Both Penske Racing teams in the Sprint Cup Series — the No. 2 Ford team with driver Brad Keselowski and the No. 22 Ford team with driver Logano — were fined for suspension issues. The rules NASCAR cited as being violated included section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing), 12-4J (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules) and 20-12 (all suspension systems and components must be approved by NASCAR. Prior to being used in competition, all suspension systems and components must be submitted, in a completed form/assembly, to the office of the NASCAR Competition Administrator for consideration of approval and approved by NASCAR. Each such part may thereafter be used until NASCAR determines that such part is no longer eligible. All suspension fasteners and mounting hardware must be made of solid magnetic steel. All front end and rear end suspension mounts with mounting hardware assembled must have single round mounting holes that are the correct size for the fastener being used. All front end and rear end suspension mounts and mounting hardware must not allow movement or realignment of any suspension component beyond normal rotation or suspension travel.) of the 2013 NASCAR rule book.

As a result of the violations crew chiefs on both teams — Paul Wolfe (2) and Todd Gordon (22) — have been fined $100,000, suspended for six races and placed on probation until Dec. 31. Car chiefs and team engineers — Jerry Kelley and Brian Wilson (2) and Raymond Fox and Samuel Stanley (22) — and team manager Travis Geisler have also been suspended for six races and placed on probation until the end of the year. In addition, both teams and drivers were docked 25 owner and driver points.

The unapproved suspension parts were discovered and confiscated by NASCAR officials during pre-race inspections on Saturday.

The No. 56 Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota team with driver Martin Truex Jr. in the Sprint Cup Series were also penalized. The No. 56 car failed to meet minimum height requirements during post-race inspection at Texas on Sunday. As a result the team was cited for violation of rules 12-1, 12-4J and 20-12.8.1B (the car failed to meet the minimum front car heights during post-race inspection) of the 2013 rule book.

As a result, crew chief Chad Johnston was fined $25,000 and placed on probation until June 5. Driver Truex and car owner Michael Waltrip were each docked six driver and owner points.

After the penalty announcement, Michael Waltrip Racing released the following statement:

“Michael Waltrip Racing is sensitive to working within the guidelines of NASCAR policy. This infraction clearly occurred as a result of a malfunction caused by race conditions. Therefore, we will not appeal. We thank NASCAR for providing a fair and equitable platform for all of its competitors and respect its decisions.”

NASCAR also handed down penalties to Ron Hornaday, driver of the No. 9 NTS Motorsports Chevrolet in the Camping World Truck Series, following his actions in Sunday’s truck race at Rockingham. NASCAR determined that Hornaday violated section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing. Altercation with another competitor on the race track during a caution period) of the 2013 rule book. As a result, he was fined $25,000 and penalized 25 driver points.

Hornaday was penalized for making contact NASCAR deemed intentional with the No. 54 Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota driven by Darrell Wallace Jr. during a late-race caution. NTS Motorsports has not plans to appeal the penalty. The team released the following statement:

“NTS Motorsports received notification of NASCAR’s penalties assessed for the incident involving Ron Hornaday Jr., occurring at Rockingham Speedway.  NTS supports NASCAR’s rulings and penalties, will not appeal and has no further comments.”

– Photo courtesy of Getty Images for NASCAR

Follow Stock Car Spin on Twitter @SCSblog or like Stock Car Spin on Facebook. Amanda’s also on Twitter @NASCARexaminer and has a fan/like page on Facebook: NASCAR Examiner

“We’ve been really working hard, trying to get a win,” crew chief Butch Hylton said.

According to Peters, it was at Iowa last year that his No. 17 Red Horse Racing team turned the corner.

“Last year, this race was a reset button for Butch Hylton and myself,” Peters said in victory lane.

Hornaday finished second. After his team had an issue getting his No. 9 Chevrolet full of fuel, Hornaday went into fuel conservation mode in the final laps.

“I didn’t get a chance to clean my tires,” Hornaday said as the reason for spinning his tires on the final restart.

James Buescher and Timothy Peters dominated the first half of the race. Buescher led 91 laps of the 200-lap event and Peters 87. The duo ran first and second much of the way until Buescher made hard contact with the wall because of a tire problem while leading on lap 135.

Peters inherited the lead and stayed out front until Hornaday got by him on a restart following a caution with 37 laps to go. Peters got back by, though, on the final restart of the race that followed a yellow flag with 19 laps remaining.

Matt Crafton finished third, Johnny Sauter fourth, and Justin Lofton was fifth.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images for NASCAR

– Follow me on Twitter @NASCARexaminer