National Motorsports Appeals Panel Overturns L2 Penalty for Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing

It was vindication for Chase Briscoe, and the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing team on Wednesday as the driver and team score a major victory in a hearing with the National Motorsports Appeals Panel. The team, which was assessed a L2-level penalty following the Daytona 500 NASCAR Cup Series season-opening race weekend, saw the penalties overturned.

The initial penalties assessed to Briscoe and the No. 19 team were a $100,000 fine, and subsequent 100-point (driver and owner) deduction in the NASCAR Cup Series championship standings, and a four-race suspension to crew chief James Small.

According to NASCAR, Briscoe's team was found to be in violation of Sections 10.1.C, D, S of the NASCAR Cup Series Rule Book, which pertain to the Overall Assembled Vehicle Rules, and Section 14.5.8.A, which pertains to the rear spoiler.

NASCAR alleged that the team modified the rear spoiler on its No. 19 Toyota Camry XSE, which won the pole for the season-opening Daytona 500. The rear spoiler is a single-source supplied part, and per the NASCAR Rule Book, that component cannot be modified.

However, after hearing the team's arguments on Wednesday, the National Motorsports Appeals Panel concluded that the team did not violate the rules in question.

The explanation from the Appeals Panel was as follows:

"The panel believes that the elongation of some of the holes on the number 19 Cup car spoiler base is caused by the process of attaching that specific spoiler base to the rear deck and not modification of the single source part."

The ramifications of the reversal of the No. 19 team's penalties are massive. Briscoe and the No. 19 team will vault from a total of -28 championship driver and owner points after the opening three races of the 2025 season to 72 points.

Briscoe now slots in 15th in the NASCAR Cup Series championship standings. Prior to the penalty reversal, Briscoe ranked 46th in the championship standings.

If the Playoffs were to kick off this weekend, Briscoe would find himself inside the Playoff cutline.

This weekend, the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Phoenix Raceway, where Briscoe scored his first career NASCAR Cup Series win during the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season. The Shriners Children's 500 at Phoenix Raceway is set for Sunday, March 9. That race will be televised on FS1 with coverage beginning at 3:30 PM ET.

Photo Credit: Rusty Jarrett, LAT Images for Toyota GAZOO Racing