NASCAR penalizes Kasey Kahne, crew chief after Dover infractions
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}BRISTOL, TN - APRIL 15: Kasey Kahne, driver of the #5 Great Clips Chevrolet, stands in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 14, 2016 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)
NASCAR has docked the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports team after Kasey Kahne's car flunked post-race laser inspection in last Sunday's AAA 400 Drive For Autism at Dover International Speedway.
Kahne's crew chief, Keith Rodden, was fined $25,000; team was docked 15 championship owner and 15 championship driver points.
The points fine drops Kahne down to 20th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points standings.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In a statement, Hendrick Motorsports said it will not appeal.
"We had an unintentional issue at Dover when our left- and right-side truck arms were bent at some point during the race," said Rodden. "I'm disappointed in NASCAR's decision, but we have to accept it and focus on the upcoming races. We have a great team with a lot of positive momentum that we hope to carry into the summer."
Also, the teams of Regan Smith, Kyle Larson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. were given written warnings for failing pre-race laser inspection twice, while Chase Elliott's team got a written warning for twice failing pre-race template inspection.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The No. 23 team of David Ragan had an unspecified crewmember fined $1,000 for violation Section 12.5.3.2.1 a which pertains to failing to "properly wear or secure mandatory safety apparel or equipment (i.e. head socks, under garments, helmet face shields, shoes, gloves, etc.)"