Nature’s Bakery Going to Court Over Danica’s Sponsorship; Other NASCAR News

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Nature's Bakery is vowing to fight Stewart-Haas Racing in court. The company says it won't be bullied by a $31 million breach-of-contract lawsuit filed by the NASCAR team in a sponsorship dispute involving driver Danica Patrick.

Nature's Bakery is among the smallest primary sponsors in NASCAR. It severed its sponsorship agreement with Stewart-Hass Racing and Patrick after the first year of a three-year deal. SHR responded with a scathing lawsuit in which it accused Nature's Bakery of having cash-flow issues and concocting reasons for pulling out.

Arris re-ups with Gibbs Racing

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Communications giant Arris has renewed its multi-year sponsorship with Joe Gibbs Racing and will serve as the primary sponsor for 22 races with Daniel Suarez in the No. 19 Toyota.

Suarez won the second-tier Xfinity Series championship last season. He will replace the retired Carl Edwards this season.

Revamped penalty system

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — NASCAR unveiled a revamped penalty system that could levy more punishments on race weekends.

Scrapping its six-level class, NASCAR moved to a two-level system where penalties assessed during qualifying or inspections at the track will be immediate and not handled later in the week.

Potential penalties at the track include loss of practice time, loss of pit selection, an end of field penalty and even the loss of track access.