Late Tuesday afternoon NASCAR handed down some major penalties to Cup and Xfinity Series teams related to events that took place during races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway over the weekend.
The most controversial incident of the weekend was during stage two of the South Point 400 Sunday afternoon when Bubba Wallace and Kyle Larson got into a wreck that also took out Christopher Bell. Once the cars had stopped, Wallace got out of his car and headed for Larson where he proceeded to shove the driver – shoving a NASCAR official in the process.
As a result of his actions, NASCAR has suspended Bubba Wallace for a single race citing violations of the NASCAR Member Code of Conduct sections 4.3.A and 4.4.C & E. This is the first time in seven years that NASCAR has suspended a driver for their on track behaviour.
Section 4.4C relates to the “intentionally wrecking or spinning another vehicle, whether or not that vehicle is removed from Competition as a result”.
Wallace has issued a statement saying, “I want to apologize for my actions on Sunday following the on-track incident with Kyle Larson and the number five car. My behavior does not align with the core values that are shared by 23XI Racing and our partners, who have played a crucial role in my incredible journey to the top of this great sport.”
In retaliating for a racing incident where Kyle Larson moved up the track and sent Bubba Wallace into the wall, Wallace himself violated his own mantra of “Peace, Love, and Understanding.”
There is no word as to who might take over the driving duties for the number 45 car this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Other penalties issued by NASCAR…
Kyle Busch lost a tire on the track after making a pit stop for fresh tires late in stage three. As a result, Busch’s crew chief Ben Beshore, jackman Derrell Edwards, and tire changer Michael Hicks have all bee suspended for four races. Only three races remain in the 2022 season so the suspension will include the Busch Clash to start the 2023 season with a new driver of the number 18 car. It should be noted that once Kyle Busch was eliminated from the playoff drivers, car owner Joe Gibbs sent the pit crew – including the crew chiefs – of Busch’s number 18 car to Denny Hamlin who is still in the playoffs. Hamlin’s crew was given to Busch. Hamlin has been penalized over 30 times this season for various pit road infractions.
In the Xfinity Series, NASCAR has charged the Jeremy Clements Racing number 51 car with an L1 penalty for violating section 14.4B.E in the NASCAR rule book which relates to “Flange Fit Composite Body must be used as supplied from the manufacturer without modification.” NASCAR has fined crew chief of the 51 car $25,000 and suspended him for the race this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Clements has also been docked 40 car driver points and Jeremy Clements Racing has been docked 40 car owner points.
Also in the Xfinity Series, Joe Gibbs Racing’s number tr car driven by Ty Gibbs was charged with having a lug nut improperly secured and crew chief Chris Gayle has been fined $5,000.
NASCAR crew member Andrew Abbott has completed his anger management training and has been reinstated by NASCAR. Abbott was charged with violating the NASCAR rule book rule section 4.3 A and 4.4E for an incident during pre-qualifying activities for the Camping World Truck Series September 30. He will join the CWTS Young Motorsports number 20 truck driven by Stefan Parsons.