Hmiel, Keller Penalized

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Drivers Shane Hmiel and Jason Keller, along with their crew chiefs, received varying penalties for their involvement in a garage area altercation following last Friday night's NASCAR Busch Series race at Richmond International Raceway, NASCAR officials announced today.

Hmiel, driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet, and Keller, driver of the No. 57 Ford, were fined $5,000 each and placed on probation until Dec. 31. Gere Kennon, crew chief for Hmiel, and Steve Addington, crew chief for Keller, were fined $10,000 each and placed on probation until Dec. 31.

All parties involved were in violation of Section 12-4-A (Actions detrimental to stock car racing: Involved in an altercation with another competitor in the garage area after the completion of the race) of the NASCAR Busch Series Rule Book. Kennon's and Addington's infractions under 9-4-A also included the crew chief assumes responsibility for the actions of his or her driver, car owner and team members.