Busch Fines
Kyle Busch in action at ISM Raceway. (Ivan Veldhuizen photo)

NASCAR Fines Three Teams For Lug Nut Violations

AVONDALE, Ariz. – NASCAR officials issued monetary fines to three teams on Monday afternoon for improperly installed or missing lug nuts during the ISM Raceway race weekend.

Among the teams hit with a fine was the race-winning No. 18 Toyota team of Kyle Busch, who picked up his 52nd Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series victory during Sunday’s TicketGuardian 500.

Busch’s car had one lug nut not safe and secure during post-race inspection. His crew chief, Adam Stevens, was fined $10,000.

Sunday’s race saw Busch lead 177 of 312 laps at the one-mile desert oval en route to his 199th combined victory between NASCAR’s three national series.

In eight starts this year across the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and the Cup Series, Busch has won five times for a winning percentage of 62.5%.

Two Xfinity Series teams also had one lug nut that was not safe and secure in post-race inspection on Saturday afternoon, following the iK9 Service Dog 200 at ISM Raceway.

Both the No. 8 Chevrolet team from JR Motorsports and the No. 74 Chevrolet from Mike Harmon Racing were hit with safety violations as a result.

Crew chiefs Taylor Moyer and Timothy Goulet were each fined $5,000, respectively.

Ryan Truex drove to the No. 8 to a second-place finish behind Busch, who also won the Xfinity Series race over the weekend, while Mike Harmon placed 25th on Saturday.