NASCAR has provided some further information about a decision made on Tuesday. Specifically, they explained why Ryan Preece received a penalty for wrecking Ty Gibbs while Kyle Busch did not receive a penalty for wrecking John Hunter Nemechek.
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The Richard Childress Racing driver had multiple run-ins with Nemechek in the closing laps of last weekend's race at Texas Motor Speedway. He first hit the wall after turning off the nose of Nemechek's No. 42 Toyota.
He then appeared to intentionally wreck Nemechek moments later by sending him into the outside SAFER barrier. Busch later posted SMT data pushing back against the notion that he "cleared himself" on Nemechek, but he did not address the wreck.
"And then he just wrecks him."
Here's what happened between John Hunter Nemechek and Kyle Busch coming to the white flag at Texas. pic.twitter.com/yoiFoZYtl7
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 3, 2026
Speaking on the Hauler Talk podcast, NASCAR vice president of race communications Mike Forde said why the sanctioning body did not view Busch's actions as rising to the level of a penalty. It essentially came down to inconclusive SMT data and the lack of audio from the two-time Cup Series champion.
"The SMT data is is largely what played a role for us in this decision," Forde said while adding that competition strategist Scott Miller examined the data in the days after the Cup Series race.
"You know, it was interesting, (NASCAR vice president of competition) Elton Sawyer — before I came over here —- was saying that the data told us that after the incident, (Busch) was turning the wheel all the way left just to go straight. So we had a feeling that he had some pretty significant damage."
Busch has delivered plenty of spicy audio throughout his NASCAR career, but he remained quiet over the radio in the closing laps at Texas Motor Speedway. Forde said that ultimately this lack of audio proved to be the difference between the wrecks involving Preece/Gibbs and Busch/Nemechek.
"So there was no audio that came out that said, you know, 'I'm going to wreck the 42,' and then he wrecked the 42," Forde said. "So that's one. And then two is the SMT data that showed that — well, one — it didn't show anything that suggested that he did do it.
"And also, the fact that his steering was so jacked, it showed that there was at least a plausible chance that his car had some damage that led to what happened."
Busch avoided the $50,000 fine and the 25-point penalty that Preece received, but this situation is not totally over. Forde explained that Cup Series Managing Director Brad Moran will sit down with Busch and Richard Childress Racing leadership to discuss some late-race incidents.
Busch also wrecked Riley Herbst during the race at Bristol Motor Speedway, which appeared to be in retaliation for earlier contact.
"Just as was pointed out several times, this is the second time in maybe the last four weeks where there's been discussion post-race on whether or not he should have a penalty," Forde said.
"So maybe let's not have to be having this conversation as often as we are, because the benefit of the doubt is running out pretty quickly."
