NASCAR tire infraction results in fines, suspensions

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - NASCAR levied stiff fines against Front Row Motorsports Wednesday for using illegal valve stem caps on Travis Kvapil's car Sunday at Pocono Raceway.

Crew chief Steve Lane was fined $100,000 and suspended for 12 weeks along with car chief Richard Bourgeois and tire specialist Michael Harrold. Kvapil and car owner Doug Yates were both docked 150 points each.

The points deductions knocked the car out of the top 35 in owner standings, which means Kvapil is not guaranteed a starting spot in Sunday's field at Michigan International Speedway. The car dropped from 32d to 36th in the standings.

Team co-owner Bob Jenkins took responsibility for the "unintentional" mistake and plans to appeal the penalty. The violation was discovered following a rain delay in Sunday's race. Kvapil's rear tires were almost flat, and NASCAR discovered that the valve stem caps on the tires had been altered to allow air to gradually leak out - an act that would help the car with its speed during a long run.