Clint Bowyer Docked 25 Points, Crew Chief Suspended for Inspection Infraction

NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer has been docked 25 points in the Chase for the Sprint Cup because of an inspection infraction prior to qualifying for last week's myAFibRisk.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway.

Bowyer's crew chief, Billy W. Scott, is suspended for the next three Sprint Cup races and has been fined $75,000 as part of the discipline, per a Wednesday news release from NASCAR's official website. ESPN's Bob Pockrass offered more specificity on the situation:

Rob Kauffman, the owner of the No. 15 car for Michael Waltrip Racing, was docked 25 Sprint Cup Series Championship Owner points as well. The team plans to appeal, per a statement passed along by Fox Sports' Alan Cavanna:

Nate Ryan of NBC Sports reported on Wednesday that all penalties were affirmed and upheld following an appeal, per Nate Ryan of NBC Sports.

Jeff Gluck of USA Today analyzed the situation and how it pertains to Bowyer's Sprint Cup outlook:

This is a devastating development for Bowyer, who's now in 16th out of 16 on the Chase grid amid the Sprint Cup Challenger Round after placing 19th at Chicagoland. Bowyer has serious ground to make up to get inside the top 12 for the Contender Round if the 25-point penalty holds.

Absent a victory this season, the outlook doesn't appear promising for Bowyer ahead of Sunday's Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. One positive is Bowyer is one of only three drivers to win the race multiple times, having claimed the checkered flag in 2007 and 2010.

Between the points deficit Bowyer faces as it stands and his crew chief's apparent impending absence, he'll have to draw on his prior success in Loudon to overcome the adversity.