Wit just one more race remaining in the 2024 NASCAR season, the sanctioning body levied some major penalties this week after the triple header event at Martinsville Speedway.
As suspected the number one, three, and 23 Cup Series teams were hit with some major penalties after NASCAR determined that they violated the Member Conduct Code in the NASCAR rule book by manipulating the outcome of the race. As a result, Ross Chastain, Austin Dillon, and Bubba Wallace were all docked 50 driver points and fined $100,000.
Trackhouse Racing, Richard Childress Racing, and 23XI Racing were also fined $100,000 and docked 50 owner points.
Crew chiefs Phil Surgen, Justin Alexander, and Bootie Barker; as well as, spotters Brandon McReynolds, Brandon Benesch, and Freddie Kraft; along with executives Tony Lunders, Keith Rodden, and Dave Rogers have been suspended for the final race of the season at Phoenix Raceway this weekend.
Richard Childress Racing, Trackhouse Racing, and 23XI Racing have all announced that they will appeal the penalties.
Late in the race at Martinsville, William Byron began dropping through the field to sixth place where he was just one point ahead of Christopher Bell who was one lap down in 19th place to make the final spot in the championship four. Chastain and Dillon began running side by side blocking the track behind Byron.
Bubba Wallace slowed on the track, citing a tire going down. In the process, he was lapped by leader Ryan Blaney. Christopher Bell passed Wallace in what appeared to be a move similar to Chastain’s “Hail Melon” run two years ago and has now been banned.
NASCAR cited Bell with a safety violation and awarded the final championship four spot to William Byron.
It is turning out to be a bad week for Richard Childress Racing, during the race RCR driver Kyle Busch lost a wheel on the track. As a result, jack man Josh Sobecki and tire changer Michael Russell have been suspended for two races – the race at Phoenix and The Clash in February.
After the Xfinity Series race on Saturday afternoon there was a confrontation between Cole Custer and Chandler Smith. NASCAR has fined Joe Gibbs Racing driver chandler Smith $10,000 for violating the Member Conduct Code.
In the Craftsman Truck Series, championship four driver Ty Majeski was fined $12,500 for failing to meet his media obligations.
All money collected via fines assessed for penalties goes to the NASCAR Foundation charity.