NASCAR has suspended Carl Long and his Crew Chief Charles Swing for 12 races and from NASCAR until August 18th as well as being placed on probation until Dec. 31 from penalties assessed from last week's exhibition race The Sprint Showdown in which Long completed 3 laps before having to retire with engine problems.

Officially, "the car was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-I (any determination by NASCAR Officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules); and 20-5.4A (engine exceeded the maximum engine size of 358.000 cubic inch displacement) of the 2009 NASCAR rule book."

Swing was also hit with a $200 000 fine and car owner's Carl and Danielle Long were hit with 200 owner points.

I really wonder if the penalty would have be as severe if the engine were from a regular on the Cup circuit like a Carl Edwards or a Jeff Gordon?

I think NASCAR is using Carl Long as an example for other teams, the bench mark has now been set so everyone knows what will happen if you put a bigger motor in your car - so don't do it or else!

I guess the revenue generated from the liquidation sale Carl is having over at his web site will no longer be used to fix his car in time for New Hampshire but instead it will be used to pay off Swing's fine.

I hate to see what NASCAR would have done if this happened at a points race.

What do you think?