The difference between winning and...

One miles worth of gas...
Sixty thousands of an inch...

Not an awful lot...

NASCAR is a game of tight, tight tolerances. From fans tolerance for dull races, to drivers tolerances for each other, to Tech Inspection tolerances... 
 
Ever since NASCAR was formed teams have been pushing the envelope, taking a chance, seeing what they can get away with, and through the years NASCAR's "envelope" has turned into a "postage stamp".

When the "COT" was introduced teams were warned that they mess with the bodies of NASCARs newest race car at their peril. The "COT" was designed to stop teams manipulating the bodywork for aerodynamic gain.
 
Following a race NASCAR can take any car they want back to the R&D Centre for further tests to ensure the cars stay within the postage stamp. The Richard Childress Racing 33 car raced by Clint Bowyer at New Hampshire was found to be 60 very-small-somethings-of-an-inch outside of that postage stamp.

NASCAR had warned RCR the previous week that their cars were close to the acceptable tolerances and in NASCARs eyes the team did nothing about it. NASCAR picked up the rule book and promptly threw it at the 33's driver, crew chief, car chief, and the car owner, issuing fines, docking points, and suspending the aforementioned chiefs.

RCRs argument, the body could have moved when a driver made contact with the 33 car after the flag, or when the car was pushed into Victory Lane, having run out of gas. RCR have already said they will appeal the penalties that have dropped Bowyer from second to twelfth in points, and scuppered his chance at the Championship. If this is the case, what caused the car to be on the edge of tolerance the week before?

NASCAR have no tolerance for teams outside of the tolerances, and unlike the FIA, NASCAR know their own rules, and understand that to produce tolerable races, the teams must be kept within tolerances!

If you can't tolerate it, race somewhere else!