NASCAR Cup Series managing director Brad Moran joined the “Hauler Talk” podcast to explain why Chris Buescher’s team was given an L1 penalty after finishing eighth at Kansas Speedway.
The rule violations were found when Buescher’s No. 17 Ford was inspected at the NASCAR R&D Center this week. Moran said the maximum 2 inches of reinforcement behind the front bumper foam had been exceeded.
“Unfortunately, the No. 17 did not meet the rule and had a larger area than what is permitted to be bonded into the nose piece,” Moran said. “They can work in that area, but they went too far would be the simplest terms of putting it.”
The Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing team was penalized 60 driver and owner points, five driver and owner playoff points and fined $75,000. Crew chief Scott Graves also will be suspended from the All-Star Race and the Coca-Cola 600.
RELATED: Updated Cup Series standings
NASCAR has meted out harsher L2 penalties for modified parts, and Moran explained why this penalty fell into the L1 category.
“As the car was being developed, we recognized we were doing damage to the nose of the car and didn’t want to be using up good parts (on repairs),” Moran said. “We put out communications that were very clear and specific that teams could strengthen behind the foam, which is where there was cracking and damage during the races.
“It was an area around the foam that you’re allowed 2 inches, and it was beyond that, which is a rule violation. They were allowed to modify that area but not to the extent they did, and that’s why it turned it into an L1.” …
The latest episode of “Hauler Talk” also recapped last weekend at Kansas, where numerous Cup teams had tire trouble in practice and the race. NASCAR managing director of racing communications Mike Forde explained how Goodyear conducts “pressure sweeps” to set minimum tire regulations by using predictive computer modeling to determine durability for certain camber and PSI (pounds per square inch) settings. At Kansas, the minimum PSI for the left rear tire was 22 pounds, but Forde said Goodyear confirmed several teams were running well below that.
Forde said NASCAR doesn’t enforce or officiate Goodyear’s minimum tire pressures because “we get that teams are pushing the envelope. It adds strategy and makes it lot more interesting. … We trust the teams to police themselves. They don’t want to get the drivers hurt. There’s been an incredible emphasis on safety over the last two decades, and teams are part of that. They’re not going to put drivers in an unsafe position just for the sake of speed and winning.” …
During the podcast, NASCAR senior director of racing communications Amanda Ellis provided a peek into a drivers-only meeting held last Saturday at Kansas. Among the topics were the logistics for the Mexico City race next month and a new aerodynamic device for superspeedway racing.
Other topics covered during the 14th episode of “Hauler Talk,” which explores competition issues in NASCAR:
— Why Layne Riggs was disqualified for an improperly secured bed cover after finishing second in the Truck race at Kansas.
— How NASCAR determined Dawson Sutton intentionally caused a yellow to earn a two-lap penalty.
— A review of the qualifying and race formats for the 2025 All-Star Race.
Click on the embed above to listen or search for “Hauler Talk” wherever you download podcasts to hear it on your phone, tablet or mobile device.
Nate Ryan has written about NASCAR since 1996 while working at the San Bernardino Sun, Richmond Times-Dispatch, USA TODAY and for the past 10 years at NBC Sports Digital. He is a contributor to the new “Hauler Talk” show on the NASCAR Podcast Network. He also has covered various other motorsports, including the IndyCar and IMSA series.