Newman dodges penalty for Talladega inspection

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) NASCAR has decided not to penalize Ryan Newman for failing the post-race inspection at Talladega Superspeedway.

The Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet was found to be too low in the rear on both sides of the car after Sunday's race, and NASCAR brought it back to North Carolina for further inspection.

NASCAR decided Tuesday the car failed inspection because it was damaged during the race, so Newman avoided a penalty that would have stripped him of at least 15 points.

He is in the third round of the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship and goes into Martinsville Speedway as one of the surprises of the final eight drivers.