Suspended crew chiefs get NASCAR warning

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., July 6 (UPI) -- Three Nextel Cup crew chiefs have been told to stay away from upcoming auto races or risk further sanctions.

The warning to Tony Eury Jr. of DEI and Chad Knaus and Steve Letarte of Hendrick Motorsports follows the suspensions and fines to the teams of Kyle Busch and Johnny Sauter this week.

Busch and Sauter both were penalized 25 driver points.

Their respective crew chiefs -- Alan Gustafson and Robert "Bootie" Barker -- were fined $25,000 apiece and placed on probation until Sept. 19.

They were found guilty of rules infractions connected to car parts and equipment at last weekend's race at Loudon, N.H.

Officials learned Eury, Knaus, and Letarte all attended the race at Loudon, and reports have said Knaus and Letarte attended Hendrick Motorsports team meetings on track grounds during the weekend.

NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter said there is a crackdown on the old mentality of 'If you ain't cheatin,' you ain't tryin'."

Eight crew chiefs have been suspended this season for rules infractions.