Roush opts not to appeal penalties levied after Vegas

CONCORD, N.C. -- Roush Fenway Racing on Wednesday announced that it will not appeal the penalties imposed by NASCAR following post-race inspection of the No. 99 car at Las Vegas (read more).

Inspectors found that the cover of the oil reservoir encasement mounted behind the driver's seat was off, a circumstance that constitutes an unauthorized aerodynamic modification. NASCAR rules require that the cover be bolted securely to the encasement.

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As a result, driver Carl Edwards and car owner Jack Roush were penalized 100 championship driver and 100 championship owner points. In the event the No. 99 team qualifies for the Chase, the team will not receive the 10 bonus points for the UAW-Dodge 400 victory used for determining the seeding order.

Also, crew chief Bob Osborne was fined $100,000, suspended for six Cup Series events, suspended from NASCAR until April 30 and placed on probation until Dec. 31.

"We have conducted a thorough internal investigation and have found no evidence whatsoever that anyone intended for the bolt/nut fastener to fail to secure the lid for the entire race," team owner Jack Roush said.

"We have subsequently added protective measures to insure that the lid will remain fastened even if a failure of this type should again occur."

Roush Fenway Racing president Geoff Smith said, "We realize in the NASCAR system of penalty administration that simple negligence, by itself, is never sufficient grounds to overturn or reduce a penalty. Consequently, no appeal will be made of the penalties assessed by NASCAR."

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