Matt Kenseth stripped of 53 points after car fails inspection in Kansas

Matt Kenseth has been hit with a 53-point penalty after his car failed an inspection following Sunday's "victory" in Kansas.

Kenseth's Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota failed to meet minimum weight requirements, and he was stripped 50 points as well as the three bonus points he earned for the win.

NASCAR inspectors found that one of the eight connecting rods in the engine of the Toyota was too light, which has also resulted in heavy punishments for Kenseth's crew chief and the team owner.

Crew chief Jason Ratcliff was handed a $200,000 fine and suspended for the next six races, while owner Joe Gibbs also was suspended six races and will be prevented from earning any owner points during his ban.

Gibbs was also stripped of 50 points in the owner standings, and his licence will be suspended until his six-race ban is served.

Kenseth, who is now 59 points behind Jimmie Johnson in the Sprint Cup standings, was also stripped of the pole position he had claimed in qualifying.

A spokesman for Joe Gibbs Racing announced that the team would appeal against the penalties.