NCS: Major Penalties Announced Following United Rentals 500 Event at Phoenix

NASCAR unveiled major penalties on Wednesday following the NASCAR XFINITY and Cup Series events at Phoenix Raceway. The penalties included multi-race suspensions of crew chiefs for an entire organization and crew members and even a point and monetary fine for a driver.

Hendrick Motorsports crew chiefs Cliff Daniels, Alan Gustafson, Rudy Fugle, and Blake Harris have all been fined $100,000 and suspended for four NASCAR Cup Series races for violating sections 6.1.A Time/Manner/Location; 14.1 C&D&Q Overall Assembled Vehicle Rules; 14.5.4.2.A Radiator Duct Note: Unapproved modification of a single source vendor-supplied part. 

In addition, Trent Owens, crew chief of the No. 31 entry for Kaulig Racing, will also see a four-race suspension in the NASCAR Cup Series and a $100,000 fine for the same violation incurred by Hendrick Motorsports.

The penalties in the NASCAR Cup Series garage are far from over …

Crew members Ryan Mulder and Sean Cotten with the No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing team have been suspended for the next two Cup Series events for a loss of tire/separation of a wheel during Sunday’s United Rentals 500. 

Denny Hamlin was fined $50,000 and assessed with the loss of 25 driver points for violating sections 4.4: NASCAR Member Code of Conduct: B. – Attempting to manipulate the outcome of the Race or championship. – Wrecking or spinning another vehicle, whether or not that vehicle is removed from Competition as a result D. – Actions by a NASCAR Member that NASCAR finds to be detrimental to stock car racing or NASCAR with competitor Ross Chastain.

Joshua Creech has been fined $25,000 and suspended from NASCAR indefinitely. Creech violated sections 4.3 A&I; 4.4 D 

4.4 D reads as:

Member actions that could result in a fine and/or indefinite suspension, or termination membership revocation:

  • Actions by a NASCAR Member that NASCAR finds to be detrimental to stock car racing or NASCAR.
  • Statement and/or communication made public (including social media platforms) that demeans, criticizes, ridicules, or otherwise disparages another person based upon that person’s race, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, or handicapping condition.
  • Member-to-Member confrontation(s) with physical violence (e.g. striking another Competitor) and other violent manifestations such as significant threat(s) and/or abuse and/or endangerment.
  • Multiple violations of the Code of Conduct.
  • Selling NASCAR Single Event Credentials (VIP Passes, Essential Worker Passes, etc.).
  • Being charged with or convicted of significant criminal violations (e.g. Domestic Violence, Trafficking, Assault), or having had determinations rendered by criminal or civil authorities that in NASCAR’s judgment necessitate action. NASCAR will not pre-judge guilt or innocence in the criminal or civil legal system, or the guilt or innocence of the Member, but rather review each matter in its own context and circumstances and with regards to its potential effects upon the sport.
  • Violations of NASCAR’s Sports Gambling Policy.

All teams involved will have the ability to file for appeals.


HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS STATEMENT

 

On Friday at Phoenix Raceway, NASCAR identified louvers on our race cars during a voluntary inspection 35 minutes after the opening of the garage and prior to on-track activity. NASCAR took possession of the parts approximately four hours later with no prior communication. The situation had no bearing on Saturday’s qualifying session or Sunday’s race.

We are disappointed with today’s decision by NASCAR to issue penalties and have elected to appeal based on a variety of facts that include:
 

  • Louvers provided to teams through NASCAR’s mandated single-source supplier do not match the design submitted by the manufacturer and approved by NASCAR
  • Documented inconsistent and unclear communication by the sanctioning body specifically related to louvers
  • Recent comparable penalties issued by NASCAR have been related to issues discovered during a post-race inspection

For the March 19 NASCAR Cup Series event at Atlanta Motor Speedway, our organization has made the strategic decision not to request deferral of personnel suspensions. Team rosters for this weekend will be updated as soon as substitute crew chiefs are determined.

Brett Winningham
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