NASCAR fines Vickers, suspends crew chief

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Oct. 22 (UPI) -- NASCAR announced Wednesday 150 driver points would be taken away from driver Brian Vickers and his crew chief would be suspended indefinitely.

Crew chief Kevin Hamlin also was fined $100,000 after NASCAR inspectors determined that sheet metal on Vickers' car had been dipped in acid, making it lighter than required.

In addition, Dietrick Mateschitz, owner of the Red Bull Racing team for which Vickers drives, was docked 150 owner points and car chief Craig Smokstad was suspended.

Vickers' Toyota was randomly selected for a post-race inspection after finishing 11th Sunday in a race at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia. The inspection took place Tuesday at NASCAR's research and development facility in Concord, N.C.

The suspensions could last into the 2009 season since there are only four weeks left in the current campaign. The loss of points drops Vickers from 12th to 15th in the driver standings.

"As a team, we accept full responsibility for the infractions and will not appeal NASCAR's ruling," said Jay Frye, Red Bull Racing's general manager and vice president, who said the group was "taking this penalty seriously."

"This approach to racing is against the values of the Red Bull Racing Team, and the necessary steps will be taken to rectify the situation ensuring it does not happen again."