Daytona Beach, FL (Sports Network) - NASCAR came down hard on Carl Long's
Sprint Cup team after officials discovered an illegal engine in his car last
weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway.
Long, the driver of the No.46 Dodge, has been suspended for the next 12 races,
placed on probation until December 31 and docked 200 points. Team owner
Danielle Long, Carl's wife, received the same penalties as well.
Crew chief Charles Swing was also suspended until August 18, placed on
probation for the remainder of the year and fined a record $200,000.
NASCAR said in a news release that Long's engine "exceeded the maximum engine
size of 358-cubic inch displacement."
Long suffered engine failure during Friday's practice for the Sprint Showdown.
He had to start from the rear of the 35-car field in the 40-lap preliminary
race due to an engine change.
He finished last after his motor expired on the fourth lap.
Long has made 23 career Cup Series starts, but has not qualified for a points
race since August 2006 at Bristol. He failed to qualify for this year's
Daytona 500.