Richard Childress Racing appealed NASCAR's penalties against Ryan Newman's team to the highest level on Friday, and crew chief Luke Lambert was eligible to return to work at Bristol Motor Speedway. RCR made the move a day after losing its bid to overturn penalties levied against Newman's team for allegedly manipulating tires at a race last month at California. Although a three-person appeals panel reduced some of the sanctions, the six-week suspensions for crew chief Luke Lambert and two other team members were upheld. RCR sent Todd Parrott to Bristol on Friday as interim crew chief for Newman, but the decision to take the case to Final Appeals Officer Bryan Moss means Lambert and the two suspended crew members can work this weekend. More...