The Matt Kenseth Penalties

The bombshell was dropped this week that Matt Kenseth's winning car from Kansas failed its post race engine inspection when a connecting rod was found to be below NASCAR's required weight. The fact that an engine failed an inspection is jaw dropping. The resulting penalties may have been just as jaw dropping.

Consider all of the penalties are directed right at Joe Gibbs Racing. This is understanding since their car failed. But at the end of the day it is a situation they ultimately had no control over. TRD, the builder of the engines has taken full responsibility for the error, however in the eyes of all it is JGR that will take blame. Especially for the situation, the penalties rendered by NASCAR seem way over the top.

While it is understandable that NASCAR does not want teams messing with the bodies or the engines of these cars, the engines are the one part that teams usually will not have a way to mess with. To my understanding teams who buy engines from outside vendors are not allowed by the vendors to do anything with the engine outside of putting in, and taking it out of the car. So the idea that JGR did anything except put in a faulty engine is wrong.

According to some the issue that caused them to fail the inspection should have hindered their chances, and possibly caused a blown engine, much the same way Kyle Busch has had one blow in the past maybe. Without question JGR did not purposely alter this part that caused the failed inspection.

No matter how this ends JGR will suffer a penalty. In my opinion it will not be the one they were assessed. Joe Gibbs has already said they will appeal the penalties and not what caused the penalty.

I believe when all is said and done, and NASCAR looks at this subjectively and not like they're trying to make an example of the 20 team, the penalties will be reduced. I think it would be a surprise, as well as a shame if the harsh penalty for a situation that was out of pretty much everyone at JGR's hands is upheld after appeal.