NASCAR: Carl Edwards fined 100 points, loses lead

NASCAR: Carl Edwards fined 100 points, loses lead NASCAR fined Sprint Cup points leader Carl Edwards 100 points on Wednesday, following the Sunday car inspections. Carl Edwards, who was leading the Sprint Cup after two straight victories, was dealt a huge blow on Wednesday, when NASCAR fined Edwards and his Roush Fenway Racing team with its strictest penalty yet - 100 points, as well as the 10 bonus points he would have carried into the Chase for the championship should he be one of the 12 drivers to qualify for the 10-race playoff. His Roush Fenway Racing crew chief Bob Osborne was fined $100,000 and suspended six weeks, and Jack Roush was fined 100 owner points.

The penalty comes after NASCAR inspection following the Las Vegas race on Sunday, when inspectors discovered the cover was off the oil tank on the No.99 Ford, which Edwards drove to victory. According to experts, opening up the oil tank trunk would allow the air to circulate through the car and create as much as 10% more downforce.

With the 100-point penalty, Edwards dropped from the top of the standings to seventh. Roush Fenway Racing is expected to appeal the decision. "This is classic 16th century punishment where you get your fingers cut off for stealing a penny. We've got 10 days to evaluate what we're going to do. I've got to take a look at all the recent penalty history," Geoff Smith, the president of Roush Fenway Racing, was quoted.

Meanwhile Carl Edwards is still one of the top favorite NASCAR drivers to win the Nicorette 300 in Atlanta this weekend. Edwards is sharing 5/1 odds to win at the online sportsbook BodogLife, along with Jeff Burton. Kyle Busch is the ultimate favorite to win the Nicorette 300 with odds 3/1.

Published on 03/05/2008