LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 28: An official holds Justin Haley, driver of the #11 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet, two laps for aggressive driving during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Pocono Green 225 Recycled by J.P. Mascaro & Sons at Pocono Raceway on June 28, 2020 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Justin Haley was penalized by NASCAR for aggressive driving after he cost Riley Herbst a chance at $100,000 (Video)
Shane Walters
Justin Haley vs Riley Herbst at Pocono Raceway
Riley Herbst entered Sunday’s (yes, Sunday!) NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Pocono Raceway as one of just four drivers eligible for the Dash for Cash bonus. That bonus come at the tune of $100,000.
Watch the Justin Haley vs Riley Herbvst video below.
The rules are simple, the highest finisher of the four drivers is handed the check. That’s hard to do when you’re turned into the outside wall..
With 42 laps to go in the event, Riley Herbst and Justin Haley were racing for position. Herbst ran up on the rear bumper of Haley.
With air packed on the left rear, Haley got loose. He saved it and was able to keep it out of the wall.
However, Haley was frustrated with the situation and might have thought that Herbst put the bumper to him, which he did not. Haley reacted by turning left and hooking the right rear of Herbst as he went by on the inside.
Herbst was sent into the outside wall at the flagstand. His chance at the $100,000 bonus was over.
NASCAR penalizes Justin Haley for 2 laps
Haley suffered damage as well. After the contact of his own doing, Haley picked up a flat left front tire. That then put a hole in the fender.
This got worse for Haley as he was also handed a penalty by NASCAR officials. The No. 11 car was forced to sit on the pit lane for 2 laps, a rare penalty.
NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Haley, as well as crew chief Alex Yontz were called to the NASCAR hauler.
Haley’s radio indicated it was unintentional…
Yontz: “So you have to be the one to move somebody first. But if you retaliate, which they think that was retaliation, they hold you.”
Haley: “I had a run at the wall, I had to lift out of the gas and turn left.”
Justin Haley turns Riley Herbst Pocono Raceway Video