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NASCAR defers suspension of Martin Truex Jr. crew chief while on appeal

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during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Axalta ‘We Paint Winners’ 400 at Pocono Raceway on June 6, 2015 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania.

Chris Trotman

NASCAR granted Furniture Row Racing’s request to have Cole Pearn’s suspension deferred while being appealed, meaning the No. 78 crew chief will be at Las Vegas Motor Speedway today.

In penalties announced Wednesday, Pearn was placed on a one-race suspension and fined $50,000 for an improper roof flap discovered in Sunday’s prerace inspection at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The suspension and fine are deferred, but a 15-point penalty to the team and driver Martin Truex Jr. remains while being appealed.

A NASCAR spokesman said Thursday morning that no date has been set for an appeal hearing. It likely would occur early next week.

Pearn already was on probation through the end of the year after an infraction was discovered on the No. 78’s roof flap before Daytona 500 qualifying.

In a Wednesday afternoon release, the team said there was no performance advantage from the Atlanta violation, and that it was immediately corrected. Furniture Row Racing president Joe Garone told SiriusXM NASCAR’s Dave Moody in an interview that the team mistakenly had used an unapproved spring part installing the roof flap.