Chip Ganassi Handed One-Race Suspension, $30,000 Fine After Violation of COVID-19 Protocols at Daytona

NASCAR officials have handed down a one-race suspension to Chip Ganassi – team owner of Chip Ganassi Racing — for violating NASCAR’s COVID-19 safety protocols last weekend at Daytona International Speedway.

Ganassi violated Section 12.8.1.b of the NASCAR Rule Book, under member conduct guidelines that includes the compliance of NASCAR’s COVID-19 event procedures. NASCAR Officials said that Ganassi’s penalty was “for bringing into the competition area a non-essential individual that was restricted from the footprint.”

In addition to the one-race suspension, Ganassi was also fined $30,000. Unless an appeal is to be heard, Ganassi will be barred from attending this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series event at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The organization will still be able to field their two entries in the NASCAR Cup Series for drivers Kurt Busch (No. 1) and Ross Chastain (No. 42)

Along with Ganassi, two NASCAR Cup Series crew chiefs were fined $10,000 after their cars were found to have one unsecured lug but in Sunday’s post-race lug check. Adam Stevens – crew chief for race winner Christopher Bell — and Jeremy Bullins – crew chief for fifth-place finishing Brad Keselowski — were penalized by NASCAR.