NASCAR upholds Penske suspensions

NASCAR rejected an appeal Wednesday by Penske Racing of sanctions imposed against the teams of Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano after the NRA 500 on April 13 at Texas Motor Speedway.

The National Car Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel upheld the penalties after approximately five hours of arguments and deliberations.

Team owner Roger Penske plans to appeal the decision to National Stock Car Racing chief appellate officer John Middlebrook, USA Today reported. Penske's final appeal will be heard on Tuesday.

"I can't make any comments, it's clear we have a process and I'm better off to wait to see that conclude," Penske said, according to USA Today. "All I can say about the process is it's fair and equitable. We had an opportunity to explain our case in detail. We will move onto the next step."

Penske cars driven by Keselowski and Logano failed a pre-race inspection at Texas and rear suspension parts were confiscated by NASCAR.

"As the sanctioning body, we have to uphold the rules and regulations in the rulebook," NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said. "The inspection process we believe in very strongly."

Keselowski and Logan were docked 25 points in the drivers' championship standings. Keselowski's crew chief, Paul Wolfe, and Logano's crew chief, Todd Gordon, received a six-race suspension, a $100,000 fine and probation. Car chiefs Jerry Kelley and Raymond Fox and engineers Brian Wilson and Samuel Stanley also were suspended for six races.