Over the past weekend, racing teams and fans saw plenty of beating and banging on the track at Bristol Motor Speedway as all three NASCAR series raced. There were plenty of caution flags…and beat up vehicles.
On August 20 NASCAR issued penalties from those races.
In the Monster Energy Cup Series, three drivers were found to have lug nuts not properly secured in post race inspection – Brad Keselowski, Chase Elliott, and Clint Bowyer. As a result of the infractions, the crew chiefs for each team were fined $10,000. Paul Wolfe is the crew chief for the Penske Racing number two driven by Brad Keselowski, Alan Gustofson is the crew chief for the Hendrick Motor Sport number nine driven by Chase Elliott, and Michael Bugarewicz is the crew chief for the Stewart-Haas Racing number 14 driven by Clint Bowyer.
As reported earlier, the Xfinity Series Richard Childress Racing number two car driven by reigning champion Tyler Reddick received on site penalties after failing the inspection process four times. As a part of his penalties, Reddick had to start the race from the back of the field and went on to win the race.
In other NACAR penalty news, officials has suspended indefinitely driver Bayley Currey for violation of NASCAR’s substance abuse policy. With a no tolerance policy, NASCAR has suspended Currey immediately.
Currey noted that he had taken a workout supplement known as Juggernaut Irate which contained a substance banned by NASCAR.
Speaking on the infraction, Currey said, “I was obviously not aware that I was violating NASCAR’s Substance Abuse Policy. I have immediately asked NASCAR to enter me into the Road to Recovery Program where I will gain more knowledge about such banned supplements and I will fully cooperate with NASCAR’s direction and advice.
I have worked very hard for a lifetime to reach this level and I am eternally grateful to be afforded the privilege to compete in the sport that I love. I want to publicly apologize to my Owner’s Rick and Lisa Ware, all the employees of Rick Ware Racing, my sponsors, NASCAR, and most importantly the fans. My lack of knowledge is no excuse for this to happen. I will expediently complete the process and I will strive to have my suspension lifted as soon as possible.”
Once Currey completes the Road to Recovery program, he will be eligible to return to NASCAR and racing.
Car owner Rick Ware, who has yet to name a replacement for Currey, also spoke on the incident saying, “at Rick Ware Racing, we stand by NASCAR’s decisions to uphold the Drug Policy for each and every owner, driver and crew member in the garage. We believe that Bayley Currey has made an honest mistake, by not checking his pre-workout supplements for ingredients that are not allowed through the NASCAR systems. As an organization, we stand behind Bayley’s Road to Recovery journey, and will always have a place for him within our organization.”