The old adage goes, “If you ain’t cheating, you ain’t trying.” In the wake of NASCAR going overboard with penalties and punishments, it is pertinent to ask: Is this what is meant when teams demanded transparency from the governing body regarding its allocation of rules? A case-in-point of recent has risen just weeks after the authority suspended Chase Elliott for right-hooking Denny Hamlin—and thrashing Chase Briscoe and team with an L-3 penalty, post discovering the use of a counterfeit part in the #14.

While some may beg to differ, veteran spotters like Brett Griffin and Freddie Kraft seemed to acknowledge the new approach. The issue of counterfeit products paved the way for important discussions on their podcast, Door Bumper Clear.

NASCAR’s veteran spotters take a sarcastic dig at the use of modified products in the cars

Denny Hamlin has been one of the most outspoken drivers in the whole of the NASCAR grid. He has always voiced his opinions about teams and also the authority whether they have taken any leeway and violated any rules. Hamlin in his podcast had revealed, “We’re missing facts, and it’s causing so much speculation in the media world and in the public that, you know, you really need to be transparent to show these people what all is going on.”

It seemed that the authorities received the message loud and clear. After all, it was evident when they exhibited Stewart-Haas Racing‘s #14 Ford’s counterfeited part to the media and public. NASCAR went to the extent of comparing the counterfeit and the original part to bring more depth to how the rules were violated. 

Appreciating the act of transparency from the authorities, the veteran spotters Freddie Kraft and Brett Griffin provided insights. Griffin expressed, “If you are Chase Elliott, you just got suspended, and if you are Stewart-Haas, you just got fined. Fans are like, ‘Well this is ridiculous.’ Well, they showed you why, and you just can’t argue against them. I love it. I am pro-NASCAR doing it!”

To this, Freddie Kraft asked his fellow hosts, “I’ll ask you guys both this question. In the field on Sunday, how many 100% legal cars were out there?”

“None,” Griffin said, and joked, “Just ours.”

But is it just Chase Briscoe and his team who could be accused of using unsanctioned parts in the cars? Owing to this speculation of the use of illegal parts in cars, Majors added sardonically, “I am gonna tell you that Harrison Burton and Ryan Blaney appeared to be 100% legal, and Austin Cindric appeared to be 100% legal.” 

The L-3 penalty is the heftiest penalty that can be levied, and it is reserved for the most egregious violations of the rules mentioned by NASCAR. The team as well as the driver were docked of its points and Briscoe’s crew chief Johnny Klausmeier was also fined $250,000 along with suspension for six Cup races. Amidst all the stricter implementation and authority coming out to the media with all guns blazing, Stewart-Haas Racing looks inward to instate some core team changes.  

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NASCAR authority hitting where it hurts; SHR announces major reshuffling within the team

With the chain of events that ensued after the painful penalty, Stewart-Haas Racing announced its major reshuffling of personnel within the team. Apparently, Briscoe’s crew chief from the Xfinity series, Richard Boswell is set to pair up with the driver.

Bob Pockrass confirmed, “In more SHR news: Richard Boswell listed on the roster as crew chief for Chase Briscoe on Cup side. … Listed as replacing Boswell as crew chief for Riley Herbst in Xfinity is Almirola’s Cup engineer, Devin Restivo. … An official announcement is expected tomorrow on these changes.”

With a multitude of rejigs within the team, the Stewart-Haas Racing team has been under the limelight with major announcements. While there are some major roadblocks that lie ahead of the team, Tony Stewart has his utmost faith in bringing the course in their own favor.

Read More: Dejected Tony Stewart Drops 5-Word Confession as His NASCAR Teams Continues to Underperform