Team Penske Loses Final Appeal, Wolfe Out at Kansas

By David Morgan, NASCAR Editor

After a lengthy appeals process finally concluded on Tuesday, Team Penske lost their final appeal of their penalties on Brad Keselowski’s No. 2 team from Phoenix, meaning that Keselowski will be without crew chief Paul Wolfe this weekend at Kansas.

As a refresher, Keselowski finished fifth at Phoenix back in March, but did not pass weights and measures, failing the post-race rear wheel steer on the Laser Inspection Station. Keselowski’s finish was encumbered and crew chief Paul Wolfe was fined $65,000 and suspended from three races. The team was also penalized 35 driver and owner points.

Wolfe had already sat out two races at Auto Club Speedway and last weekend at Talladega Superspeedway.

“We are disappointed in the outcome of today’s final appeal hearing,” Team Penske said in a team statement. “While we appreciate the process that NASCAR and the National Motorsports Appeals Panel has put in place to resolve issues like this, we felt like the penalties received following the March event at Phoenix were unjust.  Brian Wilson will once again serve as Brad Keselowski’s crew chief this weekend at Kansas Speedway.  We’re happy to finally have this behind us as the No. 2 team focuses its efforts on another Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship.”

In addition to Wolfe not being at Kansas, Keselowski’s teammate, Joey Logano, will not have crew chief Todd Gordon on hand either as Gordon will be serving the second of his two race suspension this weekend.