Briscoe & JGR Win Appeal Of Daytona 500 Spoiler Penalty

Chase Briscoe's team successfully appealed its spoiler modification penalty from the Daytona 500. (HHP/Jim Fluharty photo)

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. – Chase Briscoe is back in the black after Joe Gibbs Racing won its Wednesday appeal of a post-Daytona 500 penalty levied to the No. 19 Toyota team in February.

The L2-level infraction for a modified rear spoiler was handed down following teardown inspection at the NASCAR R&D Center two days after the 67th running of the Great American Race. Briscoe’s Daytona 500 pole-winning car was one of two cars selected for post-race teardown from the season opener.

Any changes to the rear spoiler fall under the rules governing modification of a single-source supplied part, which include Sections 14.1.C&D&S (Overall Assembled Vehicle Rules) and Section 14.5.8.A (Spoiler) of the NASCAR Rule Book.

It led to a loss of 100 driver and owner points, 10 playoff points, a $100,000 fine, and a four-race suspension for crew chief James Small. Because of the appeal, Small’s suspension was deferred, and he has not missed a race atop the pit box this season.

With the successful appeal, all of those penalties have been reversed, and Briscoe jumps from 46th in the Cup Series standings – with negative-28 total points – to 14th place with 72 total points, tied with second-year Spire Motorsports driver Carson Hocevar.

The appeals panel which heard JGR and NASCAR’s arguments was comprised of Dixon Johnston, Hunter Nickell, and Cathy Rice.

In explaining its reasoning behind rescinding the penalties, the panel noted that it “believes the elongation of some of the holes on the No. 19 Cup car spoiler base [was] caused by attaching that specific base to the rear deck[lid], and not [a] modification of the single-source part.”

Briscoe took to social media after the success of the appeal was confirmed to express both relief and jubilation that he can look forward to fully chasing a berth in the Cup Series playoffs.

“Biggest points day of my career!” Briscoe posted. “We’re back!

“In all seriousness, thank you to NASCAR for giving us the option to show our evidence and (a) huge thank you to everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing who put in countless hours to [put] everything together.”

Team owner Joe Gibbs echoed the sentiments of his driver.

“We appreciate the process NASCAR has in place that allowed us the opportunity to present our explanation of what led to the penalty issued to our No. 19 team,” said Gibbs. “We are thankful for the consideration and ruling by the National Motorsports Appeals Panel. It is obviously great news for our 19 team and everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing. We look forward to focusing on the remainder of our season starting this weekend in Phoenix.”

Briscoe and JGR return to the racetrack Sunday at Arizona’s Phoenix Raceway for the Shriners Children’s 500. Broadcast coverage from the one-mile desert oval is slated for March 9 at 3:30 p.m. ET, live on FS1, the Motor Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.