DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The National Motorsports Final Appeals Officer upheld part of a Nov. 22 penalty against NASCAR Xfinity Series driver and team owner Mike Harmon, but rescinded other parts of the penalty.
Harmon was penalized for an unauthorized test during an event at North Carolina’s Rockingham Speedway late last year. He was initially fined $50,000, penalized with the loss of 75 driver and owner points and crew chief Ryan Bell was suspended for six races.
Final Appeal Officer Roger Werner chose to rescind the $50,000 fine and the six-race suspension against Bell. He ruled that because of a NASCAR Rule Book modification made on Jan. 24, 2022, the decision by the National Motorsports Appeals Panel to uphold the original penalty was incorrect.
The Rule Book change meant the penalty elements could be applied on an and/or basis, so the fine and suspension were rescinded. However, the team was still penalized with the loss of 75 driver and 75 owner points.Â