By Caleb Whisler, Staff Writer
NASCAR has announced a plethora of penalties across all three national series from Dover International Speedway.
After teardown at the Research and Development Center in Concord, North Carolina, NASCAR assessed an L1 penalty to Daniel Suarez and the No. 19 team for violating Sections 20.4.h (Body) and 20.4.8.1.c (Rear Window Support Structure) of the NASCAR rule book. The sanctioning body found that the rear window did not flush to the deck lid on the car. As a result of the penalty, crew chief, Scott Graves, was fined $50,000; Todd Brewer, car chief, has been suspended from the next two Cup series point events. The team also lost 20 driver and 20 owner points.
Joe Gibbs Racing will not appeal the penalty. Wesley Sherrill will be the car chief at Kansas Speedway, while still determining the position for Charlotte.
The No. 14 team of Clint Bowyer was also assessed a L1 penalty after being found in violation of section 20.4.8.1. The rear window support braces did not keep the rear window glass rigid at all times. Mike Bugarewicz, crew chief, was fined $50,000; and Jerry Cook, car chief, has been suspended from the next two point paying events.
Stewart-Haas Racing is assessing whether they should appeal and released the following statement from Greg Zipadelli, vice president of competition:
“We had a minor part failure due to the heavy loads and track conditions experienced at Dover. It had no competitive impact, and our racecar fit all the templates and passed all the inspections throughout the race weekend, including pre- and post-race.”
Both drivers will not be scored for their respective positions on Sunday.
The No. 3 of Austin Dillon was found in violation of section 20.4.3.a&.d (Splitter) during pre-race inspection for a non-compliant splitter. Justin Alexander, crew chief, was fined $25,000 and Greg Ebert, car chief, has been suspended from the next Cup event at Kansas.
Kurt Busch was found with one lug nut secured in post-race inspection. Billy Scott, crew chief, was fined $10,000
In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Justin Allgaier, race winner, was found in violation of section 20.14.2.h for the truck trailing arm spacers and pinion angle shims not being in complete contact with the mating surface. Crew chief, Jason Burdett, was fined $25,000 and suspended from the next two NASCAR Xfinity Series events. The team will also lose 25 owner and driver points.
JR Motorsports will not appeal the penalty. Allgaier’s win will not count toward the NASCAR Playoffs. Kelly Earnhardt Miller, general manager, released the following statement:
“As a highly-competitive race team that challenges for wins each and every weekend, we’re deeply disappointed and frustrated in today’s ruling. We strive to produce race victories for JR Motorsports’ partners, fans and employees while adhering to the rulebook,” said Miller.. “To that end, the No. 7 team put on a winning performance in Saturday’s race and received damage on the last lap that we believe contributed to this infraction. We will never fault ourselves for that.”
The No. 3 NXS entry driven by Jeb Burton was found in violation of section20.4.3.a&.b during opening day inspection for a non-compliant splitter. Crew chief, Nick Harrison, was fined $10,000 and car chief, Michael Scearce, has been suspended from the next points event.
In the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, the No. 4 truck was found in violation of section 10.9.10.4 of the rule book for one lug nut unsecured. Crew chief, Wes Ward, was fined $2,500.
NASCAR also indefinitely suspended Michael L. Hayden for violating section 12.8.1.e for an altercation in the Truck garage on Friday morning.
How is it that some of these infractions are not caught before the race?