NASCAR rescinds probation against Stewart, Logano

[September 05, 2008]  DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Tony Stewart and Joey Logano will not be on probation in the NASCAR Nationwide Series after all.

A three-man panel of the National Stock Car Racing Commission issued a decision Wednesday rescinding the probation handed down to the drivers after the Joe Gibbs Racing team was caught trying to manipulate an engine horsepower test following the Nationwide race at Michigan last month.

The team used magnets under the gas pedals of the Nos. 20 and 18 JGR Toyotas in an attempt to keep NASCAR from getting an accurate read of the horsepower in the two engines.

NASCAR came down hard on the team a few days later, suspending indefinitely seven crew members, including crew chiefs Dave Rogers and Jason Ratcliff, who were also fined $50,000 each.

In addition, Stewart and Logano were each docked 150 driver points and placed on probation until the end of the year, while the Gibbs team was also stripped of 150 owner points for each car.

The team appealed only the probation to the two drivers, saying they had nothing to do with the test that took place long after the race had ended.

After reviewing the testimony presented during the hearing, the panel, including Buddy Baker, Jim Williams and commission chairman George Silbermann, unanimously decided to amend the penalties, removing the probation portions of both driver penalties. The rest of the penalties remain intact.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.