Michigan and Gateway NASCAR penalties announced; Another encumbered winner
NASCAR penalties issued following last weekend’s events at Michigan International Speedway and Gateway Motorsports Park.
NASCAR handed out penalties on Wednesday to two XFINITY Series teams. Additionally, one NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team.
No penalties were issued in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series
NASCAR Xfinity Penalties
#20 Denny Hamlin
An L1-level penalty against the No. 20 XFINITY Series car for Joe Gibbs Racing was for splitter structure — the splitter was not flat.
As a result, the race win for Denny Hamlin was ruled encumbered. Hamlin does not compete for points in the XFINITY Series, but the win won’t give the team any postseason benefits (i.e. loss of playoff points from that race).
Crew chief Chris Gabehart was fined $25,000 and suspended from the next two XFINITY Series championship points events, and the No. 20 team was assessed with the loss of 25 owner points.
#00 Cole Custer
Also, the No. 00 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford driven by Cole Custer was issued a safety violation for lug nuts not properly installed after a 10th-place finish at Michigan. Crew chief Jeff Meendering was fined $5,000.
NASCAR Truck Series Penalties
#02 Austin Hill
Meanwhile, the No. 02 Ford driven by Austin Hill at Gateway was hit with L1-level penalty for not meeting post-race height requirements. Crew chief Bruce Cook was fined $5,000 and suspended from the next Camping World Truck Series championship points event, and the team was assessed with the loss of 10 driver points and 10 owner points.
Hill’s 14th-place finish was ruled encumbered.
