One of the engines was going to be his primary engine in the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond International Raceway. The other two were his primary and backup engines for the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway.

David Wilson, of TRD, said:

We took every connecting rod in our inventory and removed anything that was too close for comfort.

The review revealed that one connecting rod in each of the three recalled engines was too close to NASCAR thresholds for comfort.

According to reports, the connecting rod in Kenseth’s race-winning Toyota was outside of the tolerances the manufacturer allows on weight before it was shipped. TRD employees missed it, despite the fact that the connecting rod came with paperwork that clearly stated its weight.

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Truex Jr’s No. 56 Toyota was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4J (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules); and 20-12.8.1B (the car failed to meet the minimum front car heights during post-race inspection) of the 2013 Sprint Cup Series Rule Book.

Crew chief Chad Johnston has been fined $25,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until June 5. Truex Jr has also been penalized with the loss of six championship driver points, and Michael Waltrip has been penalized with six championship owner points.

MWR issued a statement following the announcement of the penalty:

Michael Waltrip Racing is sensitive to working within the guidelines of NASCAR policy. This infraction clearly occurred as a result of a malfunction caused by race conditions. Therefore, we will not appeal. We thank NASCAR for providing a fair and equitable platform for all of its competitors and respect its decisions.

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The front of Truex’s car was too low during inspection. NASCAR took the car back to its Research and Development center in North Carolina for further evaluation.

Crew chief Chad Johnston said the shock would not rebound:

We tried to pull the shaft out of the body, and it’s just [stuck]. There’s something going on, whether it’s debris (inside) or parts and pieces of the shock.

JGR President JD Gibbs said:

We’ve been real fortunate to have never been in this situation with the need to find someone to fill in for an injured driver. A lot goes into a decision like this but we are really pleased to have someone of the character and caliber of Mark Martin to fill in while Denny is out. Obviously we’re not exactly sure how long that is going to take, but Mark’s career speaks for itself and our team knows it will have the opportunity to compete for a win every week.

Martin, who currently shares the No. 55 Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota with Brian Vickers, will take over driving duties in the STP Gas Booster 400 at Martinsville Speedway.

Martin said:

I’m happy to have this opportunity to help out JGR, FedEx and Denny. Hopefully I can keep those guys up front and compete for wins while Denny heals up.

Vickers is expected to drive the No. 55 while Martin fills in for Hamlin.

Update: Martin will only fill in for Hamlin at Martinsville. He will return to the No. 55 in the NRA 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. Vickers will then drive the No. 11.

J D Gibbs said:

Obviously having to find someone to fill in for Denny is not an ideal situation to have to be in and when you start a process like this you obviously begin to look at the drivers that are not only available but also able to drive for your race team and manufacturer. We were a bit premature in determining Mark’s status past Martinsville however. We’re real happy to have the opportunity to get Brian in our Cup cars and with him driving Nationwide for us we think we have some continuity there that is beneficial.

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Walter led the team to victories with both Hornish and Justin Allgaier; he also led both to fourth-place finishes in the N’Wide points standings.

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Martin said:

My goal is to make this car one of the most wanted rides in NASCAR for 2014. I want to help [crew chief] Rodney Childers get there and see him race for a championship.

When asked whether or not he would drive in 2014, he said:

It’s way too early to speculate on that. I really enjoy working at Michael Waltrip Racing. I’ll be around no matter what. But I want to do everything I can to get this team in position to race for a [driver's] championship in 2014.

Martin and Brian Vickers will split time in the car this season. Vickers could be a candidate for the No. 55 in 2014.

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On lap 312, as Bowyer went to pass Gordon on the inside, Gordon retaliated, turning Bowyer. Gordon and Bowyer collected Joey Logano, who was outside of Gordon, and all three cars hit the wall. All three cars suffered heavy damage. Aric Almirola spun behind them and slid into Joey Logano’s already-damaged race car.

After Gordon got out of his car in the garage area, some of the crew from the No. 15 Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota team came over to voice their displeasure with his antics. A melee ensued between the crews with people being shoved to the ground. Bowyer hopped out of his car and ran back to the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports hauler to confront Gordon.

NASCAR officials prevented Bowyer from entering the No.  24 hauler.

After the melee, the two drivers were summoned to the NASCAR hauler. They also addressed the situation.

Gordon said:

Things have gotten escalated over the year and I have just had it. Clint (Bowyer) has run into me numerous times, wrecked me and he got into me on the back straightaway, pretty much ruined our day. I have had it, was fed up with it and got him back.

Bowyer said:

I mean the racing — it’s just a shame. The last person in the world you want to get into anything with is Jeff Gordon on the race track. I mean, you’re down there racing, the track’s extremely slick, we’re all on tires — I didn’t even need to pass him. That’s the thing. All I was doing is riding around biding my time. The only thing I had to do is keep the 5 car (Kasey Kahne) within reach, so for him to act like that — I mean, I barely touched him and then I feel him get into turn three and try to turn me and he missed and then next thing I know Brett’s (Griffin, spotter) telling me on the radio that he’s trying to — he’s waiting on me. It’s pretty embarrassing for a four-time champion — and what I consider one of the best this sport’s ever seen — to act like that is just completely ridiculous.

