Sauter, ThorSport Sanctioned For Fuel Cell Violation

Sauter forfeits Truck Series lead

NASCAR has announced penalties and fines to the championship leading No. 98 team that competes in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, as a result of rule infractions at Kansas Speedway.

The ThorSport Racing No. 98 truck driven by Johnny Sauter was found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4K (if in the judgment of NASCAR Officials, race equipment that has been previously verified or previously approved and/or sealed by NASCAR for use in an event, pursuant to sub-section 8-6 and/or 8-12, has been altered, modified, repaired, or changed in any manner); 20B-16 (once a fuel cell or fuel cell components have been certified, modifications of any kind will not be permitted to the fuel cell or fuel cell components); and 20B-16.1B (standard black, safety foam with minimum free-standing height of eight (8) inches, acceptable to NASCAR Officials, and used as provided by an approved fuel cell manufacturer, must be used: Fuel cell safety foam modification.) of the 2013 rule book.

As a result of this violation, crew chief Joel Shear has been fined $10,000 and suspended from NASCAR competition until the completion of the next four NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events. He has been placed on NASCAR probation until December 31. The team has also been docked 25 championship driver and owner points, dropping Sauter into a tie for second place in the championship standings, 13 behind teammate Matt Crafton.

Sauter won the opening two races of the 2013 season at Daytona and Martinsville, before finishing fourth at Rockingham two weeks ago and fifth Saturday in Kansas. The violations were discovered during opening day inspection.