Edwards Penalized 25 Points; Is It Fair?

Carl Edwards was penalized 25 precious Nextel Cup points Tuesday for failing the postrace inspection on Sunday following his victory in Dover.

The loss of 25 points dropped Edwards from 3rd to 6th in The Chase.

The penalty also included a fine of $25,000 and Edwards' crew chief Bob Osborne being put on probation until the end of the year.

I don't believe the penalties are too harsh. They are inline with other penalties for similar infractions. Johnny Sauter and Kyle Busch received the same penalty earlier this season. Because Edwards is in the heat of a championship run the docking of points seems to sting more. Edwards vows to pick up the pieces with his Roush Fenway Racing Team and move on to the final stretch of races.

UPDATED POINTS STANDINGS

1.
Jeff Gordon
5,340

2.
Tony Stewart
5,338

3.
Jimmie Johnson
5,336

4.
Kyle Busch
5,330

5.
Clint Bowyer
5,322

6.
Carl Edwards
5,312

7.
Martin Truex Jr.
5,294

8.
Jeff Burton
5,265

9.
Kevin Harvick
5,225

10.
Matt Kenseth
5,224

11.
Kurt Busch
5,189

12.
Denny Hamlin
5,182