DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., May 1 (UPI) -- A NASCAR panel Wednesday turned down an appeal from Penske Racing, seeking to overturn stiff penalties assessed to drivers Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano.
The appeals panel instead upheld the points penalties and crew suspensions handed down last month against Keselowski's No. 2 team and Logano's No. 22 team for illegal parts found on their cars at Texas Motor Speedway.
NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said the panel -- composed of former NASCAR executive Paul Brooks, Pocono Raceway President Brandon Igdalsky and Bowman Gray Stadium operator Dale Pinilis -- decided unanimously to uphold the penalties.
The penalties were assessed after both drivers failed pre-race inspections prior to the April 13 NRA 500, resulting in race officials hauling away suspension mounting hardware.
Keselowski, the defending Sprint Cup series champion, was penalized 25 points and No. 2 car crew chief Pat Wolfe was suspended for six races and fined $100,000.
Logano was penalized 25 points while his No. 22 car crew chief Todd Gordon received the same penalties as Wolfe.
Car owners Roger Penske and Walt Czarnecki were docked 25 points.
