NASCAR reviewing Richmond race, controversial Bowyer spin

Nate Ryan | USA TODAY Sports

RICHMOND, Va. – In the wake of a controversial late spin by Clint Bowyer that helped put Michael Waltrip Racing teammate Martin Truex Jr. in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, NASCAR is reviewing Saturday night's Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway.

NASCAR Chief Communications Officer Brett Jewkes posted a statement on Twitter that the sanctioning body would have "no plans for further statement until that process is complete."

Because president Mike Helton and other high-ranking officials traveled Sunday to Iowa Speedway for a Camping World Truck Series race, the review won't be completed until Monday at the earliest. NASCAR usually issues penalties for race weekend infractions on Tuesday and Wednesday.

On apparent orders from his team according to in-car audio, Bowyer spun to bring out the final caution flag with seven laps left and Ryan Newman in the lead and headed toward clinching the final wild-card berth in the Chase. Newman lost the lead during pit stops, and Truex clinched the final wild card when Joey Logano, who passed both Bowyer and MWR's Brian Vickers in the closing laps, gained three spots to move into 10th and final guaranteed Chase spot in the points.

The in-car audio from Vickers' channel indicated he was told to pit under green, putting him behind Logano.

NASCAR's competition committee reviews all races as standard procedure.

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