NASCAR Announces Dover International Speedway Penalties

NASCAR announced penalties following the race weekend at Dover International Speedway on Wednesday afternoon. The penalty sheet includes a number of heavy infractions found in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup and XFINITY Series garages. It also includes one penalty discovered following the Camping World Truck Series race on Friday.

Four Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series teams were found with numerous infractions.

Scott Graves, crew chief of the No. 19 Toyota for Daniel Suarez, has been fined $50,000. Suarez’s car chief Todd Brewer has been suspended for the next two Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series points events for violating sections 20.4.h Body; 20.4.8.1.c (Rear Window Support and Structure Note: Rear window not flush to Deck Lid. Rule 12.5.2.6.2(c) applied to race finish as a post-race L1 infraction.) The team will also lose 20 driver and owner points.

Mike Bugarewicz, crew chief of the No. 14 Ford for Clint Bowyer, has been fined $50,000. Jerry Cook, car chief of the No. 14 Ford, has been suspended for the next two Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races for violating sections 20.4.8.1 (Rear Window Support and Structure b. & c. Note: Rear window support braces must keep the rear window glass rigid in all directions at all times. Rule 12.5.2.6.2(c) applied to race finish as a post-race L1 infraction.) The team will also lose 20 driver and owner points.

Justin Alexander, crew chief of the No. 3 Chevrolet for Austin Dillon, has been fined $25,000. Car chief Greg Ebert has been suspended from the next Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race for violating sections 20.4.3.a&.d: (Splitter Note: Splitter did not meet rule specifications.)

Billy Scott, crew chief of the No. 41 Ford for Kurt Busch, has been fined $10,000 for lug nut(s) not properly installed.

In the NASCAR XFINITY Series, two teams were hit with penalties from NASCAR.

Jason Burdett, crew chief of the winning No. 7 Chevrolet for Justin Allgaier at Dover, has been fined $25,000 and suspended for the next two NASCAR XFINITY Series races for violating sections 20.14.2.h (Rear Suspension I-4 Truck Trailing Arm Spacers/Pinion Angle Shims Note: Truck Trailing Arm Spacers / Pinion Angle Shims not in complete contact with corresponding mating surface. Rule 12.5.2.6.2(c) applied to race finish as a post-race L1 infraction.) The team will also lose 25 driver and owner points. 

Allgaier, who took home a $100,000 XFINITY Series Dash4Cash bonus, will keep the money despite the car not passing post-race inspection.

Statement from JR Motorsports:

“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 Kelley Earnhardt Miller, general manager of JR Motorsports. “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.”

Nick Harrison, crew chief of the No. 3 Chevrolet for Jeb Burton, has been fined $10,000. Car chief Michael Scearce has been suspended for the next NASCAR XFINITY Series event for violating sections  20.4.3.a&.b: (Splitter Note: Splitter did not meet rule specifications.)

The lone penalty in the Camping World Truck Series was for the No. 4 team. Wes Ward, crew chief for driver Todd Gilliland, has been fined $2,500 for lug nuts not properly installed.

Crew member Michael Hayden has been indefinitely suspended for violating 12.8.1.e. The rule was not specified as to why Hayden was suspended but the rule is used in the case if a NASCAR member criticizes, ridicules, or otherwise disparages another person based on race, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, or handicapping condition. It also covers members being charged with or convicted of significant criminal violations such as domestic violence, trafficking, and assault.

Everyone involved with these penalties have three business days to file an appeal.

Brett Winningham
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