UPDATE: NASCAR states that no penalty announcement will be made Tuesday.
NASCAR was expected to announce penalties today, Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer, told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio on Tuesday morning.
What NASCAR announces could impact the Chase hopes for Ryan Newman, who faces a penalty for failing the Laser Inspection Station after Sunday’s Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. Kyle Larson’s car also failed inspection at that station after the race.
NASCAR typically announces penalties on Wednesday but this is a shortened week with the Sprint Cup Series racing Saturday night at Richmond International Raceway - the final race before the 16-driver playoff field is set.
Newman is seven points out of the final Chase transfer spot at this time. He could face a penalty for the inspection issue after the race. If it is a P2 penalty, Newman would lose 10 points. If it is a p3 penalty, he would lose 15 points.
Richard Childress Racing would be expected to appeal. Teams are allowed two appeals - one to the National Motorsports Appeal Panel and one to the National Motorsports Final Appeals Officer.
Last year, NASCAR announced on a Tuesday that it had suspended Matt Kenseth two races for wrecking Joey Logano in the Martinsville Chase race. That allowed Kenseth and Joe Gibbs Racing time to appeal. Both appeals were heard on Thursday, resolving the matter before Sprint Cup cars were on track that Friday at Texas for that Chase weekend.