Richard Childress Racing files final appeal to overturn tire penalties

Richard Childress Racing is not done appealing penalties NASCAR issued the team for manipulating tires, as it will take its case to the highest level.

The team said Friday that it will file an appeal with NASCAR appeals officer Bryan Moss, whose decision is absolute. RCR is attempting to further reduce penalties that include a loss of 50 points for driver Ryan Newman and six-race suspensions for crew chief Luke Lambert and two other crewmembers.

A three-member appeals board reduced RCR’s original sanctions Thursday, restoring 25 points to Newman and cutting Lambert’s fine from $125,000 to $75,000. However, the suspensions remained in place.

A date for the final appeal has not been set.

NASCAR penalized Newman’s No. 31 team after tires taken off his car last month at Auto Club Speedway were found in violation. Officials have not stated the malefaction committed, but rumors have persisted since the end of last season of teams poking holes in tires to slowly release air pressure. Doing so provides a driver more grip over a long run and maintain higher speeds.

Lambert was to begin serving his suspension this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. With RCR electing to appeal, Lambert could return to the track for Sunday’s Food City 500.

RCR named Todd Parrott to fill in as Newman’s crew chief in Lambert’s absence. Parrott won the 1999 Cup Series championship working with driver Dale Jarrett and owns 31 career victories.

In preparation, Parrott traveled with the No. 31 team this week to a test at Kentucky Speedway. He joined RCR in December as its Xfinity Series competition director.

“Kentucky went good,” Parrott said. “It was good for me to go there and work with all the guys, the engineers and just to get three days of testing in. It’s not going to be easy by no means. This is a tough series and a lot of competition. I’m just looking forward to it.”