{"id":11429,"date":"2014-02-04T11:19:59","date_gmt":"2014-02-04T16:19:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tireball.com\/nascar\/?p=11429"},"modified":"2014-02-04T11:53:38","modified_gmt":"2014-02-04T16:53:38","slug":"nascar-announces-penalty-and-appeal-changes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tireball.com\/nascar\/2014\/02\/04\/nascar-announces-penalty-and-appeal-changes\/","title":{"rendered":"NASCAR announces penalty and appeal changes for 2014"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Getty
Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

NASCAR Executive Vice President of Racing Operations, Steve O’Donnell and NASCAR Vice President of Competition and Racing Development Robin Pemberton announced updates to the penalty and appeal process this morning.<\/p>\n

The first change is the name, NASCAR will now refer to the penalty process as the “deterrence system.”<\/p>\n

\u201cNASCAR\u2019s Deterrence System is designed to help maintain the integrity and competitive balance of our sport while sending a clear message that rules violations will not be tolerated,\u201d said Steve O\u2019Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president of racing operations. \u201cThis is a more transparent and effective model that specifically spells out that \u2018X\u2019 infraction equals \u2018X\u2019 penalty for technical infractions.<\/div>\n

\u201cAt the same time, we believe the Appeals process allows a fair opportunity for our NASCAR Members to be heard, and have penalty disputes resolved by an impartial, relevant group of people with the ability to handle the complexities inherent in any appeal.\u00a0This system has been tailored specifically to fit the needs of our sport.\u201d<\/p>\n

Former president of Gulfstream Aerospace, Bryan Moss will be the \u00a0Final Appeals Officer.\u00a0Moss will hear matters on appeal from the lower three-member Appeals Panel, and serve as the last decision on penalty disputes for the sport.<\/p>\n

NASCAR\u2019s Deterrence System<\/b><\/h2>\n
NASCAR\u2019s Deterrence System is easily understood and specifically lays out exactly what disciplinary action will be taken depending on the type of technical infraction listed from warnings to six penalty levels in ascending order.\u00a0Some of the Deterrence System elements include, from today’s NASCAR press release:<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
    \n
  • The system starts with warnings (W) issued for very minor infractions, then are grouped into six levels \u2013 P1 (least significant) to P6 (most significant).<\/li>\n
  • Lower P levels list penalty options from which NASCAR may select (fines\u00a0or<\/i>\u00a0points) while higher P levels are an all-inclusive combination of multiple penalty elements (points\u00a0and\u00a0<\/i>fine\u00a0and<\/i>\u00a0suspension, etc.).<\/li>\n
  • At the highest three levels of the system, if a rules infraction is discovered in post-race inspection, the one or more additional penalty elements are added on top of the standard prescribed penalty.<\/li>\n
  • Repeat offenses by the same car are addressed via a \u201crecurrence multiplier,\u201d i.e. if a P4 penalty was received and a second P4 or higher infraction occurs in the same season, the subsequent penalty increases 50% above the normal standard.<\/li>\n
  • Suspensions are explained in greater detail.<\/li>\n
  • Behavioral infractions are still handled on case-by-case basis and are not built into the W, P1-P6 structure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Penalties:<\/h2>\n
      \n
    • \u00a0P1 penalties may result from multiple warnings to the same team.<\/li>\n
    • \u00a0 P2 penalties may include but are not limited to violations such as hollow components, expiration of certain safety certification or improper installation of a safety feature, or minor bracket and fasteners violations.<\/li>\n
    • \u00a0 P3 penalty options may include but are not limited to violations such as unauthorized parts, measurement failures, parts that fail their intended use, or coil spring violation.<\/li>\n
    • P4 level infractions may include but are not limited to violations such as devices that circumvent NASCAR templates and measuring equipment, or unapproved added weight .<\/li>\n
    • \u00a0P5 level may include but are not limited to violations such as combustion-enhancing additives in the oil, oil filter, air filter element or devices, systems, omissions, etc., that affect the normal airflow over the body.<\/li>\n
    • P6 level may include but are not limited to violations such as affecting the internal workings and performance of the engine, modifying the pre-certified chassis, traction control or affecting EFI or the ECU.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      The track promoters will no longer be part of the appeals process. The panel will only be “industry experts.”<\/p>\n

      NASCAR warnings will now be “public” knowledge.<\/p>\n