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Ryan Newman's deficit to Jamie McMurray now 22 points after penalty
Ryan Newman’s path to the 2016 Chase is much more difficult than it was immediately after Sunday night’s race at Darlington.
Newman’s car failed post-race laser inspection following his ninth-place finish. NASCAR said Wednesday that Newman and his team would be docked 15 points for the infraction. Newman left Darlington provisionally trailing Jamie McMurray by seven points for the final spot in the Chase via points. That deficit to McMurray is now 22 points after the penalty before the Chase field is set after Saturday night’s race at Richmond.
Remember, each position is worth a point under NASCAR’s point system. Drivers get a three-point bonus for winning a race, a point for leading a lap and another point for leading the most laps in a given race.
Thirteen drivers have won races in 2016, leaving three spots in the Chase open on points at Richmond provided a driver already with a win takes the checkered flag Saturday night. Chase Elliott and Austin Dillon currently occupy the top two spots on points and Newman’s penalty almost guarantees they will make it to the Chase.
Elliott is now 39 points ahead of Newman after the penalty while Dillon is up 31 points on his teammate. Newman can also get into the Chase if Chris Buescher falls behind David Ragan (and outside the top 30) in the points standings. Ragan trails Buescher by 11 points for 30th.
Newman’s infraction was officially a P3 penalty on NASCAR’s five-level system. Crew chief Luke Lambert has also been fined $25,000. It’s also important to note that this isn’t Newman’s first penalty of the season. He was penalized 10 points at Atlanta, meaning he’s lost 25 points to penalties this year.
Kyle Larson’s team was also assessed a points penalty for failing post-race inspection at Darlington. Larson’s penalty was a P2 penalty but considered a 15-point penalty for a previous lug nut infraction earlier this year.
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Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
