NASCAR has issued numerous penalties in the wake of a controversial weekend at Martinsville Speedway. They include 11 suspensions and more than half of a million dollars in fines.
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The majority of the penalties focus on three teams — Richard Childress Racing, Trackhouse Racing, and 23XI Racing — and their roles in how the end of the race played out. NASCAR determined that these teams violated sections 4.4.B&D: NASCAR Member Conduct of the Rule Book, which includes race manipulation.
The RCR, 23XI, and Trackhouse penalties:
- $100,000 fine to Bubba Wallace, loss of 50 driver points, $100,000 fine to 23XI Racing, loss of 50 owner points.
- One-race suspension to 23XI Racing crew chief Bootie Barker, spotter Freddie Kraft, and team executive Dave Rogers.
- $100,000 fine to Austin Dillon, $100,000 fine to Richard Childress Racing, loss of 50 driver points, loss of 50 owner points.
- One-race suspension to crew chief Justin Alexander, team executive Keith Rodden, and spotter Brandon Benesch. This is Benesch's second suspension this season.
- $100,000 fine to Ross Chastain, $100,000 fine to Trackhouse Racing, loss of 50 driver points, loss of 50 owner points.
- One-race suspension to crew chief Phil Surgen, spotter Brandon McReynolds, and team executive Tony Lunders.
All three teams have announced that they will appeal the penalties.
Dillon and Chastain formed a blockade for William Byron in the closing laps of last weekend's Round of 8 elimination race. They ran side-by-side behind Byron and prevented any other drivers from making passes. As a result, Byron did not lose any more positions or any more points.
Extensive radio chatter from the No. 3 team before and after the race indicated that the Chevrolet teams were making moves to help Byron reach the Championship 4.
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Wallace, for comparison, suddenly slowed in the closing laps of the race as Joe Gibbs Racing's Christopher Bell chased him down. Wallace was the only driver that Bell could pass and gain the necessary point he needed to take the final playoff spot.
Bell ultimately lost the spot due to a penalty for a safety violation on the final lap. This dropped him in the finishing order and eliminated him from the playoffs.
Wallace mentioned the possibility of a tire going down over the radio and then he told media members on pit road that "something had broken" in the No. 23 Toyota Camry. He said he had to nurse the car to the finish line, which is why his final lap was multiple seconds slower than previous laps.
The other penalties were tamer in comparison. Kyle Busch's No. 8 team at Richard Childress Racing received a penalty after the Chevrolet Camaro lost a wheel on the track ahead of a restart.
NASCAR issued two-race suspensions to crew members Josh Sobecki and Michael Russell. They will be eligible to return to Cup Series competition after the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on Feb. 2, 2025.
Xfinity Series driver Chandler Smith received a $10,000 fine for an altercation on pit road after last weekend's race. This was a violation of Sections 4.4.D: NASCAR Member Conduct. It was a behavioral penalty.
Smith threw a punch in Cole Custer's direction after an argument. Custer did not retaliate as NASCAR security stepped in.
Ty Majeski rounded out the list of penalties. The ThorSport Racing driver received a $12,500 fine for violating Sections 4.4 A: NASCAR Member Conduct. He failed to meet his media obligations.
