NASCAR penalizes Edwards for violations

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., March 5 (UPI) -- NASCAR Wednesday fined driver Carl Edwards for violations discovered during a post-race inspection at last Sunday's UAW-Dodge 400 Sprint Cup race in Las Vegas.

In a statement, NASCAR said Edwards was penalized 100 championship driver and 100 championship owner points, respectively.

Also, crew chief Bob Osborne was fined $100,000, suspended from the next six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events, suspended from NASCAR until April 30 and placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2008.

The penalties were levied after Edwards was found guilty of actions detrimental to stock car racing; having a car, car parts, components and/or equipment used that do not conform to NASCAR rules; and having any device or duct work that permits air to pass from one area of the interior of the car to another.

Car owner Jack Roush was docked 100 owner points.

The penalty drops Edwards from first in the Sprint Cup standings with 491 points to seventh with 391.

Kyle Busch assumed the points lead with 470