NASCAR Nationwide Series: Richard Childress Racing, Turner Motorsports Receive Light Penalties

In the latest NASCAR penalty head-scratcher, the six Nationwide Series teams who were found to have illegally modified their front upper bumper covers at Richmond all escaped without a serious penalty on Tuesday.

NASCAR said the crew chiefs and car chiefs from the three Richard Childress Racing cars – including points leader Elliott Sadler and third-place Austin Dillon – and three Turner Motorsports cars were placed on probation until the end of the season, and the crew chiefs were each fined $10,000.

Two major Nationwide Series race teams, whose drivers include points leader Elliott Sadler and third-place Austin Dillon, are expected to receive penalties from NASCAR today that could change the face of this season’s championship battle.

Sadler currently leads 2011 Nationwide Series champ Ricky Stenhouse Jr. by two points in a tight race, with Dillon 23 points back in third.