Following Sunday’s race at Martinsville Speedway, NASCAR cited infractions of the NASCAR Member Conduct policy and imposed hefty penalties on the No. 1, 3, and 23 Cup Series teams. Following a thorough examination of race data, team communications, and behaviors judged harmful to stock car racing that affected drivers, team leaders, and crew members, the sanctions were imposed.
Contents
- 1 An investigation finds Martinsville race rule violations
- 2 For the Phoenix Finale, crew chiefs and spotters are suspended
- 3 Teams affected filed appeals
- 4 Contentious Occurrences Concerning William Byron’s Role
- 5 Extra Punishments for the Xfinity Series and Richard Childress Racing Incidents
- 6 NASCAR’s Position Against Safety Violations and Manipulation
An investigation finds Martinsville race rule violations
NASCAR found conduct infractions that were covered by sections 4.4.B&D of the NASCAR Member Conduct rulebook after closely examining the on-track data and scanner recordings from the last laps of the Round of 8 elimination race at Martinsville. These sections deal with practices that compromise the sport’s integrity and race manipulation. Drivers Austin Dillon (Richard Childress Racing), Ross Chastain (Trackhouse Racing), and Bubba Wallace (23XI Racing) were consequently fined $100,000 and given 50 driver points apiece. NASCAR also took away 50 owner points from each team and penalized the owners $100,000.
For the Phoenix Finale, crew chiefs and spotters are suspended
Key members of each team were suspended by NASCAR for the season-ending race at Phoenix Raceway in addition to the penalty. For the Phoenix finale, spotters Brandon McReynolds, Brandon Benesch, and Freddie Kraft were suspended, as were crew chiefs Phil Surgen, Justin Alexander, and Bootie Barker. NASCAR has taken a strong stand against what it sees as race manipulation by prohibiting team officials Tony Lunders, Keith Rodden, and Dave Rogers from competing in the championship race.
Teams affected filed appeals
Trackhouse Racing, Richard Childress Racing, and 23XI Racing, the sanctioned teams, immediately declared their intention to appeal NASCAR’s decision. Elton Sawyer, NASCAR’s Senior VP of Competition, said that the current penalty was intended to highlight team accountability and cited prior sanctions for comparable infractions. NASCAR’s responsibility to uphold the sport’s integrity is shared by team owners and leadership, according to Sawyer’s statement.
Contentious Occurrences Concerning William Byron’s Role
William Byron’s Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 car started to lose speed in the final stages of the Martinsville race, endangering his position in the Championship 4. After starting the playoffs in a position to advance, Byron fell back and ended up in sixth place, one point ahead of Christopher Bell. Chastain and Dillon’s Chevrolets, however, maintained their positions directly behind Byron, preventing overtakes that would have eliminated him from the Championship 4.
In other news, Ryan Blaney won the race after Wallace’s No. 23 Toyota slowed down in the closing laps, putting it in a lap-down position. Bell passed Wallace in a thrilling last lap, but he struggled because of track debris and ended up skidding along the retaining wall, finishing in 18th place. But because of a safety infraction, NASCAR’s post-race review dropped Bell to 22nd, guaranteeing Byron’s place in the Championship 4.
Extra Punishments for the Xfinity Series and Richard Childress Racing Incidents
Other teams and drivers received additional penalties. Following a safety infraction that resulted in the No. 8 vehicle losing a wheel, Josh Sobecki (jackman) and Michael Russell (front tire changer) of Richard Childress Racing were suspended for two races. They will be absent from forthcoming events, such as Bowman Gray Stadium’s Clash.
Chandler Smith of Joe Gibbs Racing received a $10,000 fine for breaking member conduct regulations in the Xfinity Series after he got into a fight with driver Cole Custer. In addition, Ty Majeski, a competitor for ThorSport Racing in the Craftsman Truck Series Championship 4, was fined $12,500 for not fulfilling a required media commitment.
NASCAR’s Position Against Safety Violations and Manipulation
The decision by NASCAR to impose these sanctions demonstrates the organization’s dedication to honesty and equity in the sport. In order to prevent future infractions and guarantee fair competition in the fiercely competitive racing world, NASCAR endeavors to hold drivers, team owners, and crew members accountable. As the teams travel to Phoenix, where the season finale is anticipated to provide high-stakes action and moments that will determine the outcome of the championship, the effects of these penalties will be closely watched.
