None of the drivers at the center of the fight on pit road received sanctions, but NASCAR penalized six crewmembers for their involvement.
None of the drivers involved in the postrace fight Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway were determined to do have done anything to warrant a penalty, but the same can't be said for the crewmembers who took part in the fracas.
NASCAR suspended four Hendrick Motorsports crewmembers Tuesday in addition to fining the crew chiefs for Jeff Gordon and Kasey Kahne. Drivers Gordon, Brad Keselowski and Kevin Harvick were not sanctioned, as was no one associated with Team Penske.
Of the four crewmembers suspended, three were from Gordon's team -- mechanic Dwayne Doucette, engine tuner Jason Ingle and hauler driver/mechanic Dean Mozingo -- with one from Kahne's team -- rear tire changer Jeremy Fuller.
Fuller, Doucette and Ingle were suspended for six points races apiece and fined $25,000. Mozingo was suspended for three races and fined $10,000. Crew chiefs Alan Gustafson and Kenny Francis were each fined $50,000 and placed on probation for six races for failing to control members of their respective teams.
Although they were involved, neither Keselowski nor Gordon was determined to have thrown a punch, which is why they escaped punishment. The lack of penalties is consistent with past NASCAR rulings. Marcos Ambrose was penalized in May for punching Casey Mears, while Matt Kenseth went unpunished after he charged and placed Keselowski in a headlock last month.
In a statement Hendrick said it would not appeal the penalties and would not issue any further in-house sanctions.
"With NASCAR's new Chase format, we're seeing an unprecedented level of intensity every single week," Rick Hendrick said. "Emotions run high when you're racing for a championship, and that's exciting for our fans and everyone involved with the sport. But there's a line the competitors need to be cognizant of, and we understand that.
"Jeff was rightfully fired up Sunday night, and it just reiterated to me how passionate he is and how much he wants to win. The No. 24 team is a group that works together and is loyal to one another. They have our full support as we go into these final two races."
Sunday's fight began when Gordon confronted Keselowski on pit road following the AAA Texas 500. Gordon was upset with a pass Keselowski attempted where he tried to split Jimmie Johnson and Gordon as they were racing for the lead. Keselowski and Gordon made contact resulting in Gordon incurring a flat tire and subsequently spinning.
As Gordon and Keselowski exchanged words, Harvick pushed Keselowski towards Gordon triggering the melee. During the scrum several Hendrick crewmembers were observed throwing -- and landing -- punches, including one crew guy hitting a Penske employee in the face several times.
"The actions that we saw from several crew members Sunday following the race at Texas are unacceptable," NASCAR vice president of competition Robin Pemberton said. "We reviewed the content that was available to us of the postrace incident along pit road, and identified several crew members who crossed the line with their actions, specifically punching others.
"A NASCAR championship is at stake, but we can't allow behavior that crosses the line to go unchecked, particularly when it puts others in harm's way."
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