Was Clint Bowyer's Penalty Just Another Storyline in NASCAR Soap Opera?

After a dominating victory on Sunday at the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire, Clint Bowyer was docked 150 points for having a car that did not pass post race inspection. Along with the 150 driver points being taken, Richard Childress was docked 150 owner points and crew chief Shane Wilson was suspended six races and fined $150,000.

Boyer started the race 12th in the point standings, being the last driver admitted into the Chase.  After the victory, Boyer was sling-shotted to first in points, after leading 177 of the 300 laps. 

There has been speculation as to why the car did not make post-race specs, one of which was the car's left rear was higher due to a bump by a tow truck heading to victory lane. My personal view is that the car had too many Wheaties, and not Cheerios before the race.

Was this harsh penalty just a penalty, or was it that late race caution after a 150 green flag run to make the finish more exciting?

One is a bit curious by this harsh smack in the face by taking such a harsh penalty on such an underdog driver.  Is NASCAR trying to bring back in a more popular driver, such as Jimmie Johnson, to win the Chase to promote a better headline for the sport?

For years people have wondered if NASCAR was just another version of professional wrestling. One thing that bothers me greatly is why NASCAR dock a crew that had passed pre-race inspection so many points for something that amounted in less than 1/16 of an inch?  Rules are rules, but it seems to me that jeopardizing a driver's chance at a points championship is a bit harsh for such a tiny infraction.

It may be outlandish, but it makes me wonder if this was Hendrick Motorsports, would it have happened?  If you ask me, I would say no. So for the rest of the year, look for Jimmie Johnson to dominate the rest of the season and win yet another championship.