Nationwide Chief Berry Has Penalty Lowered

July 3, 2009 3:33 p.m. EST

Daytona Beach, FL (AHN) - NASCAR Nationwide Series crew chief Bryan Berry, recently suspended indefinitely, had his penalty reduced by NASCAR.

Berry was suspended for allegedly marking racial slurs in a race at the Nashville Superspeedway. He's the crew chief for Brendan Gaughan's No. 62 Chevrolet.

"We were very aggressive with him. NASCAR is very much zero tolerance on any racial discrimination,'' said NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France. "The penalty matches the crime.''

The suspension initially fell under Section 12-1, actions detrimental to stock car racing; involved in an altercation with another team, but the suspension will be lifted effective July 7.

France said Berry attended a sensitive evaluation, will serve community service and his probation will continue until Dec. 31.