Austin Dillon docked 10 points; Austin Wayne Self reinstated
Two penalties have been announced for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series field following Talladega Superspeedway. Additionally, a driver suspension has been lifted.
View the full Talladega Superspeedway penalty report below.
Ahead of the race weekend, NASCAR added an additional inch to the rear spoiler. That change was announced several months prior.
However, in-between first and second practice, NASCAR added a wicker to the rear spoiler. That required modifications to all the rear spoilers in the garage.
Richard Childress Racing took off their No. 3 deck-lid on the first day at the track on Friday. The team went to work to prevent any possible issues ahead of inspection.
The team did not have the rear deck lid template at the shop. When they got to the track, they found it needed to be tweaked.
The team applied Bondo compound to the spoiler which then requires sanding. NASCAR say this going on an confiscated the rear decklid at the track.
The confiscation didn’t sit well with No. 3 crew chief
Danny Stockman Jr. He was very vocal against the confiscation noting that his team was only attempting to prevent any possible inspection issues before that arose.
Later that day, Austin Dillon returned to the track with a different deck lid and took the pole position for the NASCAR race at Talladega by over a tenth.
On Tuesday, NASCAR issues the Talladega Superspeedway Penalty Report:
Talladega Penalties
NASCAR Cup Series
Driver/Number: Austin Dillon #3
Infraction Date: April 26, 2019
Penalty Level: L1
Infraction: Sections 20.4 Body; 20.4.11 Deck Lid; 20.20 Assembled Vehicles Overall Rules – Note: Deck lid must be used as supplied from the manufacturer. Body Filler added to deck lid.
Penalty: Crew chief (Danny Stockman Jr.) has been fined $25,000. Car chief (Gregory Ebert) has been suspended from the next Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship points event.
Richard Childress Racing has been assessed with the loss of 10 owner points and 10 driver points.
—
Driver/Number: Ryan Blaney #12
Infraction Date: April 28, 2019
Penalty Level: Safety
Infraction: Sections 10.9.10.4: Tires and WheelsNote: Lug nut(s) not properly installed
Penalty: Crew chief (Jeremy Bullins) has been fined $10,000.
Talladega Penalties
NASCAR Xfinity Series
No penalties were announced for the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
Austin Wayne Self reinstated
At the beginning of April, Austin Wayne Self was suspended from NASCAR competition. The driver failed a random drug test. He was required to complete NASCAR’s drug recovery program before returning to the track.
This week, NASCAR has lifted the suspension on Austin Wayne Self and it comes almost exactly one month after the suspension. NASCAR noted the following in the penalty report from the week:
“Austin Self has successfully completed NASCAR’s Road to Recovery Program. His NASCAR suspension has been lifted.”
More
Talladega Race Results (NASCAR Cup Series)
NASCAR confiscated the rear spoiler for Austin Dillon at Talladega Superspeedway
Austin Wayne Self issues an ahpology letter
NASCAR suspends Austin Wayne Self
Spencer Gallagher and GMS racing comment following the suspension
Spencer Gallagher has been suspended indefinitely
Links
Austin Dillon | Austin Wayne Self | Talladega Superspeedway | NASCAR
