NASCAR has elected not to take any action against Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick or Brad Keselowski following the wild melee that erupted at the Texas 500.
However NASCAR came down heavily on a range of crew members who played a part in the violent incident.
The pit road brawl saw Gordon’s crew chief Alan Gustafson receive a $50,000 fine and serve a probationary period for the next six NASCAR Sprint Cup points races.
Fellow Hendrick driver Kasey Kahne’s crew chief, Kenny Francis received the same fines and penalties as Gustason.
A host of other sanctions were imposed on the crew members for the #24 (Gordon) and #5 (Kahne).
Jeremy Fuller (#5), Dwayne Doucette and Jason Ingle (#24) each received a $25,000 fine and are suspended for the next six Sprint Cup points races.
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According to NASCAR, the trio were in violation of actions detrimental to stock car racing and a behavioural penalty for being involved in a post-race altercation with a driver on pit road.
Dean Mozingo, #24 crew member, received a lesser $10,000 fine and was suspended for the next three Sprint Cup points races.
“While the intensity and emotions are high as we continue through the final rounds of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, the actions that we saw from several crew members Sunday following the race at Texas are unacceptable,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR senior vice president/competition and racing development in a statement.
“We reviewed the content that was available to us of the post-race incident along pit road, and identified several crew members who crossed the line with their actions, specifically punching others.
“We therefore have penalized four crew members as well as their crew chiefs, as they ultimately are responsible for members of their team per the NASCAR rulebook,” Pemberton continued.
“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.”
Hendrick Motorsports announced it would not appeal the penalties.
“With NASCAR’s new Chase format, we’re seeing an unprecedented level of intensity every single week,” the team said in a statement.
“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 cognisant of, and we understand that.
“Jeff (Gordon) 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.”
Keselowski, whose contact with Gordon’s car late in the race became the catalyst for the brawl remains under probation until November 12 after a post-race incident at Charlotte on October 11.
The final leg of the Eliminator round at Phoenix this weekend will see the Chase contenders reduced from eight to four.
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