It was only a matter of time.Just a few days after NASCAR re-implemented rules requiring teams to install all five lug nuts on each wheel, the sanctioning body handed down a P3 penalty to crew chief Adam Stevens, after discovering missing lug nuts on the winning No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota driven by Kyle Busch following last Saturday night’s GoBowling 400 at Kansas Speedway.
Stevens was fined $20,000, suspended from all NASCAR Series Championship point-counting events through May 18 and put on NASCAR probation through Dec. 31 for violating sections 12:1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing), 10.11.3 (pit road equipment) and 12.5.3.4.1 (which outlines the P3-level penalty) of the NASCAR Rule Book. In addition to Stevens, front tire changer Josh Leslie was suspended through May 18 and put on NASCAR probation through Dec. 31.
Joe Gibbs Racing has confirmed that it will not appeal the penalty. In a written statement, the team said it utilized “unaltered, stock lug nuts during Saturday night’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway and each wheel had all five lug nuts attached to the wheel at the conclusion of the race. The team does acknowledge that not all lug nuts were tightened to the wheel.”
NASCAR also issued written warnings to the No. 43 and No. 78 teams Sprint Cup Series teams for failing pre-qualifying laser inspection twice, and the No. 7, 43, 47 and 48 teams for failing pre-qualifying template inspection twice.
Just waiting for the people to complain why they didnt dq Kyle or this or that, but the the letter of the rule the punishment is right
ReplyDeleteSo, what part of the five-lug-nut rule doesn't he get? Maybe a week off and a lighter wallet will improve his rules-comprehension skills.
ReplyDeleteIf I am correct I saw numerous less than 5 lug changes during the race. I think that is within the law. Only the start and end is when they all need to be there.
ReplyDeleteThat is incorrect. NASCAR rules require all five lug nuts to be "installed and secure at all times."
DeleteOuch, there had to be
ReplyDeletesomeone to be first, and it had to be the car that came in first. I hate it that it had to be Stevens, I would like to know what side the missing lug was on? From what I saw it looked like they were hitting all 5, but that is TV, just a thought since Nascar has good video of the passenger side, unfortunately rules are rules, Adam probably won't be the only one to have a expensive vacation
Hope all of the incessant whiners about this previous non issue are happy. You've forced the creation of the hand holding police.
ReplyDeleteDave, what would the punishment be for a 2nd offense?
ReplyDeleteMuch more severe!
DeleteSo the cost of padding your win total to chase the highest Chase seed is $20,000 and a few weeks probation. Since the win is still in place, I'd say that's an affordable price to pay for the end results on the track.
ReplyDeleteLOL, only in NASCAR would someone suggest that a race should be forfeited over a lug nut. Amazing. King Richard had illegal tires and a HUGE engine, and kept his win.
DeleteNo, I wasn't suggesting they take it. Simply stating that they won't. Bill Elliott ran a 7/8 scale model (the Action diecast for the SERIOUS collector) and won...kept his win. It is what it is. Like the famous "crack the rear end" - it's a matter of risk vs reward. And this was a logical investment. But no, by no means was suggesting they take a win over a stupid lug nut.
DeleteIf the statement that appears to have came from JGR they used unaltered lug nuts and all 5 were on the wheels but JGR admits that all were not tight. Just saying !
ReplyDelete