Kevin Harvick and Stewart-Haas Racing were given hefty fines for alleged modifications in Harvick’s No. 4 car.
More specifically, they were docked 100 points each, and crew chief Rodney Childers ended up with a four-race suspension along with a $100,000 fine. Childers responded to the news as “shocking” in a reply to NASCAR’s post regarding the fine.
Since Harvick is an outspoken figure regarding safety issues in the Next Gen car, there were suggestions that NASCAR issues hefty fines as retaliation. However, NASCAR President Steve Phelps labelled such news as “ridiculous” and assured of no vendetta against Harvick or the team.
William Byron regains 25-playoff points after appeals panel rescinded his Texas penalty
Stewart-Haas Racing has filed an appeal to the 100-point penalty and the $100K fine. Engineer Stephen Doran will be the interim crew chief b/c if they don't win the appeal, Rodney Childers can be back for Phoenix.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 7, 2022
SHR have divided to appeal the decision but not many fans are optimistic of it turning in SHR’s favour. They also compared the situation to that of Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron, who was docked 25 driver points and 25 owner points along with a $50,000 fine initially. However, after an appeal, the points were reinstated and he was issued a $100,000 fine.
It didn’t go well among some fans to see Harvick charged with a bigger fine than Byron. Some even suggested NASCARs favouritism towards Hendrick Motorsports.
So by this logic, it's worse to modify a single supplier part than it is to door slam someone on pit road causing their car to head in the direction of officials and crew members…
— Matt Frederick (@racedayeveryday) October 6, 2022
Only will win this if he drives for Hendrick
— Porkermurns (@Porkermurns) October 7, 2022
I honestly don’t get the point of having Rodney come back for Phoenix because even if they do get the penalty, he probably won’t be able to gain any spots in points https://t.co/fZfEHffwKX
— Austin Mongold (@A_Mongoloid414) October 7, 2022
what happens if they lose the appeal? bigger penalty or does it stay the same?
— carson (@Kole_Bosh) October 7, 2022
At some point they should say what piece they modified. I feel that if it got out that they got this penalty for modifying something that would positively affect saftey of their car, that would be a huge problem for nascar. More transparency please.
— William Kelly (@Williamtk525) October 5, 2022
Harvick was eliminated from the first round of the playoffs. But the fine would mean that he will finish15th 16th among the 16 playoff drivers. He was already 18 points behind 15th placed Kurt Busch but now he will be 118 points behind.