FRM was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-J (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules); and 20-10.7J (unapproved modification to valve stem hardware) of the 2010 NASCAR Rule Book.

Crew Chief Steve Lane has been fined $100,000, suspended for the next 12 NASCAR Sprint Cup races, and suspended from NASCAR until September 15 and will be placed on probation until the end of the calendar year. Car chief Richard Bourgeois and tire specialist Michael Harrod received the same penalty, with the exception of the fine.

FRM car owner Doug Yates and driver Travis Kvapil were penalized with the loss of 150 owner’s and driver’s points, respectively. The loss of points drops the No. 38 out of the top-35 in owner’s points. As a result, Robby Gordon moves into the top 35. Thus Gordon won’t need to qualify on speed.

FRM acknowledged the penalty and noted that they will appeal NASCAR’s decision.

Team owner Bob Jenkins said:

We take the rules of this sport very seriously, and we support NASCAR in its enforcement of those rules. It was not our intent to put unapproved valve stem caps on our car at Pocono, a track where such a maneuver would clearly not provide any advantage.  We are conducting our own internal investigation to determine how those parts got into our inventory and onto our car last weekend. While we recognize we have to pay for our mistake, this was an unintentional, isolated incident. We plan to immediately submit an appeal through NASCAR’s formal appeal process as outlined by the NASCAR rule book.

Roush Fenway Racing lost three engines during the race, including points-leader Matt Kenseth’s. In addition, five Toyota teams had to go to the rear of the field after changing their engines.

Doug Yates, who oversees the Roush-Yates engine program indicated that a more conservative gear ratio could have prevented the problems.

Kenseth and teammates David Ragan, and Carl Edwards all experience engine problems, but their issues were all different. “Matt Kenseth had a piston problem in the first five laps, David Ragan lost a valve spring before the 100-lap mark and Carl Edwards lost a rod bearing on the last lap.”

Those problems were different from the ones Toyota experience.

The agreement keeps both sets of co-owners in tact.

Max Jones, co-owner and GM of Yates, said:

This partnership with Hall of Fame is a great stepping stone for the Yates organization. Through this partnership, we are able to continue the expansion of our shop and field another Sprint Cup entry.  We, along with Ford Racing, welcome Hall of Fame Racing and look forward to a very successful season.

Tom Garfinkel, co-owner of HOF Racing, said:

Jeff Moorad and I knew it would take time to construct the right model to improve our competitive position in the sport and we think we’ve come a long way to achieving that through our association with Yates Racing. We’re proud to be associated with Doug [Yates] and Max and Ford Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

The alliance between the two teams means that HOF will change from Toyota to Ford. Thus far, no driver has been named.

Menard will leave Dale Earnhardt Inc at the end of the season. Along with him comes his sponsorship (his father’s Menards store), and his associate sponsors with come as well.

Menard said:

This is a great opportunity and I’m glad to be joining the Yates Racing organization next season. I think a lot of what Doug Yates and Max Jones are doing over there building for continued success. I’m excited to be a part of their future and excited to work with Travis [Kvapil] and David [Gilliland]. You look at what Doug and the Ford Motor Company have done in this sport, they’ve created a lot of horsepower and hoisted quite a few trophies over the years. I’d like to help continue that for both of them.