RCR-affiliated teams appeal major penalties

The #31 Chevrolet team of Richard Childress Racing and driver Ryan Newman have appealed a P5-level penalty, the second-highest possible infraction in the rulebook, that was given to the team following the Sprint Cup Series race in Fontana, California on March 22. The tires used on the #31 car for the Fontana race were found to have been illegally tampered with when they were impounded during post-race inspection. Newman lost 75 points and dropped from sixth to 27th in the standings, falling 11 spots off the grid for the Chase for the Sprint Cup, which starts in September. Newman's crew chief Luke Lambert was suspended six races, through Kansas on May 9, and fined $75,000.