by Lee Spencer

After Brian Vickers finished 11th at the Tums QuikPak 500 at Martinsville Speedway, the No. 83 Camry was selected as the random car to be further inspected at the NASCAR Technical Center in Concord, N.C., where sources told FOXSports.com that officials discovered the sheet metal on the No. 83 car did not meet the minimum thickness requirements.

According to sources familiar with the situation, the sides of the car — the doors, fenders and quarter panels — were too thin. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rule book states that teams must use a minimum of 24 gauge (0.025 inch thick) sheet steel for their car bodies. Also, the practice of "acid dipping or chemical milling," which makes the sheet metal thinner, is strictly forbidden.

One individual close to the situation said acid dipping would allow a fabricator to make the metal thinner. Once the steel is sanded and painted, it is nearly impossible for NASCAR to detect.

The four feet by 12 feet sheets teams use to mold onto the sides of the cars weigh approximately six pounds. It's likely that as little as three pounds per side and as much as 75 pounds could have been shaved off the entire car as a result.

Although the use of thinner sheet metal may sound inconsequential, this practice allows teams to strategically move the weight to lower the car's center of gravity and ease the car's steering — a benefit at most tracks where handling is key. One NASCAR official added that thinner sheet metal could also affect the overall safety of the car.

NASCAR has been extremely stringent when it comes to circumventing the rules on the new car. Although fines have remained at the $100,000 level, with the exception of Robby Gordon whose fine was increased to $150,000 fine in lieu of loss of points, penalties this season have ratcheted up to the 150-point level for drivers and owners. The No. 1 Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevrolet was the last team to receive the 150-point punishment after the car failed opening day roof template inspection at Daytona in July. Crew chief Bono Manion and car chief Gary Putnam each received six race suspensions.

This is not the first Toyota-backed team which has faced NASCAR sanctions. At Michigan in August, Joe Gibbs Racing's Nationwide teams were caught manipulating their cars to affect the accuracy of the engine dynamometer, the crew chiefs, cars chiefs and engine tuners from the Nos. 18 and 20 Toyota Camrys were suspended indefinitely and both crews were put on probation until the end of the year.

Vickers is currently 15th in the point standings and would not be affected severely from a 150-point loss. However, Vickers losing his crew chief Kevin Hamlin for a minimum of six races could have implications into 2009. Hamlin inherited a team that qualified for just 23 races in 2007 and finished 38th in the point standings.

Multiple sources said NASCAR returned the car to TRB after cutting off the sheet metal.