Both teams were 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 (all suspension systems and components must be approved by NASCAR. Prior to being used in competition, all suspension systems and components must be submitted, in a completed form/assembly, to the office of the NASCAR Competition Administrator for consideration of approval and approved by NASCAR. Each such part may thereafter be used until NASCAR determines that such part is no longer eligible. All suspension fasteners and mounting hardware must be made of solid magnetic steel. All front end and rear end suspension mounts with mounting hardware assembled must have single round mounting holes that are the correct size for the fastener being used. All front end and rear end suspension mounts and mounting hardware must not allow movement or realignment of any suspension component beyond normal rotation or suspension travel.) of the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rule Book.

As a result of the penalties, crew chief of the No. 2 team Paul Wolfe has been fined $100,000 and suspended from NASCAR until the completion of the next six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship points events (including the non-points Sprint All-Star Race) and placed on probation until Dec. 31.

Car chief Jerry Kelley, team engineer Brian Wilson and team manager Travis Geisler (serves as team manager for both Penske cars) have been suspended from NASCAR for the next six Cup races (including the All-Star Race) and placed on probation until the end of the calendar year.

Brad Keselowski has been penalized with the loss of 25 driver’s points, and Roger Penske has been docked 25 owner’s points.

Todd Gordon, crew chief of the No. 22 car, received the same penalty as Wolfe.

Car chief Raymond Fox and team engineer Samuel Stanley received the same penalties as Kelley, Wilson, and Giesler.

Joey Logano was docked 25 driver’s championship points, and Penske lost 25 owner’s points.

Penske plans to appeal the penalties. Penske posted on its Facebook page:

Penske Racing received communication today from NASCAR regarding penalties they have issued against the [Nos. 2 and 22] teams. Penske Racing will appeal utilizing the appropriate NASCAR process. We have no further comment at this time.

Update: The National Car Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel upheld the penalties issued to Penske Racing for violations found before the NRA 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.

After hearing testimony from Penske officials and carefully reviewing the facts, the appeals panel reached a unanimous decision.

Penske will now appeal to National Stock Car Racing Chief Appellate Officer John Middlebrook.

Penske Racing owner Roger Penske said:

Obviously, we’re disappointed with the outcome. We met with the panel for over four or five hours. It was a good process. I feel we have a good case, and as we are allowed to under the NASCAR rules we will appeal to the next level. I can’t make any [further] comment. It’s clear we have a process. That’s why I’m better off to wait and see that conclude, and at that point I can make any other personal comments.

Update 3: National Stock Car Racing Chief Appellate Officer John Middlebrook upheld the points penalties and fines assessed to Penske Racing for infractions found before the NRA 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.

Middlebrook reduced the suspensions of seven crew members from six races down to two, including the Sprint All-Star Race. They will remain on probation until the end of the calendar year.

Middlebrook said:

After looking at all the facts and data and interpretations from the rule book, I have decided to uphold the original fines and points penalties. However, I have decided to reduce the suspensions of the seven team members involved from six points races and the all-star race to two points races and the all-star race.

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I have one good thing to say. That’s my team and effort they put in today in fighting back with the absolute bull that’s been the last seven days in this garage area. The things I’ve seen over the last seven days have me questioning everything that I believe in, and I’m not happy about it. I don’t have anything positive to say and I probably should just leave it at that.

But, Keselowski didn’t. He continued:

There’s so much stuff going on … you have no f—— idea what’s going on. And that’s not your fault and that’s not a slam on you. I could tell you there’s nobody, no team in this garage with the integrity of the 2 team. And the way we’ve been treated over the last seven days is absolutely shameful. I feel like we’ve been targeted over the last seven days more than I’ve ever seen a team targeted. But my guys kept their heads on straight and they showcased why they are a winning team and championship team. We’re not going to take it. We’re not going to be treated this way.

Keselowski added that he was worried about losing crew chief Paul Wolfe, as part of NASCAR’s penalty.

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NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton said:

We’re taking (rear-end) housing and some other things. & It’s a group of pieces that surrounds the rear suspension area. It’s just something that is not in the spirit of the rules.

Both Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano were allowed to keep their crew chiefs and starting spots for the race.

