THE SIDELINES : Racing Crew Chief Suspended

Roush Racing has suspended crew chief Robin Pemberton for 30 days for using an illegal engine part on Mark Martin’s winning car at the Pontiac 400.

Martin’s victory on Sunday at Richmond, Va., was allowed to stand, but the racing team was fined $40,000 and lost its championship points. The record fine by NASCAR was assessed because the team’s Ford was found to have an illegal 2 1/2-inch spacer on the carburetor. Spacers up to 2 inches are legal.

Team manager Steve Hmiel disagreed with NASCAR.

“We don’t accept the notion that it was an illegal part,” Hmiel said. “That is a gray area as far as we are concerned.”

Team owner Jack Roush has 30 days to appeal. If he does, a three-person panel would be selected from the Stock Car Racing Commission to make a ruling.

Hmiel said that Pemberton was suspended without pay because Hmiel was not informed that the 2 1/2-inch spacer was being used at Richmond and that Roush knew about it but was assured by Pemberton that there would be no problem.