The penalties came with the stipulation that Gordon will be suspended indefinitely if he disrupts another event this season or NASCAR deems his actions inappropriate.

Gordon protested a NASCAR ruling during the closing laps of Saturday's race, when he was ordered to surrender his second-place position and move back to 13th. He refused and was immediately disqualified.

Gordon then spun leader Marcos Ambrose, an act NASCAR ruled was intentional, and Gordon was ordered off the track immediately. He refused, completed the final two laps of the event and celebrated as if he were the winner by doing burnouts and pumping his fists in the air.

The celebration, and his lack of contrition in a post-race meeting with NASCAR, got him suspended from Sunday's Nextel Cup event at Pocono Raceway. Although Gordon believed he would be cleared to race this weekend on the road course at Watkins Glen, NASCAR officials said they still were reviewing his status.

Gordon is a strong contender to win both the Busch and Cup events at Watkins Glen.

Four other penalties also were issued today.

Charles "Cully" Barraclough, crew chief for Stephen Leicht, was fined $10,000, because divider pistons in both front shock absorbers were not installed to specifications. Car owner Robert Yates was docked 25 Busch Series points, as was Leicht.

Paul Wolfe, crew chief for Patrick Carpentier, was fined $5,000 because the front springs were not in compliance. Armando Fitz, owner of the car, lost 25 Busch Series points, as did Carpentier.