HAMPTON, Ga: Joe Gibbs Racing driver Chase Briscoe conceded he’s been through a range of emotions in the last week after winning his first-ever DAYTONA 500 pole position. Then, his No. 19 team was penalized after further inspection last week.
In technical inspection back in Charlotte after the race, NASCAR officials found a problem with the Toyota’s spoiler, showing an illegal “modification of a single source supplied part.”
The penalty was a four-race suspension for Chase’s crew chief James Small, the loss of 100 driver and owner points and a $100,000 fine. The team is appealing the penalty, but NASCAR has not yet announced when it will hold the hearing.
Briscoe remembers getting the call that the penalty announcement was forthcoming. But he remained optimistic that once NASCAR hears the team’s case, it may be rescinded or at least, adjusted.
“If you don’t win the appeal, you’ve kind of used up your mulligans, you kind of have three or four times when you can have a DNF in the season and still make the Playoffs,” Briscoe said. “If we don’t win the appeal, I’ve already used those up and I won’t have any weekends I can do badly [in the race].
“I still have to win. If you want to be a championship contender you have to win a race anyway to get into the Playoffs and hopefully that’s what we can do.”
“I already feel like there’s a lot of pressure this year anyway, but certainly if my back’s up against the wall I don’t hate that feeling,” he continued. “I feel like I do better almost in those situations a lot of times. Hopefully, we win the appeal, but if not, we’re just going to try to go win races.”
Source: Holly Cain | NASCAR Wire Service
