NASCAR penalizes Menard's team

Richard Childress Racing’s No. 27 NASCAR Sprint Cup team has been penalized after officials discovered irregularities with the frame rails on Paul Menard’s car in a post-race inspection at the Research and Development Center in Concord, NC.

Team owner Richard Childress and Menard have been docked 25 owner and driver points, respectively.

Crew chief Richard “Slugger” Labbe has been fined $100,000, suspended from NASCAR until Oct. 3 and place on probation until Dec. 31. Car chief Craig Smokstad and crew member Grant Hutchens have also been suspended from NASCAR until Oct. 3 and placed on probation until Dec. 31.

Menard finished ninth Sunday in the Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway. However, Menard was not the top-finishing Chevrolet. Kasey Kahne (third), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (fourth) and Ryan Newman (eighth) all finished ahead of the Richard Childress Racing team. Menard’s car was selected as the one for random inspection after the race.

Menard dropped one spot to 16th in the points standings after the penalty.

“We’re going to appeal it,” Childress told FOXSports.com “That’s all I’m going to say right now.”

If RCR appeals, Labbe will be allowed to continue his crew chief duties this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway.