Harvick stripped of win, points, for Las Vegas

[March 08, 2018]  Maybe Kevin Harvick isn't that good.

NASCAR on Wednesday docked the winner of the past two races for having an illegal car at Las Vegas on Sunday, a race he dominated on his way to Victory Lane.

The sanctioning body docked Harvick 20 points, stripped the playoff points he earned in Las Vegas (7) and took away the victory for the purposes of determining playoff eligibility because his car violated technical rules in the rear window and rocker panel extensions.

The eligibility question shouldn't be an issue since Harvick won two weeks ago at Atlanta and it would take him dropping out of the top 25 to even be concerned that would come into play.

But the playoff points are big, as drivers carry those through to start the first three rounds of NASCAR's 10-race elimination-style playoffs come September.

Also a big hit is the suspension of his car chief, Robert Smith, for two races. Crew chief Rodney Childers will likely be unhappy about his $50,000 fine. Harvick's 20-point loss also dropped him from atop the standings to third.

His team, Stewart-Haas Racing, can appeal the penalty and hope to at least defer the suspension of Smith, but they haven't determined what to do yet. They have three days to appeal.

"We're going to take the time and evaluate our options, and we plan to continue dialogue with NASCAR to fully understand the rationale behind the penalty," SHR vice president of competition Greg Zipadelli said in a statement.

--Field Level Media

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