Nascar hits Hendrick Motorsports hard with penalties

NASCAR levied the largest combined fine on one team in series history, hammering Hendrick Motorsports for modifying air-deflecting pieces last weekend at Phoenix Raceway. Hendrick was issued a combined $400,000 in fines — $100,000 to each of its four crew chiefs, along with four-race suspensions for the quartet. The Hendrick drivers were docked 100 regular-season points and 10 playoffs points each. Team driver William Byron has won back-to-back races, and Alex Bowman was the Cup Series points leader prior to his 100-point deduction. Car owner Rick Hendrick said it would appeal the decision.