NASCAR again upholds Bowyer penalties

CONCORD, N.C., Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Clint Bowyer and Richard Childress Racing Tuesday lost their final appeal of a 150-point Sprint Cup championship penalty levied against them by NASCAR.

NASCAR Chief Appellate Officer John Middlebrook said he had ruled that Bowyer's points penalty will remain. Bowyer won the first race in the championship Chase, held Sept. 19 at New Hampshire, but his car failed a thorough post-race inspection conducted at NASCAR's Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C.

The NASCAR official, however, reduced the suspensions for Bowyer crew chief Shane Wilson and car chief Chad Haney.

"After reviewing all the data, presentation and factors involved, I am ruling NASCAR was correct in its decision to levy penalties," Middlebrook said in a statement. "I believe that the revisions that have been made to the penalties are consistent and fair to both parties involved."

"I'm disappointed that the results are not what we wanted, but I feel we received a fair hearing today," Childress said.