Photo Credit: Noel Lanier
NASCAR announced on Wednesday, November 4 that Matt Kenseth’s appeal of his two-race suspension will be heard on Thursday. Kenseth will go before the National Motorsports Appeal Panel on Thursday at 9 a.m. in Concord, North Carolina.
NASCAR also added that should Kenseth lose the appeal and choose to go to the next level in appealing to the Final Appeal Officer Brian Moss, that would be heard on Thursday afternoon.
NASCAR announced on Tuesday that Kenseth would be suspended for the two next races and placed on NASCAR probation through the next six months for spinning Joey Logano at Martinsville.
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“Based upon our extensive review, we have concluded that the No. 20 car driver, who is no longer in the Chase, intentionally wrecked the No. 22 car driver, a Chase-eligible competitor who was leading the race at the time,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. “The No. 20 car was nine laps down, and eliminated the No. 22 car’s opportunity to continue to compete in the race.
“Additionally, we factored aspects of safety into our decision, and also the fact that the new Chase elimination format puts a premium on each and every race. These actions have no place in NASCAR.”
Joe Gibbs Racing immediately released a statement following the penalty that they would be appealing the suspension.
“Joe Gibbs Racing announces today that driver Matt Kenseth will appeal the penalty issued by NASCAR,” the statement read. “The appeal will challenge the severity of the penalty which is believed to be inconsistent with previous penalties for similar on-track incidents. There will be no further comments from JGR personnel during the appeal process.”
JGR has yet to release officially who will drive the No. 20 car if Kenseth remains suspended, but NBC Sports reported following the penalty release that Erik Jones would fill in.
