The # 11 Team of Denny Hamlin won't receive any further penalty for
"intentionally" bringing out a late caution in Saturday night's Dan Lowry 400 Sprint Cup race at Richmond International Raceway, even though there is precedent for it. NASCAR said Monday that there would also be no additional penalty expected against #55-Michael Waltrip for intentionally slamming into #5-Casey Mears after the two got into the wall with less than 50 laps to go. Hamlin was given a two-lap penalty for stopping on the track for a cut tire with less than 10 laps remaining. NASCAR officials believed it was an intentional move to bring out the caution and allow Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Busch the opportunity to close on then-leader Dale Earnhardt Jr. A spokesperson for the governing body said during Monday's test session at Lowe's Motor Speedway that there would be no further punishment.
In 2004, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was docked 25 points and fined $10,000 for intentionally bringing out the caution at Bristol. Also, in the 2002 running of the All-Star race, Kurt Busch was fined $10,000 for intentionally spinning out Robby Gordon to bring out a caution.
During Saturday night's race, Michael Waltrip was parked with about 40 laps remaining when he intentionally took out Casey Mears after Mears got into him a few laps earlier. Officials said the hit Waltrip took in points -- he finished 37th and fell a spot to 32nd in points -- was severe enough.
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