NASCAR hammers Ryan Newman, but penalties aren’t crippling

You don’t mess with anything related to the engine, tires or fuel. This has long been the edict from NASCAR, and if a violation is found the penalties will be unforgiving. That principle has long been the guiding force when infractions were unearthed and sanctions levied.

And once again NASCAR made its policy crystal clear Tuesday, when Ryan Newman and Richard Childress Racing provoked severe sanctions after officials determined the No. 31 team manipulated its tires during the March 22 race at Auto Club Speedway.

Among the penalties issued: Newman is docked 75 driver points, while crew chief Luke Lambert is fined $125,000 and suspended six races along with team engineer Philip Surgen and tire specialist James Bender.

The discipline was both heavy and just. However, aside from the monetary impact, the penalties aren’t too crippling.

While no driver wants to lose 75 points -- essentially the equivalent of two full races -- and drop from sixth to 27th in the standings, neither Newman’s season nor his championship hopes are all that diminished.

Although earning a Chase for the Sprint Cup spot was made more difficult, Newman can still gain playoff eligibility by winning a regular season race. Any victory in the next 20 weeks, and the man who finished runner-up in the championship last season will again get a crack at the title.

A year ago Denny Hamlin was subjected to similar penalties when inspectors found modified rear firewall block-off plates on the No.11 car. NASCAR took 75 points away from Hamlin and suspended his crew chief six races, but he made the Chase thanks to an earlier win at Talladega Superspeedway.

The caveat, of course, is that Newman must win -- something he hasn’t done since July 2013 and never as a driver of the No. 31 car. His championship push a year ago wasn’t about winning and outright speed, but consistency and avoiding ghastly finishes that couldn’t be overcome.

Going forward, Newman’s gameplan to achieve a playoff berth cannot consist of being conservative. Simply satisfied with maximizing points week after week worked last year, but it won’t in 2015, not after Tuesday’s deduction of 75 points.

When the Sprint Cup Series resumes April 11 at Texas Motor Speedway following its first off week of the season, Newman’s sole focus is on winning and nothing else -- which may well prove advantageous. The No. 31 team can enact every gamble -- no tires, stretching its fuel mileage to the utmost limits, etc. -- and not concern itself with the ramifications.

The path facing Newman is by no means easy -- especially with the loss of three key crewmembers -- though it is doable. In the immortal words of Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis, “Just win, baby.” If Newman can do that, he’ll be in the Chase again, making Tuesday’s penalties a mere blip.