NASCAR Hands L2-Level Penalty to Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing for Daytona Infraction

NASCAR issued its weekly penalty report following Sunday's Daytona 500 on Wednesday afternoon, and included on the report were penalties handed out to the No. 34 Front Row Motorsports team, and the No. 51 Rick Ware Racing team, but it was a surprise L2-Level penalty handed out to the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing team that got the attention of everyone.

According to the penalty report, the No. 19 JGR team violated sections 14.1.C&D&S (Overall Assembled Vehicle Rules), and 14.5.8.A (Spoiler) of the NASCAR Cup Series Rule Book. In the notes on the penalty report, it states that the team modified a single-source supplied part.

As a result of the penalty, crew chief James Small will be suspended for the next four NASCAR Cup Series championship events, and the driver and team have been docked 100 championship driver and owner points as well as 10 Playoff Points.

Additionally, the team has been fined $100,000.

Joe Gibbs Racing issued a statement on the penalty on Friday evening, where the team indicated it intends to appeal the penalties announced. JGR claims the "modification" was actually caused due to wear and tear during the race weekend.

"Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) will appeal the penalty issued by NASCAR to the No. 19 Cup Series team today," the statement read. "The issue in question was caused in the assembly process when bolts used to attach the spoiler base to the deck lid caused the pre-drilled holes to wear due to supplied part interferences."

Additionally, NASCAR issued 10 driver and owner point penalties to Todd Gilliland's No. 34 Front Row Motorsports team and Cody Ware's No. 51 Rick Ware Racing team.

Both teams were found to be in violation of Section 14.11.2.1.A of the NASCAR Cup Series Rule Book, which pertains to Ballast Containers. According to the notes in the penalty report, NASCAR Cup Series cars are required to have any and all ballast added to the vehicle be secured inside a ballast container.

Unsecured ballast in both cars led to the penalties.

Photo Credit: Taylor Kitchen | Racing America