NASCAR has issued an L-3 Level penalty to Chase Briscoe and Stewart-Haas Racing following the discovery of a counterfeit part in the team’s No. 14 Ford Mustang.
The No. 14 team has been docked 120 driver and owner points, 25 playoff points if Briscoe and the team lock themselves into the postseason, and a $250,000 fine and six-race suspension to crew chief John Klausmeier.
According to the penalty grid issued by NASCAR, the team violated multiple sections of the NASCAR Rule Book. That includes Section 14.1F, which prohibits counterfeiting a Next Gen single source vendor-supplied part, along with Section 14.6.A Underwing, and 14.6.3B Engine Panel Assembly.
The engine panel assembly rule specifically notes that the engine panel NACA duct must be used and must remain unobstructed.
NACA ducts are single-source supplied parts for the Next Gen car and may not be modified or counterfeited. The NASCAR Rule Book spells out the location for these ducts, on the left and right side windows, which are used to help cool the car.
Modifying, counterfeiting or tightening the ducts can create more downforce on the race car.
Briscoe finished 20th in Monday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway.
NEWS: The No. 14 team has been issued an L3-level penalty for counterfeiting a Next Gen part.
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 31, 2023
The penalty is a loss of 120 driver and owner points, 25 NASCAR Playoff points, a six-race crew chief suspension and a $250,000 fine. pic.twitter.com/RaAFrU9O8q
Stewart-Haas Racing released a statement after Wednesday’s penalty announcement.
“We had a quality control lapse and a part that never should’ve been on a car going to the race track ended up on the No. 14 car at Charlotte. We accept NASCAR’s decision and will not appeal.”
Following the race, Briscoe was originally 17th on the playoff grid, four points of the 16th and final spot.
After the points reduction, Briscoe drops to 32nd in the standings with 12 races left in the regular season.