DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Oct. 19 (UPI) -- The National Stock Car Racing Commission denied an appeal by Dale Earnhardt Jr., who was penalized for cursing during a television interview.
Earnhardt was docked 25 points and fined $10,000 Oct. 4, the day after he won the EA Sports 500 at the Talladega Super Speedway in Alabama. He cursed during an interview following the race.
A statement from the commission, which rejected his appeal Monday, said the driver had acknowledged that his choice of language was not appropriate and expressed his regrets.
The commission noted that NASCAR had issued repeated warnings about the use of inappropriate language during event broadcasts.
The points penalty cost Earnhardt first place in the Nextel Cup standings over Kurt Busch, who became the overall leader. Busch holds a 24-point lead over Earnhardt with five races left in the season.
