It was a long weekend for NASCAR after Cup Series race on Sunday was moved to Monday after rains soaked the area.

In the Tuesday penalty report, the number 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Xfinity Series car driven by Sammy Smith was charged with having one of its lug nuts improperly secured during post race inspection.  As a results, crew chief Jeff Meendering has been fined $5,000.


After the Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway on April 16, NASCAR levied an L1 penalty on the Richard Childress Racing number three car driven by Austin Dillon.  NASCAR charged the number three car with a violation of the overall assembled vehicle rules related to the underwing assembly and hardware. 

NASCAR assessed a $75,000 fine on crew chief Keith Rodden and a two race suspension.  Rodden chose to go ahead and serve his suspension before the appeal was heard.

Driver Austin Dillon was docked 60 driver and five playoff points; as well as, 60 car owner points.  Dillon is currently ranked 31st with 133 points.

The National Motorsports Appeal Panel ruled to uphold the penalty with no amendments.

NASCAR stated that the number three team violated sections 14.1 C, E, and Q and 14.6.1 A and B.

In their ruling, the three person panel noted, “as submitted the nuts are not a thread locking device — they are connected and part of the turn buckle. The nuts do not lock the assembly. Therefore, the assembly has been modified.”

RCR has no plans to make any further appeals of the penalty.