Hendrick appeal

Drivers said a lack of information about the particulars of NASCAR deciding to rescind points penalties against Hendrick Motorsports drivers for using modified air-deflecting pieces at Phoenix Raceway made it hard to comment.

An appeals panel appeals took away the 100-point penalties levied against drivers Alex Bowman, William Byron and Kyle Larson, but upheld fines and suspensions for Hendrick’s four crew chiefs.

“I think there’s obviously some technicalities in there that go along with whatever happened, because I like I say, I don’t know the details,” Harvick said. “It’s really hard not knowing exactly what was said, which would make them like public hearings.

“That would be way more fun.”

Denny Hamlin called the decision “unprecedented,” adding, “I don’t think we should be surprised about anything.

“But, you know, it certainly was unprecedented for them to say it was wrong, but we’re going to change the penalty . ... Without a statement, without proof, without transparency, just none of us really know what’s going on.”

Hamlin has a particular interest in the partial aboutface.

He was fined $50,000 and docked 25 points for admitting on his podcast that he intentionally wrecked Ross Chastain on the last lap at Phoenix.

His appeal hearing is scheduled for this week.

Busch agreed with the unprecedented descriptor, but was dubious.

“Last year, a few guys got busted and they had all their stuff upheld. So, you know, for it to not be completely upheld this time around, I think shows a break in the system,” he said. “I guess it’s a matter of what you think you can get away with or how you build your case, how good your lawyers are.”