The president of Joe Gibbs Racing, Dave Alpern, has unleashed a volley of criticism at NASCAR’s decision to penalize his team with a $100,000 fine and a substantial point deduction. This follows an alleged modification to the spoiler of the No. 19 Toyota, driven by Chase Briscoe, during the 2025 season opener.
Briscoe had kicked off his season promisingly, securing a pole position at the Daytona 500 and finishing fourth. However, NASCAR’s sanctions swiftly eclipsed the initial success. The governing body docked the driver 100 points and 10 playoff points for supposed alterations to the spoiler, a single-supplier component. This was followed by a hefty financial penalty for the team, and a four-race suspension for crew chief James Small.
Alpern shared his grievances on the L2 penalty during an interview with Sirius XM NASCAR Radio. His comments have ignited a heated debate within the NASCAR community, which is anxiously awaiting the outcome of Joe Gibbs Racing’s appeal.
The sanctioning body claims that the base of the No. 19 Toyota’s spoiler was tampered with, which could result in a reduction in drag, potentially enhancing the vehicle’s performance and top speed. This could be particularly advantageous at Daytona International Speedway, where drivers rarely have to lift due to the track’s high banks.
However, Alpern vehemently denied these allegations. He argues that the spoiler was installed legally and passed all inspections before and after the race. He explained that any misalignment of the screw holes was a result of imperfect installation, not an attempt to modify the part.
The controversy echoes a similar incident in 2022 when NASCAR penalized Kevin Harvick and his team for modifying a single-source part. The punishment resulted in the loss of 100 driver and owner points and a four-race suspension for crew chief Rodney Childers.
Alpern accused NASCAR of recycling the same justification used in Harvick’s case, stating that other teams’ spoilers would likely reveal similar variations in the holes. However, the outcome of Joe Gibbs Racing’s appeal remains uncertain. As it stands, Briscoe is in the red by 67 points and trails leader Ryan Blaney by a whopping 118 points after just two races.
Despite the daunting task ahead, Briscoe remains optimistic. He expressed his excitement for the season and his belief in his ability to win a championship. However, his performance at the 2025 AmBetter Health 400 has raised questions. After a strong race at Daytona International Speedway, Briscoe’s pace at Atlanta couldn’t match, posing questions about the impact of the controversial spoiler.
The L2 level penalty has certainly cast a shadow over Briscoe’s chances of clinching the Bill France Cup at Phoenix Raceway. However, in the world of NASCAR, it’s never too soon to write off any driver’s championship aspirations.