The penalty levied to Ross Chastain and the No. 1 Trackhouse Racing team was upheld after the team’s appeal was heard Thursday in front of the National Motorsports Appeals Panel; Richard Childress Racing, meanwhile, withdrew its appeal.
NASCAR issued a $100,000 fine and docked 50 driver points each from Chastain, Austin Dillon and Bubba Wallace after an investigation of the on-track data and team scanners from the final laps of Sunday’s Round of 8 elimination race at Martinsville Speedway. NASCAR also fined the owners of each team $100,000 and deducted 50 owner points.
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NASCAR determined the actions violated sections 4.4.B&D: NASCAR Member Conduct of the Rule Book, which include race manipulation and actions detrimental to stock-car racing.
Crew chiefs Phil Surgen, Justin Alexander and Bootie Barker, along with their respective spotters Brandon McReynolds, Brandon Benesch and Freddie Kraft, were all suspended for the 2024 season finale at Phoenix Raceway. Darian Grubb, Joel Keller and Eric Phillips will step in as the crew chiefs for the respective teams this weekend.
Team executives Tony Lunders, Keith Rodden and Dave Rogers were also suspended for the 2024 finale at Phoenix.
The Appeals Panel, consisting of Kelly Housby, Lyn St. James and Steve York, upheld the penalties to the No. 1.
“We feel in the best interest of racing and to protect the integrity of the sport, it was appropriate to uphold and affirm NASCAR’s decision with regard to the NASCAR rule 4.4, attempting to manipulate the outcome of the race,” the panel said in a statement.
Trackhouse Racing will not appeal to the Final Appeals Officer.
On Wednesday, 23XI Racing announced they would not appeal the penalty issued to them.
The 2024 NASCAR season concludes this Sunday as a champion is crowned at Phoenix Raceway (3 p.m. ET, NBC, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Peacock).