NASCAR Drops the hammer on #83 Vickers team

Brian Vickers

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 22, 2008) – NASCAR has issued penalties, suspensions and fines to the No. 83 team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, as a result of rules infractions found on Tuesday during a Martinsville post-race inspection at the NASCAR Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C.

The car was found to be in violation of Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used do not conform to NASCAR rules); and 20-2.1-D (exterior sheet metal body parts did not meet the specified minimum thickness) of the 2008 NASCAR rule book.

As a result, both the crew chief, Kevin Hamlin, and the car chief, Craig Smokstad, have been suspended indefinitely from NASCAR. Additionally, Hamlin has been fined $100,000.

Driver Brian Vickers and owner Dietrich Mateschitz have been penalized with the loss of 150 driver and 150 owner points, respectively.

UPDATE FROM RED BULL RACING

Jay Frye, General Manager & VP, Red Bull Racing Team, in response to the No. 83′s Post-Race Infractions: “As a team we accept full responsibility for the infractions regarding the No. 83′s Martinsville car and will not appeal NASCAR’s ruling.  This approach to racing is against the values of the Red Bull Racing Team, and the necessary steps will be taken to rectify the situation ensuring it does not happen again. It is a privilege to race in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and we are taking this penalty seriously.  R&D Manager Randy Cox will assume the duties of interim Crew Chief on the No. 83 in Atlanta.”