Martinsville penalties: Three teams have crew members suspended, fines issued, points taken away UPDATES

Yesterday at 06:20 PM

UPDATE 2:

The National Motorsports Appeals Panel today heard and considered an appeal of a behavior penalty issued on November 5, 2024 to driver Ross Chastain, owner Justin Marks, Competition Executive Tony Lunders, spotter Brandon McReynolds and crew chief Phil Surgen in the NASCAR Cup Series.

The penalty concerns the following sections of the 2024 NASCAR Rule Book: Sections 4.4.B&D Member Code of Conduct. The penalty issued was a $100,000 fine to both the driver and owner; a loss of 50 driver and owner points; and a one-race suspension to the competition executive, crew chief and spotter.

Upon hearing the testimony, the decisions of the National Motorsports Appeals Panel are:

1. That the Appellants violated the Rule(s) set forth in the Penalty Notice.
2. That the Panel affirms and upholds the original Penalty assessed by NASCAR.

In reaching the above decision, the panel provided the following explanation: "We feel in the best interest of racing and to protect the integrity of the sport, it was appropriate to uphold and affirm NASCAR‘s decision with regard to the NASCAR rule 4.4, attempting to manipulate the outcome of the race."

The Appeals Panel members for this hearing:

• Mr. Kelly Housby
• Ms. Lyn St. James
• Mr. Steve York

The Appellant has the right to appeal the decision of the National Motorsports Appeals Panel to the National Motorsports Final Appeals Officer in accordance with the NASCAR Rule Book.

UPDATE 11-6-2024: 23XI racing announced Wednesday afternoon that they have decided against appealing their penalty.

New update from 23XI pic.twitter.com/CFlIuxOJxC

— 23XI Racing (@23XIRacing) November 6, 2024

The appeals for Trackhouse and RCR will be heard on Thursday.

ORIGINAL POST 11-5-2024: NASCAR has announced penalties following the Xfinity 500 NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville

Speedway on Sunday.

The crew chiefs, spotters, and a team executive from the teams of #1-Ross Chastain, #3-Austin Dillon, and #23-Bubba Wallace have each been suspended for the Phoenix race following the team’s actions as the end of the Martinsville race. In addition each team and driver have been fined $100,000 and assessed a 50 point penalty.

Rule book section 4.4 B&D are as follows:

B. Member actions that could result in a loss of 25-50 driver and/or Team Owner Points and/or $25,000-$50,000 fine. Violations may also result in Race suspension(s), indefinite suspension, or membership revocation:

• Physical confrontation with a NASCAR Official, media members, fans, etc.
• Attempting to manipulate the outcome of the Race or championship.[emphasis added]
• Intentionally damaging another vehicle on pit road.
• Wrecking or spinning another vehicle, whether or not that vehicle is removed from Competition as a result.
• Any actions deemed to compromise the safety of an Event or otherwise pose a dangerous risk to the safety of Competitors, Officials, spectators, or others.

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

• Actions by a NASCAR Member that NASCAR finds to be detrimental to stock car racing or NASCAR.[emphasis added]
• 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.

Richard Childress Racing, Trackhouse Racing and 23XI Racing have announced they will appeal. That process will be expedited and likely take place on Thursday.

In addition, #8-Kyle Busch’s team was penalized for the loss of a wheel during the race.

Crew members (Josh Sobecki and Michael Russell) have been suspended from the next two NASCAR Cup Series Championship points events, through and including, The Clash at Bowman Gray, February 2, 2025.

Click here to download the PDF.