Penalties reduced against RCR crew members

Suspensions issued after parking lot scuffle at Richmond International Raceway

CONCORD, N.C. — A National Stock Car Racing appeals panel reduced the punishment to a pair of Richard Childress Racing crew members Friday at the NASCAR Research & Development Center.

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Michael Scearce and Thomas Costello, who both work on Brian Scott’s NASCAR Nationwide Series team, were originally suspended for four races each and fined $15,000 for actions detrimental to stock car racing following their roles in a post-race altercation at Richmond International Speedway on April 26.

Both crew members were arrested following a physical encounter with driver Nelson Piquet Jr. and one of his friends at the driver/owner motorcoach lot after the ToyotaCare 250 had ended.

Scearce, a mechanic for Scott’s No. 2 team, was charged with two misdemeanor counts of assault; Costello, an interior specialist, was charged with one misdemeanor assault count. No one else was charged.

The off-track incident occurred after an on-track one, when Scott and Piquet bumped cars late while battling for a spot in the top 15. Following the ToyotaCare 250, Scott approached Piquet on pit road, and Piquet kicked the driver in the groin, nearly causing a fight between the two pit crew teams.

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