Additional Coverage:
- NASCAR suspends 9 people from 3 teams, issues $600K in fines for actions at end of Martinsville race (nbcsports.com)
NASCAR Suspends Nine, Fines Teams for Race Manipulation
NASCAR has taken swift action against three teams involved in manipulating the outcome of last weekend’s Cup race at Martinsville Speedway. The teams of Bubba Wallace, Austin Dillon, and Ross Chastain have been fined $100,000 each and penalized 50 points.
Nine individuals from the teams have been suspended, including team executives, crew chiefs, and spotters. NASCAR alleges that these individuals communicated during the race to prevent William Byron from losing positions, which would have eliminated him from the Championship 4.
NASCAR Vice President Elton Sawyer emphasized that the organization will not tolerate such behavior. He stated that officials will meet with manufacturers to discuss penalties for their involvement in the incident.
No Driver Suspensions, but Warnings Issued
No drivers were suspended, but Sawyer indicated that NASCAR considered it. He stressed that drivers will be held accountable for any actions that compromise the integrity of the sport.
Wallace’s Role in the Incident
Bubba Wallace, who was a lap down during the race, slowed down significantly on the final lap. NASCAR penalized Wallace for a safety violation, dropping him to 22nd place. This allowed Byron to secure a spot in the Championship 4.
Other Penalties
NASCAR also fined Xfinity driver Chandler Smith $10,000 for assaulting another driver after a race. Truck Series driver Ty Majeski received a $12,500 fine for failing to fulfill media obligations.