Ryan Newman's championship drive took a hit before he even got on track at Richmond, the final race before the Chase for the Sprint Cup field is set.
On Wednesday, Newman and his Richard Childress Racing team were penalized 15 driver points and 15 owner points after the No. 31 Chevrolet failed the post-race laser inspection station measurements.
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Newman left Darlington 14th in the standings, seven points behind Jamie McMurray. Thirteen drivers have wins this season, and 12 of those drivers are locked into the Chase.