During the pre-race inspection process for the Xfinity Series last weekend at Michigan International Speedway, NASCAR officials confiscated the front splitter from the 00 car driven by Cole Custer and took it to their R&D center in Concord, North Carolina for further inspection.
On Wednesday, NASCAR announced that the splitter violated Sections 14.4.3.C & H of the NASCAR Rule Book; “splitters must be used exactly as supplied from the manufacturer” and the “rounding of any edges of the splitter will not be permitted.”
As a result, crew chief Jonathan Toney has been fined $25,000. Custer and team owner Stewart-Haas Racing have each been docked 20 points and Custer will lose five of his playoff points once the playoffs begin.
While five playoff points may not sound like a lot…drivers receive five playoff points for winning a race. The penalty is equivalent to Custer losing one of the two races he has won so far this season.
Even with the loss of 20 points, Custer maintains his fourth place standing in the points, but is now 107 points behind leader John Hunter Nemechek.
With five races remaining before the Xfinity Series playoffs begin, Custer has a chance to make up for lost ground. His two wins this season were on the road course at Portland and the street race in Chicago. The Xfinity and Cup Series race on the road course in Indianapolis this weekemd.