NASCAR officials have penalized multiple Cup Series teams for violating the series’ member conduct during Sunday’s Xfinity 500 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.
After investigating team communication and on-track data from the event, the Nos. 1 (Trackhouse Racing), 3 (Richard Childress Racing) and 23 (23XI Racing) violated sections 4.4.B&D: NASCAR Member Conduct of the Rule Book, which include race manipulation and actions detrimental to stock car racing.
As a result, Ross Chastain (No. 1), Austin Dillon (No. 3) and Bubba Wallace (No. 23) have been fined $100,000 each and handed 50-point penalties toward the driver standings. Each driver’s owner was also fined $100,000 and docked 50 owners points.
All three of the drivers’ crew chiefs (Phil Surgen, Justin Alexander and Bootie Barker) and spotters (Brandon McReynolds, Brandon Benesch and Freddie Kraft) have been suspended for this weekend’s season finale at Phoenix Raceway.
NASCAR also suspended team executives from each team, Tony Lunders, Keith Rodden and Dave Rogers for the finale.
All three teams announced they are appealing the penalties handed down by NASCAR.
In the closing laps at Martinsville, Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney surged to victory to advance into the Championship 4. Behind him, William Byron was struggling on older tires aboard his No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet in sixth-place as he clung to a slight points lead over Christopher Bell for the final spot in the title race.
Forming a wall, Chastain and Dillon, also driving Chevrolets, rode behind Byron to the checkered flag.
Wallace’s penalties stem from his No. 23 Toyota slowing in the closing laps with a reported tire going flat. After going a lap down, Wallace was passed by Bell in the final two corners to initially gain the spot needed to advance to the Championship 4 over Byron.
Following the race, Bell, who tied Byron for the final spot but had the advantage via better finish in the Round of 8, was penalized for wall-riding (safety violation) on the last lap. Therefore, NASCAR dropped Bell from 18th to 22nd, the last car one lap down. That allowed Byron to make it into the Championship 4.
Other Penalties
RCR crew members Josh Sobecki (jack) and Michael Russell (front changer) have been suspended two races (safety violation) after driver Kyle Busch lost a wheel during the race.
NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Chandler Smith was fined $10,000 after the Joe Gibbs Racing driver attempted to throw a punch at Cole Custer following Saturday’s Xfinity Series race at Martinsville.
Finally, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Ty Majeski was fined $12,500 for not fulfilling a media obligation.