Penalties for Busch and Sauter

NASCAR issued penalties and fines to the No. 5 and No. 70

Both cars -- the No. 5 Chevrolet driven by Kyle Busch and the No. 70 Chevrolet driven by Johnny Sauter -- were found to be in violation of a much quoted, little seen rule book, Sections
12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing);
12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used do not conform to NASCAR rules); and
(So what happens when they hit 12-4-Z? Do we go to 12-5 or 12-4.1x?)
20-12.8.1B, COT Technical Bulletin #3, dated 4/10/07 (failed to meet the minimum front car heights) of the 2007 NASCAR rule book.

The violations were found during post-race inspections after the New Hampshire race.

Both drivers have been penalized 25 driver points.
Their crew chiefs -- Alan Gustafson and Robert "Bootie" Barker -- have each been fined $25,000 and placed on probation until Sept. 19.

Busch drops from ninth in 10th in the point standings as a result.

In addition, Rick Hendrick, owner of the No. 5, has been penalized 25 (more) car owner championship points as has Joe Custer, the owner of the No. 70.

Each driver's finish in Sunday's race -- 11th for Busch and 14th for Sauter -- will stand.

Bruce's Note:
And now it begins. Is this consistent with NASCAR's stance about COT penalties or is this realistic with the type of infraction? And why do finishing positions stand? In recent years, have we ever seen a position taken from a driver? Of course, has it ever been warranted? I can only hope that the day comes that they do find something serious after a race, that the position is taken away from the driver. That would then validate their web postings of "Unnofficial" results and point standings that they so diligently state after each event.