NASCAR fans were in for a surprise when the Hendrick Motorsports team reacted to the news of Chase Briscoe’s penalty being overturned. The team’s response was succinct but spoke volumes about their feelings on the matter. After the update on Briscoe’s appeal decision was shared on social media, Hendrick Motorsports took to Twitter to express their thoughts with just one word – “Bruh.”
The decision to overturn Briscoe’s penalty came after a panel reviewed the case and found that there was no intentional modification of a single source part on his car. Motorsports journalist Jeff Gluck reported on the outcome of the appeal, stating that the panel believed the issue with the number 19 Cup car spoiler base was due to the process of attaching it to the rear deck, rather than a violation of the rules.
For context, Briscoe was penalized after the Daytona 500 when NASCAR discovered that the spoiler base on his No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota did not comply with the regulations. The initial penalty included a 100-point deduction for Briscoe, a 10-playoff-point penalty, a $100,000 fine for Joe Gibbs Racing, and a four-race suspension for crew chief James Small. However, the National Motorsports Appeals Panel ruled in favor of Briscoe and his team, overturning all penalties.
Joe Gibbs, the team owner, expressed his gratitude for the decision, acknowledging NASCAR’s appeal process and the fairness of the ruling. With the penalties rescinded, Briscoe moved up in the standings to 15th place with 72 points, putting him back in contention and restoring Joe Gibbs Racing’s lost owner points.
Following the announcement, Chase Briscoe took to social media to share his relief and gratitude. He thanked NASCAR for allowing the appeal process and praised his team for their hard work in fighting the penalty. Briscoe’s points were restored, his team cleared of any fines or suspensions, and his crew chief, James Small, was reinstated for the upcoming race at Phoenix Raceway.
The appeals panel, consisting of Dixon Johnston, Hunter Nickell, and Cathy Rice, made the final decision, leaving NASCAR with no further recourse to challenge the ruling. Briscoe’s reinstatement marked a turning point in his season, propelling him from 40th to 15th in the Cup Series standings and setting the stage for an exciting comeback in the races to come.
