnesium. The change from
aluminum to magnesium was not formally submitted to NASCAR
headquarters and was not approved by NASCAR.
"We felt like we had to appeal," Gordon said. "We felt like we
had a reason to, but the decision has been made. It's done with,
and we've already put it behind us. We won the race, and we've
got to go on and not worry about it.
"I felt like we did (won the race fair and square). If you ask
anybody, they'll tell you it did not enhance performance in any
way. It's one of those technicality deals. It's one of those
things where we feel like we're in the right and they're telling
us we're not. I'd appeal again if we had to, but it's one of
those situations where the decision is made and we've got to
live with it."
Gordon, who is currently 10th in the NASCAR Winston Cup point
standings, said he is ready to accept the decision and will
likely not appeal to National commissioner Charles Strang.
"We've got to go on and not dwell on it and not let it affect
us," Gordon said. "The team is running good right now. The cars
are running good. I still think we've been able to build on that
run we had at Richmond. It stills seems to be working good for
us."
Gordon is a three-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion who has
struggled this year, despite winning three races.
"It's been an interesting year, no doubt," Gordon said. "It was
disappointing that we weren't able to just thoroughly enjoy and
soak up that victory. It was a great evening. We enjoyed victory
lane, but it took away from it quite a bit. That just makes us
hungrier to work harder and go after the next one.
"As far as I know, yeah, I think we did (get a fair hearing). I
was not there. I talked to Rick (Hendrick) and he said like he
felt they had everything they needed. Robbie (crew chief Loomis)
was there and Rick was there, and Rick felt like it went well. I
didn't expect anything any different. I felt like there hasn't
been one that's been overturned yet. Like I said, the decision
has been made."
Doug Duchardt, NASCAR program manager for General Motors, said
there is no rule against the use of magnesium, there was no
specified approval process and said it was not spelled out in
the rule book that other materials could be used in the
construction of an intake manifold. | |
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Jeff Gordon has already put the decision behind him.
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