In an important decision on Wednesday, the National Motorsports Appeals Panel overturned NASCAR’s initial ruling regarding Chase Briscoe’s Daytona 500 pole-winning car. It was decided that Briscoe’s Toyota did not have an illegally altered spoiler, reinstating previously deducted points and penalties. The ruling has now restored 100 regular season points and 10 playoff points to both Briscoe and the Joe Gibbs Racing team. Additionally, Crew Chief James Small’s four-race suspension has been lifted, and the team’s $100,000 fine has been canceled.
Briscoe now finds himself sharing the 14th spot in the season standings alongside Carson Hocevar as they head into the upcoming race at Phoenix Raceway. They both sit just one point ahead of NASCAR’s Kyle Larson, who occupies the 16th position in the standings.
The panel stated that the elongated holes found on the number 19 car’s spoiler base were a result of the attachment process rather than unauthorized modifications. This ruling marks a significant victory for Joe Gibbs Racing and Chase Briscoe, who had faced the hefty penalties based on NASCAR’s initial assessment.
Joe Gibbs expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to present his team’s case under NASCAR’s established processes. “It is obviously great news for our 19 team and all of Joe Gibbs Racing,” said Gibbs, thanking the panel for their ruling and looking forward to the upcoming race in Phoenix.
Briscoe took to social media to express his appreciation towards both the National Motorsports Appeals Panel and NASCAR for allowing them to demonstrate their evidence. He also extended his thanks to Joe Gibbs Racing for preparing his car for his debut season.
The appeals panel, which made the ruling, was composed of Dixon Johnston, a former motorsports marketing executive, Hunter Nickell, a former president of Speed Channel, and Cathy Rice, former general manager of South Boston Speedway.
