NASCAR teams receive big penalty for manipulating results of season finale

Four cars and three teams have been fined; $200,000 in NASCAR fines handed out

A penalty report for the championship finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway was released last week. Now, there has been an updated version released.

A week after the initial penalty report, NASCAR has fined three teams and four cars. The teams of Premium Motorsports, Rick Ware Racing and Spire Motorsports were all fined and penalized.

“Following a thorough review of race data and driver/team communication from the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, as well as interviews with several competitors, NASCAR has determined that the Nos. 15, 27, 52 and 77 teams have violated Sections 12.8.g and 12.8.1 of the NASCAR rule book, which addresses manipulating the outcome of a race,” NASCAR’s Scott Miller said in a statement.

“As a result, those teams in violation of the rule book have been penalized as listed in the penalty report,” Miller added.

Each of the four cars were handed a 50 point penalty in regards to owner standings. All three car owners were fined $50,000 each.

The car owners: Rick Ware of Rick Ware Racing; Jay Robinson of Premium Motorsports; T.J. Puchyr of Spire Motorsports.

Additionally, Scott Eggleston, competition director for Premium Motorsports, and Kenneth Evans with Rick Ware Racing were each fined $25,000.

How did teams manipulate the Homestead finish?

Premium Motorsports was aiming to finish highest in points among non-charter teams. Charter teams get a guaranteed starting spot in each race.

The Premium No. 15 of Joe Nemechek, the Spire No. 77 of Reed Sorenson and the Rick Ware Racing No. 52 driven by Josh Bilicki all retired from the finale within a 15 lap period due to mechanical problems.

Successfully, those retirements allowed Premium Motorsports to finish highest in the standings among non-charter teams. The No. 27 driven by Ross Chastain secured that achievement by just a single point.

With the penalty in place, it elevates the No. 96 Gaunt Brothers Racing machine to the top ranking among Open (non-charter) teams. Previously, Premium Motorsports was able to claim that spot to to the early retirements.

Spire Motorsports statement on Homestead

“Following the season finale at Homestead Miami Speedway, NASCAR assessed a penalty against Spire Motorsports for the actions of an individual who made a judgment call on behalf of our team,” Spire Motorsports said in a statement.

“While the ultimate outcome of that decision can be interpreted from different perspectives, we regret any appearance of operating outside the spirit of the rule book. We accept the penalty and will not appeal.”

“We’re proud of all we accomplished with this team in our first season and look forward to getting back to the business of racing at Daytona in February,” Spire concluded.

View the Homestead-Miami Speedway penalty report below.


Homestead-Miami Speedway
Penalty Report
November 27, 2019

Driver/No: Joe Nemechek No. 15

Infraction Date: November 17, 2019 (Race)

Penalty Level: Behavioral

Infraction: Sections 12.8.g Member Conduct; 12.8.1 Member Conduct Guideline

Penalty: Team owner (Jay Robinson) has been fined $50,000 and assessed with the loss of 50 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship Team Owner Points. The competition director (Scott Eggleston) has been fined $25,000 and has been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR.

Driver/No: Ross Chastain No. 27

Infraction Date: November 17, 2019 (Race)

Penalty Level: Behavioral

Infraction: Sections 12.8.g Member Conduct; 12.8.1 Member Conduct Guideline

Penalty: Team has been assessed with the loss of 50 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship Team Owner Points

Driver/No: Josh Bilicki No. 52

Infraction Date: November 17, 2019 (Race)

Penalty Level: Behavioral

Infraction: Sections 12.8.g Member Conduct; 12.8.1 Member Conduct Guideline

Penalty: Team owner (Rick Ware) has been fined $50,000 and assessed with the loss of 50 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship Team Owner Points. The competition director (Kenneth Evans) has been fined $25,000 and has been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR.

Driver/No: Reed Sorenson No. 77

Infraction Date: November 17, 2019 (Race)

Penalty Level: Behavioral

Infraction: Sections 12.8.g Member Conduct; 12.8.1 Member Conduct Guideline

Penalty: Team owner (TJ Puchyr) has been fined $50,000 and assessed with the loss of 50 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship Team Owner Points. The competition director (Scott Eggleston) has been fined $25,000 and has been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR.Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

More

Spire Motorsports was setup with a bank loan for $6 million; Daytona winners

Homestead Penalty Report (Initial Penalties)

The post-race inspection process changed since the 2018 championship finale event

Homestead Race Results: November 17, 2019

NASCAR drivers talk the big money purse for the championship

ISM Raceway will host the NASCAR Championship race in 2020; They need to fix it first

Links

Premium Motorsports | Spire Motorsports | Rick Ware Racing | Homestead-Miami Speedway | NASCAR

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