Travis Geisler, Penske’s director of competition, addressed the confiscation:

In pre-race inspection they felt like there was something that was a questionable item that they wanted replaced. We replaced all the parts in question. They have them all. We’re working through the process here as it goes to get through inspection. Unfortunately a little tighter timeline here than we’d like to be on, but I certainly understand their position and don’t disagree with where they are.

Hamlin was able to climb out of the car on his own, but he immediately went down. He was airlifted to local hospital for observation. He spent the night at Loma Linda University Medical Center. Hamlin was diagnosed with a fractured L1 vertebra.

He was released on Monday — and walked out of the hospital under his own power — and was allowed to fly home.

Dr. Jerry Petty of Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates evaluated Hamlin. Joe Gibbs Racing issued the following statement on its Facebook page:

Dr. Petty determined that Hamlin will not require surgery, but will need time to properly heal, which is estimated around six weeks time. Dr. Petty will make the determination when Hamlin will be able to return to racing this season. No decision has been made on a replacement driver for Hamlin during his absence from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

This news effectively ends Hamlin’s chances to win the Sprint Cup Series championship.

After his release from the hospital, Hamlin said he knew he was in trouble because he felt his back pop after the violent collision. He said he couldn’t breathe and is still having difficulty breathing.

Hamlin said that Logano has not reached out to him. He added that he made sure to give Logano plenty of room. But, he said:

I think he saw I was going to win and wasn’t going to let that happen.

For his part, Logano said:

I just thought we were racing hard, you know? It happens. You don’t ever want anyone to get hurt; you don’t ever want anything to happen, especially to Denny. We were racing really hard there at the end of the race. I wish there was a SAFER barrier down there, and I wish I knew before I made any comments on TV also.

Following the race Logano said:

He probably shouldn’t have done what he did last week (at Bristol), so that’s what he gets.

He later said he didn’t try to wreck Hamlin in “any way, shape, or form.”

Kerry Tharp, NASCAR Director of Communications, tweeted that “NASCAR will issue no penalties from last weekend’s events at [Auto Club Speedway].

While no announcement has been made as to a replacement, Elliott Sadler, who drives for JGR in the Nationwide Series, seems like a logical choice to replace Hamlin.

@keselowski sorry I couldn’t get close to you cuz your genius teammate was too busy messing up the inside line 1 move at a time

— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) February 24, 2013

Logano, who was Hamlin’s teammate for four seasons at Joe Gibbs Racing until he was replaced by Matt Kenseth, moved to Penske Racing in the off-season. Logano replied to Hamlin’s tweet:

@dennyhamlin I Remember when you were MY genius teammate. #LoveYouMeanIt????

— Joey Logano (@joeylogano) February 24, 2013

To which Hamlin responded:

@joeylogano inside line was doomed every 3 wide move that was made. Nobody who went 3 middle went anywhere

— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) February 24, 2013

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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After making the offer at the 2012 Sprint Cup Series award banquet, Penske said:

If he wants to do the double, I’d put him in it. We’ve talked about it before. I guess I made it official tonight.

But, Stewart decided to pass on the offer. He said:

As much as I would like to do it, we just don’t have the time to do it proper. The IRL is so competitive now, you’re not going to just show up like drivers used to do in the past and be competitive. These guys don’t leave anything on the table there. You’re not going to stroll into the Indy 500 with these guys who race every week and be as competitive as they are. It was a very humbling comment and offer that he made, for sure.

He added:

I’m very humbled by the fact that he offered it to us. It’s a great opportunity, but it’s very hard when you’re running three Cup teams right now and the obligations that we have making sure that we’re doing the right things, we have a lot of people that depend on us. And, it’s kind of like being at Thanksgiving dinner. My plate is finally full. I don’t know if I can add anymore to what I have right now.

Stewart did, however, leave the door open to doing it in the future, if the offer still stands.

Kligerman drove for Penske Racing in the Nationwide Series before being released in favor of Ryan Blaney. He drove for Brad Keselowski Racing in the Camping World Truck Series before being released from that ride in favor of Blaney.

He won the fred’s 250 Powered By Coca-Cola at Talladega Superspeedway driving for Red Horse Racing.

KBM may also field a Camping World Truck Series entry for Darrell Wallace Jr.

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Hornish finished fourth in the Nationwide Series standings, with 10 top 5 s and 22 top 10s.

Erwin also led Greg Biffle to five wins at Roush Fenway Racing, and three consecutive Chase berths before being replaced at RFR.

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