NASCAR later penalized Gordon for violating Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) – altercation with another competitor on the race track during the race. He has been fined $100,000, docked 25 championship driver points and put on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31. Rick Hendrick, owner of the No. 24 car, has also been penalized with the loss of 25 championship owner points. Alan Gustafson, crew chief of the No. 24 car, was found to be in violation of Section 9-4A (at all events, crew chief assumes responsibility of his driver, car owner and team members) and has been placed on NASCAR probation until the end of the calendar year.

Bowyer’s crew chief Brian Pattie violated Sections 12-1 and 9-4A and has been fined $25,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31.

Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports issued a statement:

I’ve always respected Jeff for standing his ground. We also respect that NASCAR needs to police the sport and send a message when situations like this occur. It’s been a great year, and we’re going to put our focus on finishing in a positive way this weekend.

Gordon added:

I take responsibility for my actions on the racetrack. I accept NASCAR’s decision and look forward to ending the season on a high note at Homestead.

Michael Waltrip Racing also issued a statement:

The goal of Michael Waltrip Racing is to be a championship-level organization both on and off the track. The on-track incident which occurred during Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Phoenix International Raceway was extremely disappointing and brought raw emotions of a long and hard championship battle to the surface. Though we generally cannot control certain actions on the track, the unfortunate reactions off the track Sunday did not live up to the professional standards in which Michael Waltrip Racing expects all of its representatives to live by. We commit to our sponsors, our manufacturer, our fans and NASCAR that we will do so in the future.

See the incident here:

Harvick said:

I’m looking forward to finishing out this season on a strong note with RCR and continuing to build our program going into the 2013 season with the ultimate goal of winning a championship. Anything beyond that, once I know what my future plans are set, I’ll let you know.

In 2014, Harvick will join the SHR stable, which includes Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman, and Danica Patrick.

RCR owner Richard Childress wouldn’t talk about the rumor:

I’ve got a contract for 2013 and this is 2012. I’m not talking to you about nothing (regarding that).

Harvick has 18 career Sprint Cup victories, and has driven for RCR since his Cup career began, the week after Dale Earnhardt Sr was killed in a crash at Daytona International Speedway.

In 2010, Harvick considered leaving the team, but decided to stay in good faith. This time, he chose to leave because he thinks SHR will provide motivation that seems to be lacking at RCR.

RCR shrunk to three cars this season, after Clint Bowyer left due to a lack of sponsorship. Reports indicated that Bowyer had a sponsor lined up, but RCR wasn’t interested. As a result, Bowyer left to join Michael Waltrip Racing and had arguably the best season of his career.

Childress’ grandsons both drive in NASCAR’s lower levels. Austin Dillon is driving in the Nationwide Series, where he sits third in points. Dillon will drive the No. 33 in the Daytona 500 next season.

Ty Dillon drives in the Camping World Truck Series, where he sits second in points.

Childress is grooming RCR for his grandsons to eventually take over. While there is nothing to indicate that this has anything to do with Harvick’s decision, it is possible that it does.

Paul Menard and Jeff Burton have been struggling this season, with both out of the top 15 in the standings and winless.

Elliott Sadler, who drives the team’s Nationwide Series entry, is tied for the N’Wide series points lead. He will not return to RCR next season. He is rumored to be close to a deal with Joe Gibbs Racing. Ty Dillon could move up to the Nationwide Series next season.

Update: Stewart was asked to comment on the rumor. He said:

Well, it’s actually Dale, Jr. And (NASCAR reporter) Marty Smith is actually going to be in the fourth car. Yes, that’s where we are at. I will tell you this, when we have something to tell you guys, we’ll tell you. I’ve always said that. You guys can throw darts, but when we have something to tell you that’s different than what we’ve got going on, we’ll obviously tell you.

Update 2: Kevin Harvick is said to be taking Budweiser and Jimmy Johns with him to Stewart Haas Racing in 2014.

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Childers joined the team in 2008, and led David Reutimann to MWR’s first victory in the Coca Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2009. Together, Childers and Reutimann won at Chicagoland Speedway in 2010.

The No. 55 has posted five Top 5s, 14 Top 10s, and four poles.

Tryson stepped down from his position with Michael Waltrip Racing. Since then, he has served as a consultant for JTG Daugherty Racing. He was recently granted his release from that contract so he could join BKR immediately.

Tryson said:

I’m not exactly sure what the plan is yet. We’ll see as we go along. I’ve been asked to look around, assess the situation and see where I think they can use some help. Once I do that, I’ll know more.

BKR owner Ron Devine added:

Pat is obviously crew chief capable, but he’s also competition director capable. We’ll see where he feels he can be of the most use.