Robby Gordon appeals

Robby Gordon is appealing the penalty NASCAR issued earlier this week that knocked the Sprint Cup Series driver from ninth place to 40th in the drivers standings.
Gordon, who owns and drives the No. 7 Dodge in the Sprint Cup Series, was fined $100,000 and his crew chief was suspended for six races after NASCAR officials said that his car had an unapproved front bumper cover that was discovered during opening day inspections for the Daytona 500. Gordon also lost 100 points in the Sprint Cup drivers standings.
The penalty would all but erase his eighth-place finish in the season-opening Daytona 500.
Gordon said he was surprised by the severity of the penalty.
“It was something that we didn’t build, we didn’t fix, we didn’t supply,” Gordon said. “It was a clerical error from the manufacturer, and all we did was install it actually on the race car. We’re going to jail for a crime we didn’t commit.”
Less than a month before the Daytona 500, Gordon switched engine manufacturers, and agreed to a partnership with Gillett Evernham Motorsports. He went from using Ford engines to Dodges and began receiving equipment and support from GEM, which has a three-car team in the Sprint Cup Series.
“It’s almost like you put yourself in a position that if someone steals your car and robs a bank, but because it was your car, you’re going to jail,” Gordon said. “I don’t think this is a fair penalty. We don’t feel that we’ve done anything wrong, and we’re confident that NASCAR will make the right decision.”
Kasey Kahne, who drives the No. 9 Dodge for Gillett Evernham Motorsports, said the penalty was outrageous.
“From what I’ve heard is it’s completely out of control for what he really did,” Kahne said.
Because Gordon is appealing the penalty and NASCAR has yet to respond to his appeal, Frank Kerr, his crew chief, will be able to work with the team for the California Speedway race this weekend. The fine will also be assessed after NASCAR reviews his appeal.
The standings, however, reflect his point loss, dropping him from ninth place and 48 points out of first to 40th place and 148 points out of first.
Ryan Newman leads the Cup standings after one race.